COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew announced today that it has been awarded a pair of national club honors. The Crew won the PROMAXBDA Sports Media Marketing Award for Best Spot for the television commercial entitled “Family,” while Crew Stadium was named Sports Turf Managers Association’s 2013 Field of the Year.



WATCH: “Family” – winners of PROMAXBDA Sports Media Marketing Award for Best Spot.



The 2013 Sports Media Marketing Awards were announced in New York City on November 19 and the Crew was one of nine MLS teams recognized. Of the five finalists, the Crew’s “I’m a Fortress” television spot – focusing on Crew Stadium as the United States Men’s National Team’s spiritual home – was also nominated.



“It’s an honor to receive this award and to be recognized by the highly competitive sports industry for our efforts in branding the Crew,” said Crew Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Malo. “A lot of the credit needs to go to our creative partners, Space Junk Media, for doing such a great job in conceptualizing and producing this award-winning spot that really captured the essence of our brand.”



The field honor for the Crew is the second time the club has won the award since 2010 and first under the direction of Weston Appelfeller, the Crew’s Director of Stadium Grounds. The award, given annually since 1992, recognizes association members that manage soccer, baseball, football, softball and other sporting fields at the professional, collegiate or schools and parks level.



WATCH: “Setting the Stage” – how Crew Stadium’s field is prepared ahead of an MLS match.



“We are extremely excited to receive this distinction,” said Crew Director of Stadium Grounds Weston Appelfeller. “We put a lot of time and effort into making our pitch the best it can be and to be recognized for our work is truly an honor.”



The Black & Gold open their 19th season in Major League Soccer on Saturday, March 8 at D.C. United. The Crew’s home schedule begins with a visit from the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, March 22. 2014 season tickets, group tickets, premier seating and 10-match plans are already on sale, along with a special Holiday Pack, while information for purchasing single-game tickets for all Crew regular-season home games will be released at later date.