Louisville, Ky., September 21, 2012 - When the Louisville Cardinals swing their bats next February, they'll be hitting home runs to a larger crowd than ever thanks to the work of Southern Bleacher Company, based in Graham, Texas, in collaboration with architects Rosser International of Atlanta and local contractors Abel Construction.

Southern Bleacher was selected earlier this year to provide seating for the expansion of the University of Louisville's Jim Patterson Stadium at Third Street and Central Avenue, which began on June 15. The project includes doubling the number of chair back seats to 3,000, bringing the stadium's total seating to 4,000. The project will also add a terrace above chair back seating and a two-tiered ground level terrace, add a visiting team locker room and double the stadium's media and hospitality areas.

When completed, the Jim Patterson Stadium will be largest ballpark in the BIG EAST conference. Noting that the expansion will allow Louisville to host NCAA Regional and Super Regional games without temporary bleachers and will help in player recruitment, Louisville's head baseball coach Dan McDonnell was quoted in a University press release (http://bit.ly/UuDtZl) saying that the project will "solidify our baseball program as one of the nation's elites" and help Louisville in going after "the best talent around the country."

Southern Bleacher vice president Garrett Pettus acknowledged the company's role on this project: "We are always glad for the opportunity to be fairly evaluated on projects of this nature and size. Collegiate venues push us to new levels and allow us to show our capabilities and experience compared to our competitors." Pettus added, "Based on the design work of the architect and engineer, we were able to represent our work at a competitive price and be selected against strong local competition."

Louisville's NCAA Division I baseball team is among nation's top 25, with a longtime average of more than 43 wins per season. In their 2012 season, the Cardinals won their third BIG EAST Conference regular season championship in four years and advanced to their fifth NCAA Regional in six years.

The Jim Patterson Stadium expansion is scheduled for completion in February 2013.

About Southern Bleacher Company
Southern Bleacher Company is the nation's largest and most experienced manufacturer of spectator seating, providing new construction and renovations for major league and university stadiums, NASCAR facilities, rodeo arenas and high school sports fields across the United States. Family-owned since its first day of business in 1946, the company has worked with architects, engineers, planning committees and contractors over three generations to set the standard of excellence in the design and manufacturing of entertainment venues, drawing on vast experience in building-code and safety requirements, accessibility issues and optimal lines of sight. Southern Bleacher's comprehensive services include budget analysis, estimates, proposal drawing and specifications, provided at no cost to create facilities that are aesthetically pleasing, spectator-friendly and cost effective.

Southern Bleacher Media Contact:
Garrett Pettus
Vice President, Southern Bleacher
gpettus@southernbleacher.com
(800) 433-0912