New Lacrosse Equipment Throws Parents An “Assist” |
As local high schools gear up for the lacrosse season, parents are flinching – not from the action but from the potential post-game mess. Players unknowingly trap rubber pellets, grass and dirt in their cleats, which later leave a trail wherever the player walks. Clean-up on carpets, ceramic tile and wood flooring can become a regular “back-breaker.” In fact, the rubber pellets can even melt in the fans of many vacuum cleaners.
Now, players can throw their parents an “assist” with Turf Dawg, an invention by a young Fairfield-based company that keeps debris from entering cleats or sneakers during practice or competition. The Darien Sport Shop recently discovered the product and will be premiering Turf Dawg this spring at its store on 1127 Boston Post Road in Darien.
“We are always looking for the latest equipment to offer our student athletes,” said Steve Zangrillo, Jr., son of founder Stephen Zangrillo and head of the Youth & Team Sports department at the Darien Sport Shop. “Turf Dawg is an ingenious way to keep the turf on the playing field and not in players’ cars or homes. Another great benefit to this product is that it keeps players comfortable during action as well. I think Turf Dawg will generate a lot of excitement among the local teams this year.”
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| Fleming Portrait Design |
Turf Dawg’s design uses polyester-coated neoprene to cover the shoe and hold it in place with the shoe's laces and Velcro strips on the product's underside. The four-grommet design provides different lacing options and Turf Dawg’s neoprene exterior affords easy customization to display a team or school’s logo and colors. Darien Sport Shop will have white versions on hand to create samples for local FCIAC teams.
Zangrillo says the product may be used for a variety of other sports and activities, including: track and cross country, football, soccer, baseball and softball.
Turf Dawgs were invented by Fairfield natives and local lacrosse players Chris Parisi and Mike Mulvey. Parisi has been a social studies teacher, football and lacrosse coach in the district since 1994. His first coaching job was at Staples High School after finishing an internship with the New England Patriots. Currently he coaches lacrosse at Fairfield Ludlowe High School and lives in Fairfield with his family. Mulvey taught English and was the head coach of Fairfield High Lacrosse. He currently resides in Jacksonville with his family and is the head lacrosse coach at the Bolles School.
For more information on Turf Dawgs, contact the Darien Sport Shop at (203) 655-2575, log on to www.dariensport.com, or visit the Youth & Team Sports department located on the third floor at 1127 Post Road in Darien.
The Darien Sport Shop has been a landmark in the Darien downtown business district since it was founded in 1946 by Steve Zangrillo. After more than six decades of service to the community, what started as a single room sporting goods store has grown to include specialty departments offering men’s, women’s and children’s fashions, several designer boutiques and a premier collection of active sports apparel, sports equipment and one of Fairfield County’s favorite ski shops. The Darien Sport Shop is dedicated to being a good neighbor in the communities it serves and helps others through numerous outreach initiatives. For more information, please contact the Darien Sport Shop at (203) 655-2575 or log on to
www.dariensport.com.
