Building better courts

By Jesse Sanchez.

Discover how a niche industry shapes the future of sports construction.

In this episode of CoatingsCast, host Karen Edwards sat down with Tom Magner, director of product management at California Sports Surfaces, to explore the history, growth and contributions of the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), a key organization in the sports surfacing industry. Tom shared his insights on the organization’s modest beginnings and how it has become a vibrant industry association that continues to impact the field.

Tom traced the roots of ASBA to a 1965 gathering of tennis court and track builders who sought to exchange their most effective strategies. “There was a handful of builders from around the country that wanted to compare best practices. They wanted to talk to other people who did what they do,” he said. Initially known as the U.S. Tennis Court and Track Builders Association, it has since expanded to include various sports surfaces, rebranding in 2004 to better reflect its broader scope.

The ASBA has grown significantly, with its annual Technical Meeting drawing over 1,400 attendees in 2023. Tom noted the meeting's value, describing it as a hub for knowledge sharing and networking. “The bread and butter of that are the classroom sessions,” he explained. During the Technical Meeting, attendees choose from topics such as environmental impacts, asphalt paving and business management. “I’ve been going for 25 years, and I’ve learned something every time,” Tom shared.

Notably, Tom highlighted the collaborative spirit among members, even among competitors. Stressing the sense of community and mutual support within this niche industry, he stated, "It’s a club of people that can relate to the challenges you deal with every day.”

With its efforts to address challenges like evolving asphalt technology and its embrace of inclusivity and innovation, ASBA continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the sports building sector.  

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to discover how this specialized community is making a big impact on the surfaces we play on every day.