Field of the Year: Moyer Sports Complex | Field 3

Moyer Sports Complex | Field 3 in Salem was the recipient of the 2025 VSFMA K-12 Schools Field of the Year Award. Jim Farmer, Complex Manager for the City of Salem, shared a few words about this win.

What are you most proud of with this win, and/or what do you think stands out most about your winning field?
We’re proud to be recognized by Virginia SFMA because of the high caliber members of the organization. For them to think we’ve done well is very special to us.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced with the winning field and how have you approached those challenges?
The biggest challenge for us is maintaining quality turf with an amount of play that is extremely high. Having over 400 events on that turf annually is challenging.
How has your career benefited from being a member of VSFMA?
Thanks for what you do and for the great opportunities this organization provides. Being a part of the organization provides networking and resources that are invaluable.

Now is the time to be working on your 2026 Field of the Year application - learn more https://vsfma.org/VSFMA_Field_of_the_Year

Blacksburg Field Day Registration 2026

The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation welcomes you to one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Virginia Tech Blacksburg Field Day, taking place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Center. 

To kick things off, there are two special events on Monday, August 24th:

GOATLEY RULES GOLF TOURNAMENT (3:00 PM)

Blacksburg Country Club

NETWORKING WELCOME DINNER (6:00 PM)

Blacksburg Country Club

REGISTRATION LINKS:

Individual: https://bit.ly/4f86qsE

Vendor/Sponsor: https://bit.ly/4vl2WsI

Then continue the experience of Tuesday, August 25th:

BLACKSBURG FIELD DAY (8:00 AM)

Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Center

REGISTRATION LINKS:

Individual: https://bit.ly/4f86qsE

Vendor/Sponsor: https://bit.ly/4vl2WsI

Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge, strengthen your professional connections, or simply enjoy time with colleagues, this is an event you won't want to miss.

Field of the Year: Ramblewood Athletic Complex Soccer Field

Ramblewood Athletic Complex Soccer Field in Harrisonburg was the recipient of the 2025 VSFMA Parks & Recreation Field of the Year Award. Todd Campbell, Athletic Field Turf Manager for Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation, shared a few words about this win.

What are you most proud of with this win, and/or what do you think stands out most about your winning field?
I am most proud with this crew's mindset and determination to buy into the process of getting the field back up to par. What stands out the most is the field was treated as an open field on top of the permitted use, so its ability to recover from the constant wear and tear of high use pressure was rewarding.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced with the winning field and how have you approached those challenges?
The biggest challenge we faced was the high amount of traffic from permitted play and the unpermitted play, and facing an uphill battle with an old a variety of Bermuda grass and a narrow growing season paired with a drought.
How has your career benefited from being a member of VSFMA?
VSFMA has benefited my career by expanding my network of sports field managers and their vendors. Being sort of new to the state it has provided me with a network of professionals that are always willing to help.

Now is the time to be working on your 2026 Field of the Year application - learn more https://vsfma.org/VSFMA_Field_of_the_Year

2025 Field of the Year Winners!

As we gear up for a new Field of the Year awards season, we want to recognize the 2025 winners. Stay tuned for features on each winner in the coming months! 

VSFMA Parks and Recreation Field of the Year
Ramblewood Athletic Complex Soccer Field
2025

Learn more about Field of the Year Applications: https://vsfma.org/VSFMA_Field_of_the_Year

Get ready for Field of the Year!

As we begin looking ahead to Field of the Year applications this fall, here are words of wisdom from the Awards Committee Chair, Bryan Sheetz:

"Take many pictures throughout the year. Start a slide show of pictures from January and simply list the date and what is happening. As field managers, time can easily get away, but pictures are worth a thousand words. Pictures do not lie- good or bad.  They show greatness or imperfections that need to be addressed. Keeping all of the pictures in a Powerpoint helps document the year’s progress. Also, keep up with applications in a google document. Once the VSFMA Field of the Year application is opened, you have a year's worth of pictures and every application through the year at your finger tips. Many people already do this, but it truly is a gift to see the progress of your crew’s hard work and dedication through the year!"

Click HERE to learn more about the VSFMA Field of the Year process and application requirements.

SFMA Rising Star Program

The National SFMA would like to introduce everyone to their Rising Star Program. This program recognizes emerging professionals in the sports field management industry who are making a meaningful impact early in their careers. It’s a strong opportunity to elevate the next generation of leaders and highlight the depth of talent across our profession.

They are currently seeking nominations, with a submission deadline in mid-June 2026.

How you can support:

• Submit a nomination for a deserving young professional you know
• Share the nomination link with your network and encourage submissions
• Promote the opportunity within your chapters, committees, and industry contacts

Selected Rising Stars will be recognized publicly, and we anticipate celebrating them during the 2027 SFMA Conference & Exhibition in Tampa, FL.

You can review the program details and submit nominations here:  https://sportsfieldmanagementonline.com/2026/04/10/nominate-a-rising-star-2/18981/

Thank you in advance for helping us identify and elevate these emerging leaders. Your outreach and participation will directly strengthen the future of our profession.

Pre-Season Prep at CarMax Stadium

Enjoy these behind the scenes photos of prep done at CarMax stadium! Be sure to join us on May 14th for our Field & Demo Day to see the new space in person.

Social Share for Game Day Tickets

Tag us on any field-related posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or email photos with a brief caption to [email protected]. Make sure you're following us on your social platforms to see what other turf professionals are up to and to stay up to date on our 2026 events!

Winners will be selected in April, June, and August

2026 Event Lineup

3rd annual Virginia Turfgrass Road Show

The 3rd annual Virginia Turfgrass Road Show takes place at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, 42 Jackie Robinson Way in Fredericksburg, VA on Wed, February 25. 

Certified Pesticide Applicator recertification credits will be available for Categories 3A, 3B, 5A, 8, 10, and 60 and Virginia nutrient management CEUs will also be available. Pesticide applicator credits have also been granted for applicators in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and West Virginia. Geoff Rinehart from the University of Maryland will join all members of the VT Turfgrass Team and area Virginia Cooperative Extension agents in delivering this full day of informational updates and recertification credit opportunities.

Lunch is included as part of the registration fee and a variety of vendors will be present displaying their latest products and services.  This educational program will have something of interest to all segments of the turfgrass and green industries! Register at https://vaturf.org/road-shows/

Thomas Dale High School wins SFMA Sporting Grounds Field of the Year

Congratulations to Bryan Sheetz and his student team at Thomas Dale High School for winning the National SFMA Sporting Grounds Field of the Year for Ed Karpus Field!

Prep for 2026 Field of the Year Awards - tips for working with your suppliers!

Field of the Year Applications open in the fall, but NOW is the time to plan for the year ahead! Respecting your suppliers and vendors is essential for maintaining smooth operations, especially when it comes to keeping sports fields in top shape. Here are some tips on how to build strong, mutually respectful relationships with your suppliers and vendors:

1. Plan Ahead: Know what products and supplies you'll need and communicate your schedule early to avoid delays.
2. Set Clear Expectations: Be transparent about product quality, delivery timelines, and special requirements.
3. Communicate Regularly: Keep suppliers updated on changes in your needs or schedule.
4. Respect Deadlines: Order on time and respect delivery schedules to avoid last-minute issues.
5. Build Long-Term Relationships: Treat suppliers as part of your team to foster trust and cooperation.
6. Show Appreciation: Acknowledge their efforts with gratitude, positive feedback, or recognition.
7. Pay On Time: Timely payments help maintain trust and priority service.
8. Stay Flexible: Work with suppliers to resolve any delays or issues that arise.
9. Involve Your Team: Collaborate with your team to ensure everyone’s on the same page when ordering supplies.
10. Provide Feedback: Share how products performed, offering constructive feedback when necessary.

We wish everyone a successful 2026 and can't wait to see your applications! If you didn't already see the 2025 winners, check them out online and stay tuned for feature stories on each field.

Introducing Jared King as College/University Director

We are excited to welcome Jared King as the College/University Director for the VSFMA Executive Board. As a 2025 Field of the Year winner, Jared brings valuable knowledge and experience to our organization. 

Jared grew up in upstate New York playing sports his whole life and wanted to stay in and have a career in athletics somehow. He served a voluntary 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines from 2000-2002 and learned to speak the Tagalog language. He played football and went to college at Hudson Valley CC in New York as well as Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia.  After graduating from college with a degree in Business Management & Leadership, Jared worked as an Assistant Superintendent at two golf courses in Richmond and Hampton, Virginia and then moved down to North Carolina to work on Wake Forest University's athletic fields. While at Wake, he also worked on the grounds crew for the city's minor league team, the Winston-Salem Dash. After six years in Winston-Salem, he became the Director of Athletic Facilities at Southern Virginia University and after five years moved over to supervise all of Post grounds at the Virginia Military Institute, including their athletic fields. Jared then managed The Ranch for two years, which is a 180-acre property formerly known as the "Vista Links Golf Course" in Buena Vista. He arrived at Washington & Lee University in September of 2024 and continues to oversee three fields that the Men's & Women's Soccer teams and the Women's Lacrosse team use. He and his wife have three kids, the oldest of which is studying at Southern Virginia University. 

2025 Symposium

The 2025 Symposium and Trade Show at Liberty University's Williams Stadium was a huge success! VSFMA is grateful to all of our members and sponsors who joined us for a wonderful day of learning and camaraderie. Thank you to presenters Dr. Chase Straw, Ryan Bearss, and Ava Veith for fantastic presentations. View the full photo gallery online and look for membership renewal emails in January. 

VSFMA now on Instagram!

Bryan Sheetz wins Chesterfield Teacher of the Year

From Band Rooms to Ballfields — The Relentless Work Ethic of Chesterfield Teacher of the Year, Bryan Sheetz

Written by Dakota Hensel

When Bryan Sheetz walks across Thomas Dale High School’s football field in Chester, Virginia,  it is impossible to tell where his job technically ends. The lines blur — the mowing, the painting,  the teaching, the late nights after everyone leaves — they all feel like the same mission. 

And that mission is the part he loves most. 

“Grass doesn’t know it’s a day off,” said Sheetz. “It still has to get done. There are still games.” 

Sheetz — who grew up in central Virginia, graduating from the same Thomas Dale halls he now  teaches inside — took one of the most unexpected professional paths in the high school turfgrass  world. He started as a musician. A serious one. He played up and down the East Coast, studied  music at Longwood University, wrote percussion books for marching band programs, and fully  expected that his future was going to be performance, grad school, touring, and professional  music. 

Then student teaching happened. 

“I fell in love with teaching younger kids,” he said. “And at the time, I was also doing high  school marching band… I got to kind of work with both ends of the spectrum. I always stayed  away from middle school,” he laughs. “But elementary and high school is what I kind of enjoyed  the most.” 

Sheetz spent 19 years teaching elementary before shifting into high school turf education. The  move wasn’t in the original life plan. But if you talk to turf leaders nationally, the pivot has  become his advantage, not his detour. 

He understands education deeply. He understands teaching deeply. 

And that is what turned him into Chesterfield County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. 

“I always laugh, I’m like, I’m the guy that grows grass, paints things and plays in the dirt,” said  Sheetz. “And to win Teacher of the Year… is an honor, because I work with these people and  see what they do day in and day out.” 

At Thomas Dale there are around 200 staff members. It’s easy for an elective, outdoors, hands on program to get overshadowed in that math/chemistry/English universe. But that is exactly  why his students win. 

“I think the biggest thing that sets me apart is… I don’t mind stepping in there,” Sheetz said.  “Where a lot of teachers stand back… I’m constantly hands on. I literally have paint on all of my  clothes.”

This is the part people outside turf don’t always get. Turf is all about learning by doing. Turf is  all about troubleshooting in the moment. In turf you don’t have the luxury to grade during class  while kids “work independently.” Turf shows failures in front of thousands of spectators, and  Sheetz teaches that honesty early. 

“I always tell my kids, when you come into the program, your biggest goal is to outwork me,” said Sheetz. 

That internal compass — relentlessly building authentic work ethic, ownership, integrity — is  why Sheetz also was awarded an REB Award, one of the region’s most competitive recognitions  for excellence and innovation in public education. 

Budget limitations? He turns them into professional portfolio. 

The broken 1998 Toro mower. The endless seed cycles. The storage limitations. The gator that  only arrived recently. “There are always challenges,” said Sheetz. There are always 14-to-16- hour days. There are always multiple playoff games in between storms. 

But the most important part is not that he survives it. The part that matters is that his students see  it. Internalize it. Carry it forward. And they are. 

“One of my kids just applied to Virginia Tech and NC State for turfgrass,” said Sheetz. “Another  just did an internship with Chesterfield Parks & Rec and got hired full time.” 

Sheetz is one of the best connectors in the turfgrass teacher world nationally. 

Last year he and his son flew to the West Coast and because of his relationship capital in the turf  industry, he ended up inside USC football facilities, the Coliseum, and Dodger Stadium. 

“Being a big Dodgers fan… I reached out to a couple of the guys out there, and they’re like,  yeah, come on,” said Sheetz. “He picked us up… took us behind the scenes… just the  connections of people are huge.” 

Major league, minor league, college, high school — it doesn’t matter. 

“If you’re in the turf industry, you’re in the turf industry,” Sheetz said. “You’re all kind of in the  same lingo. You all deal with the same problems.” 

Every great teacher has a philosophy so clean you can name it. Sheetz’s philosophy is structural  — not sentimental. 

Integrity. Work ethic. Ownership. Pride. And community. 

“My favorite part is watching the kids… seeing what we do every day and seeing how they  utilize the field… and just watching the kids be proud,” said Sheetz.

In his classroom there is a sign on the back of a door that says: 

“Today, someone will see your work for the first time.” 

He said the athletes and parents from other schools are what drive home the reality for kids that  their work is visible. “In a math class, only the teacher sees it,” said Sheetz. “Here, today  somebody is going to see what you did.” 

That is the integrity loop. 

And that is why Bryan Sheetz is one of the most quietly influential teachers in Virginia. This is not just a turf story. 

This is a story about a teacher who turned earth, sweat, and literal dirt into one of the most  academically and professionally fertile programs in a public school system. This is about a man  who keeps building bridges inside an industry where access is currency — and then hands the  keys to teenagers before they ever graduate. 

This is a story about a musician who found a better stage.

Ava Veith at 2025 Symposium

Ava is a former Division I women’s soccer player and a current master’s student at Virginia Tech, where her research focuses on how variability in athletic field conditions impacts athlete safety and performance. This past summer, she worked with the KC Current professional women’s soccer team as their Playing Surface Data Technician. Passionate about bridging athletics and research, Ava plans to pursue a Ph.D. and build a career dedicated to helping field managers make data-driven decisions that improve surface consistency and safety.

Ava will be presenting her master’s research, which includes three integrated projects exploring how variability in athletic field conditions affects surface performance and athlete response. The first two studies focus on hybrid bermudagrass fields, aiming to quantify how common issues such as spring dead spot and winter injury influence surface performance, as well as ball- and athlete-surface interactions. The third study broadens the scope to examine variability within and between both natural and synthetic turf surfaces. In this study, athletes performed sport-specific drills while equipped with wearable technology and completed surveys to evaluate how different surface characteristics impact performance and perception. Together, these studies quantify the impact of surface variability on field performance, the athlete, and perceptions of field quality. 

Don't miss out on your chance to join us - register now SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION

Ryan Bearss at 2025 Symposium

Ryan Bearss has been both a student and researcher in the Turfgrass industry for 12 years with practical and research experience in the LCO sector, weeds, general and golf turf management, sod production, and most recently, sports field systems.  Ryan earned his master's degree from Michigan State University in 2020 and will complete his PhD in spring of 2026 where after, he hopes to continue his research.  

At next month's Symposium, Ryan will be sharing a behind the scenes look at preparations for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Be sure to register to join us - December 3 Symposium Registration

Dr. Chase Straw at 2025 Symposium

Dr. Chase Straw earned his B.S. in Turfgrass Science from the University of Kentucky, where he gained experience managing sports fields at both the collegiate (University of Kentucky) and professional (Boston RedSox and Cincinnati Bengals) levels. He then obtained M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Georgia. After two years as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Minnesota, he became an Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Management and Physiology at Texas A&M University in February 2020. After nearly five years at Texas A&M, Chase joined the Penn State University Turfgrass Program in January 2025 as Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Soils and Director of the Center for Sports Surface Research. He holds a 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% extension role. His research focuses on technology-driven strategies to enhance golf courses and sports fields. Currently, he also serves as the Academic Director on the Sports Field Management Association's Board of Directors.

For our first presentation at this year's Symposium, Dr. Straw will provide an overview of a research proposal to be submitted to the USDA titled "Optimizing Investment, Environmental Impact, and User Health of Community-Level Sports Fields." The proposal aims to explore innovative management practices and decision-making tools for natural turfgrass, synthetic turf, and hybrid turf systems at the community level, including K–12 schools and parks and recreation facilities. Project objectives include developing a nationwide data collection system, evaluating economic and environmental impacts, and assessing human health outcomes. The presentation will highlight the proposed methodologies and their potential to generate science-based information that supports informed decision-making for the construction and management of these vital community spaces.

Be sure to register to join us - December 3, 2025 Event Registration

Field of the Year Application Extension

You asked - we answered! We are extending 2025 Field of the Year Applications through October 15th! Don't miss out on this great opportunity to showcase the story of your field.

Learn more and access the application: https://vsfma.org/VSFMA_Field_of_the_Year

Turfgrass Weed Management Survey

VSMFA Members and associates are invited to participate in a survey on site-specific weed control practices in turfgrass management - Site-Specific Weed Control in Turfgrass

Your feedback will help guide future research priorities, inform technology development, and support industry initiatives.

The survey is being conducted by Bholuram Gurjar, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Texas A&M University, Madan Sapkota, PhD Student at Texas A&M University, and Chase Straw, Assistant Professor at Penn State University. Mr. Straw is one of the speakers at the 2025 Symposium being held at Liberty University on December 3, 2025.

All responses will remain confidential. Results will be shared upon request, and the researchers plan to publish findings in reputable turfgrass industry trade magazines and scientific publications.

The survey will remain open until October 31, 2025.

Virginia Cooperative Extension: VT-STEM and CTP Programs

Virginia Tech School of Turfgrass Ecology and Management (VT-STEM) and Certified Turfgrass Professional (CTP Programs)

The Virginia Tech Turfgrass team offers an affordable virtual 13-week training program covering all areas of turfgrass management called VT-STEM. The School was developed primarily to serve the educational needs of those seeking professional advancement that have (or are interested in) jobs in any segment of the turfgrass industry, but don’t currently have the time or resources to pursue formal 2 or 4-year turf degrees. It also serves as a comprehensive training program for Master Gardener Volunteers seeking to become more knowledgeable as a science-based turfgrass resource for their industry clientele. The School runs from early November thru mid-February, and offers new training topics every week that are presented by VT faculty and staff in both synchronous and asynchronous formats that work around student schedules. Written chapters and pre-recorded training lectures are provided each week and the students are tasked with both pre-training and post-training quizzes to assess their mastery of the subject matter from the training. The VT Turf Team and invited guests from various industry segments (Academia, Golf, Sports Turf, Lawn Care, Sod Production, Service/Sales etc.) meet with the students by Zoom every Wednesday night from 7-9 p.m. eastern during the School year (all meetings are recorded for later viewing). Students that complete all VT-STEM requirements receive the STEM badge and are then eligible to sit for the Virginia Cooperative Extension Certified Turfgrass Professional (CTP) program.

What will I learn if I participate in VT-STEM?

This program interacts directly with the VT Turfgrass Team and industry guests over 13 weeks, covering: 

·         Cool and Warm-season turfgrass identification, establishment, growth and development

·         Soil science

·         Irrigation and turfgrass water requirements

·         Nutrient and cultural management programs

·         Pest identification and management

What are the benefits of becoming a CTP?

·         Understanding turf = better problem solving

·         Credibility recognized by industry leaders

·         Professional and personal development opportunities

·         Job performance reward potential

·         An expanded network of colleagues

Registration is now open at https://tinyurl.com/VT-Turfgrass-School. School begins on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 and the formal training program runs weekly through mid-February 2026 (with time off to celebrate the holidays). For qualified students, the CTP testing program is available in virtual format from mid-February thru March 31, 2026. Please contact Mike Goatley ([email protected]) or Dan Sandor ([email protected]) for more specific VT-STEM or CTP questions. There are discounts available for veterans, first-responders, extension personnel, teachers and athletic directors. Contact us to see if you qualify for a discount.

2025 Field of the Year Application is Open!

The Virginia Sports Field Management Association (VSFMA) recognizes its members and their colleagues for their dedication to providing safe, playable sports field conditions.

Applications for the VSFMA Field of the Year Award are due on October 1st each year and will be evaluated based on a 12-month calendar cycle from October 1st through September 30th leading up to the entry deadline. Applicants must be good standing VSFMA members.

Applications will be judged based on a number of factors to include intensity of field use, staff size, budget, and challenges. As applicants will not be judged solely on the overall aesthetic look of their field, applicants are encouraged to show the good, bad and ugly throughout the year. 

The winning teams will be determined by December 1st and presented at the Annual VSFMA Symposium. They will receive a field banner, plaque, press coverage, and lunch for their team (up to 10 crew members).

One Winner for each of the Four (4) Categories

College and University

Parks and Recreation

K-12 Schools

Professional

Information Required:

• Name of field and facility

• Name of the field manager

• Name(s) of staff

• Nominator’s name (if different than the field manager)

• Contact information including name, title, address, phone number, and email

• Type of field (i.e. baseball, football, multipurpose, etc.)

• Skill level of athletes using the field (i.e. professional, high school, community, etc.)

• Age of field

• Describe any recent field renovations

• Number of events held on the field during the year (an event is any field usage including practices)

• Include the types of events

• Describe the soil composition (i.e. native soil, sand-based)

• Describe the grass type (i.e. bluegrass, ryegrass, mix, etc.)

• Describe the drainage system

• Describe the method of field irrigation

• Provide the annual budget for the field

• Outline the annual maintenance program for the field

• Provide any field challenges faced during the year

• Explain why your field deserves to be recognized as the VSFMA Field of the Year

• Include color pictures (10 maximum) of the field from various angles 

Board Member of the Month - James Petrella

James grew up playing baseball from the age of 3 through high school and loved the sport but never really thought about the field maintenance involved. While attending the University of Akron pursuing a sports management degree, he needed an internship to graduate and was able to get in with the Akron RubberDucks minor league team. Getting hands on experience with all aspects of the stadium James realized he loved the turf side of caring for a baseball field, so after graduation he stayed on with the RubberDucks as a grounds assistant.

In 2017 he decided to return home to Washington state, and he interned with the grounds crew at the Seahawks practice facility, but after just one year he returned to Akron to be with his now wife. In 2020 James landed his first heads groundkeeper job with the Altoona Curve, affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2022 he was offered a position with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at the Diamond, and he has been there as the Director of Field Operations since.

James is serving on the VSFMA Executive Board in an at-large position, and he wanted to join the board to grow his leadership capabilities. Over 10 years in the industry James is excited to grow his connections and help connect others as well. He feels the community of sports field and turf managers is strong and can only get stronger by promoting careers within the industry to young professionals.

Blacksburg Field Day Registration 2025

Join in the 2025 Virginia Tech Turfgrass Field Day & Hokie Turf Summit—

two days of CONNECTING, DINING, & DISCOVERING, August 25–26 in Blacksburg! 

Secure your spot: https://givebutter.com/V6iMPD

Field of the Year Award Planning Tip

Board Member of the Month - Steve Ruckman

Steve grew up in New Albany, IN, a suburb of Louisville, KY. He grew up working on his family farm where they raised sheep and cattle and grew Christmas trees. Once old enough he became the main person mowing the grass between the trees. He would work to improve the turfgrass stand between the trees to prevent erosion or even try to slow the growth of the fescue so it wouldn’t affect the shape of the trees. When not working on the farm Steve played baseball and soccer. In high school Steve took care of his 9^th grade baseball field where he would be seen raking, watering, and fixing the clay areas before and after practices. He also spent time mowing the varsity soccer field which was part of his vocational class duties. This led him to pursue a career in turfgrass.

Steve attended Purdue University where he graduated with a Bachelor‘s degree in Turfgrass Science. During his college years Steve worked for Valhalla Golf Club for two years while the course was closed preparing for the 2008 Ryder Cup. He then changed paths and started his 15-year career in minor league baseball which includes working for the Cincinnati Reds’ and Philadelphia Phillies’ triple-A teams. Steve then moved to Richmond, VA in fall of 2009 to become the Director of Field Operations for the Richmond Flying Squirrels – San Francisco Giants’ double-A affiliate. He spent 10 years working for the Squirrels where he eventually became the Executive Director of Field and Ballpark Operations. In 2019 Steve began working for the County of Henrico’s Recreation and Parks department as the Division Supervisor of Sports Field Management where he managed 199 athletic fields that included synthetic and natural grass playing surfaces as well as general park grounds and other athletic courts. That role led him to his current position as Sports Field and Construction Manager for Innovative Turf Application and Consulting (ITAC, Inc). He developed an interest in becoming a contractor because he wanted to help fix problems with sports fields. He really enjoys working with athletic directors, coaches, and clients to find solutions—especially when there's the extra challenge of staying within budget.

After nearly a decade away, Steve decided to run for the VSFMA board again in at At-Large position, feeling that the experience he’s gained over the years puts him in a better position to give back. When he first moved to Virginia, he leaned heavily on the organization to grow professionally, and now he wants to pay it forward. He's proud of how sports field managers support each other like one big family and hopes to expand that sense of community to include coaches and athletic directors—helping spread the word that VSFMA is a valuable resource for anyone involved in sports field management.

27th Annual Women in the Green Industry Conference

Field of the Year Award Planning Tip

Learn More about Field of the Year: https://vsfma.org/VSFMA_Field_of_the_Year

Board Member of the Month - Will Cole

Will Cole is serving as the 2025-2026 VSFMA President. Will moved to Virginia during his sophomore year in high school where his family ran operations for a campground in Mathews County for 30 years. As a student Will played lots of sports – except baseball! His career in sports turf in Virginia began working in the sports turf division for York County. Soon Will met his wife who was in Richmond, and she had her heart set on settling in Roanoke. Will began working at Longwood University and after 2 years they were able to make the move out into Roanoke Valley. Will transitioned to working for Parks and Recreation with Roanoke County alongside Chad Kropff for about a year, then decided to take a break from the sports side and worked in turf management for the City’s transportation department. During this time, he began as a game day employee at the Salem Red Sox’s Carilion Clinic Field assisting Budgie Clark and Joey Elmore with turf management. Will decided it was time to go back into the Parks and Recreation world and worked at Rivers Edge Sports Complex for 3 years. He won the VSFMA Field of the Year award his 2nd year at the complex. Once Joey Elmore decided to leave Salem, Will was offered the job as Director of Field Operations. During his time at Carilion Clinic Field he has won the VSFMA Field of the Year Award for Professional Sports Facility as well as the Pioneer Athletic Field of Excellence two years in a row.

Will joined the Executive Board in March of 2024 filling an open At Large position, and he quickly became involved with the Awards committee having such great experience as a two-time winner himself. A few months later he stepped into the Vice President position, which led to president for the next term. He feels the Virginia chapter is strong on membership and sponsorship and wants to continue supporting growth by hosting field days in new regions and potentially adding some different events down the road. Will is also spearheading the Virginia chapter’s work on a Best Management Practices manual. His goal is to have our chapter be one of the most thriving across the country and make sure he ends his term with it in a better position than when he started.

Field of the Year Award Planning Tip

Click the link to learn more about Information required for the Field of the Year Application 

https://vsfma.org/VSFMA_Field_of_the_Year

Mike McKerr - College/University Director

Mike McKerr has been appointed to the position of College/University Director for the 2025-2026 VSFMA Executive Board. Mike currently serves as a Facilities & Operations Event Manager at William & Mary. His day-to-day responsibilities include oversight of their athletic facilities and being the event manager for 8 of their varsity sports. He is a graduate of Northwood University in Midland MI with a bachelor's degree in sport management and a master's in business administration. During his time at Northwood, he was a member of the football team, Student Athlete Advisory Committee President, and worked on the university's grounds crew for 3 years. As a member of the grounds crew, he managed all mowing and maintenance of NU's athletic fields. Prior to his time on Northwood's grounds crew Mike owned and operated a lawncare company for 5 years in his hometown of Lansing MI.

Chad Maddox wins Virginia K-12 Field of the Year

Written by Dakota Hensel

Behind the pristine grass, crisp white lines, and seamless transitions between seasons on Roanoke’s athletic fields is a story that rarely gets told — one about grit, growth, and a grassroots approach to sports turf management.
It’s the story of self-taught field manager, Chad Maddox, who’s spent the last two decades turning patches of grass into play-ready canvases for young athletes. And in 2024, after years of keeping his head down and his fields in tip-top shape, he earned recognition that confirmed what he and his small crew already knew: they’re among the best in the business. The “Field of the Year” plaque now hangs proudly on his office wall. But the journey to that moment began just up the road in Loudoun County, Virginia 21 years ago.

“I started out just painting lines on soccer fields,” said Maddox, recalling his earliest days with Loudoun County Parks and Rec. “We’d get work orders for 13 fields, three of them were game fields, the rest just practice. There weren’t many of us — it was a grind.” Sports were always a part of his life — baseball and football especially — but turf management wasn’t something he trained for in school. “I didn’t go to college. I learned on the job,” said Maddox. “Trial and error. Process of elimination. Just being out there every day, figuring it out.” His unofficial education was powered by mentorships. Names like Billy Coates and Tommy Reed still echo in his memory — men who weren’t just colleagues, but craftsmen who helped define modern field maintenance in the region. “Billy always said, ‘Do it right. Even when no one’s watching.’ That stuck with me.”

A move to Florida introduced him to the quirks of Bermuda grass and the pace of Southern turf care. “You could mess up, and the next day, it would bounce right back,” said Maddox with a laugh. That’s also where he helped establish a city’s athletic maintenance program from scratch — a preview of what he’d later do in Roanoke. When he and his wife decided to return to Virginia to raise their kids, he landed in Roanoke and found a system ripe for change. “At the time, all athletic field maintenance was contracted out,” said Maddox. “And what I saw being done — I knew we could do better.” He convinced school leaders to let him bring the work in-house. With a few strategic equipment purchases and a lot of elbow grease, he and his growing team began transforming the fields. “It was about proving ourselves,” said Maddox. “Once we showed what we could do, they trusted us with more.”

Today, he oversees about 28 acres of athletic fields — including high school football fields, baseball diamonds, practice fields, and middle school grounds. The turf varieties range from Patriot and Tahoma Bermuda to bluegrass and fescue, each requiring its own specialized care. “We even harvest our own sprigs for some of the Bermuda,” he said. “Nobody else around here grows Patriot Bermuda, so we had to figure it out ourselves.” But turf is only part of the job. He’s also responsible for playground maintenance and managing a team of seven. “I’ve got a great crew. Guys who love the work, ask questions, come to me with ideas,” said Maddox. “If you don’t have a team that cares, you’ll fail.”
That team dynamic played a critical role in winning Field of the Year. But for him, the accolade wasn’t just about aesthetics — it was about accountability. “I wanted to show the before and after. What we do to get a field from beat up to beautiful,” said Maddox. “And we did it 100% in-house. That’s something to be proud of.”

The biggest challenges? Communication and irrigation, he says. “Getting coaches to rotate fields, to understand why that matters — it takes constant communication,” said Maddox. “And irrigation? Something’s always breaking. You’ve got to be ready to water manually.” The new field at Patrick Henry High School is his next big project — a Tahoma Bermuda install being handled by LandTek, with irrigation work from AquaTurf. “I’m excited about it,” said Maddox. “Tahoma’s supposed to grow in fast, and I’m ready to learn how it behaves. Every grass type teaches you something new.” And while some in the industry shy away from sharing secrets, he believes relationships and openness are key to success. “You’ve got to talk to people. That’s how you learn about new products, new methods — even what not to do,” said Maddox. “I’m still learning, even after 21 years.”

The job isn’t without frustration. Finding passionate, dedicated workers is becoming harder. And shortcuts still tempt newcomers. “You have to do it right the first time,” Maddox emphasized. “Otherwise, you’re just making more work for yourself.” Even after all these years, his favorite part of the job remains the same: the end result. “Looking out and thinking, ‘We did that.’ Then hearing parents or teams from out of town say how great the fields look — that’s the real reward,” said Maddox. He dreams of one day earning similar honors for one of his baseball fields — a task that involves not just turf, but clay, lips, and perfectly sculpted mounds. “I love building mounds,” Maddox admitted with a smile. “It’s like art. Like sculpting.” As for what’s next, his goals aren’t focused on more awards — but on building capacity. “I’d love to get the whole crew certified in pesticide application. Right now, only two of us are,” said Maddox. “It’d give us more flexibility and less reliance on any one person.” In the end, the pride comes not from prestige, but from passion — for turf, for teamwork, and for making something better than you found it. “You’re not going to get rich in this job,” he said. “You just have to love what you do.”

Board Member of the Month - Trae Brown

Trae is serving as the 2025-2026 Executive Secretary - read on to learn about his journey in the industry!

Growing up, Trae could always be found in one of three places: the golf course, the baseball field, or his grandfather's farm. His love for both sports and agriculture was nurtured in these environments, eventually shaping his career path. At the age of 13, the head golf pro and one of Trae’s mentor’s who recognized Trae's enthusiasm and potential, offered him a part-time job at the local golf course. Believing he would turn his love for the game into a career in golf course management, Trae began learning all aspects of operations. It was during this time that he discovered his enjoyment of working with turf, which resonated deeply with his experiences on the farm alongside his grandfather.

At 16, when his family’s farm was sold for development into another golf course, Trae approached the superintendent and joined the grow-in team from the beginning. Working from the ground up, he gained hands-on experience that solidified his skills while fostering a strong professional relationship with the superintendent, who became a crucial mentor. Under the mentorship of this superintendent, Trae found his true passion. After high school, he chose to continue working in turf management at the golf course. Soon after, a nearby course was looking for an assistant, and Trae was recommended for the job. Unfortunately, after two years at the golf course, Trae was laid off due to an economic downturn. He then transitioned to turf management for sports fields in the Haymarket/Gainesville region of Prince William County. Following that, he moved on to work with Leesburg Parks & Recreation, and in 2021, he joined Loudoun County during the construction of Hal & Bernie Hanson Park. In August, Trae embraced a new challenge as a sales representative for Genesis. Motivated by his own experiences, Trae sought to bridge the gap between sales and the practical needs of turf managers. This role allowed him to connect directly with sports field managers, providing personalized support and resources they need to excel in their roles.

Recognizing the importance of professional development in the Parks & Recreation field, Trae joined the Virginia Sports Field Managers Association (VSFMA). He saw it as a valuable platform for growth and networking among local professionals. Throughout his career, Trae has noticed that many Parks & Recreation managers often overlook career development for maintenance staff, which can hinder their advancement. He aims to challenge this mindset, aspiring to be a familiar and approachable figure within the community who can unite field managers and promote the sharing of best practices. Trae is dedicated to uniting field managers and promoting collaboration. He believes the sports field
world is filled with talented individuals, and he seeks to inspire them to reach their fullest potential together. 

Todd Campbell wins Virginia Parks & Rec Field of the Year

Written by Dakota Hensel

In the quiet town of Milford, just a few miles from the storied baseball haven of Cooperstown, New York, a young boy fell in love with the hum of a lawn mower. That simple joy of mowing his yard would unwittingly plant the seeds for a future in sports turf management—a profession that would take Todd Campbell from high school soccer fields to winning awards. “I always liked mowing my yard,” said Todd Campbell, athletic field turf manager for City of Harrisonburg Parks & Rec. “It’s probably the most simpleton answer, but it's true.”

Campbell's path to becoming Harrisonburg, Virginia's standout sports turf manager was anything but linear. He began his academic journey at SUNY Cobleskill, originally aiming for a two-year degree in recreation and land management. However, what started as a plan to avoid full-time work, later turned into a passion for turf science and earned him a Bachelor of Technology in Plant Science with a concentration in sports turf and recreation area management. “I wasn’t really into school too much at first,” said Campbell. “But I knew I had to learn more if I wanted to make this a real career.” His early experiences reinforced that ambition. From laying sod for athletic field construction companies during college summers to working at historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, Campbell's resume quickly grew. In 2009, he landed a pivotal role with the Baltimore Orioles under renowned groundskeeper Nicole Sherry. “Nicole gave me the chance to do everything: dugouts, bullpens, mowing, irrigation—you name it. That hands-on experience was invaluable,” said Campbell.

Still, his most formative years may have been at the University of Florida, where Campbell served on the grounds crew for over a decade. There, he helped manage Florida's softball field and was part of a team that earned SFMA's national Field of the Year award in 2014. “It was under my boss, Jason Smith, and I learned so much from him,” said Campbell. “But deep down, I wanted to lead my own crew someday.” That dream became reality in 2023, when Campbell took over the sports fields in Harrisonburg. Less than two years later, he’s now led his team to win the Virginia SFMA Field of the Year award two years in a row. “It was something I really wanted to achieve as a leader,” said Campbell. “Again, it’s a team effort, but I wanted to be the one driving that culture, getting buy-in, and raising the standard.”

Campbell oversees about 10 fields, ranging from blue-muda hybrids to turf-type tall fescue mixes, and a patchwork of cool- and warm-season grasses. The diversity of surfaces is only matched by the diversity of challenges—none more pressing than weather. “The droughts here in the valley have been brutal,” said Campbell. “There were times we barely had any irrigation. We were using a water reel until we could get a new pump installed.” Despite the setbacks, the transformation of the fields under his leadership has been dramatic. “Some of these fields were left for dead,” said Campbell. “Now, college coaches come in and say our fields are better than some they play on. That kind of feedback means the world.” However, Campbell is quick to downplay any notion of uniqueness. “I’m just kind of an average guy who likes being outside,” said Campbell. “I don’t mind getting dirt on my hands or paint blown up in my face.” Yet his approach to leadership, humility, and relentless improvement does set him apart. “Every day I try to find something to make us better,” said Campbell. “Whether it's a smoother transition on the baseball infield, a sharper logo, or just a cleaner mow.” He also views mentorship and professional relationships as essential to his journey. “People I've worked with years ago are still folks I talk to today—sometimes daily,” said Campbell. “Whether it’s advice on pest control or help with job candidates, we all lean on each other.”

Campbell’s journey in the sports field industry is a testament to the power of persistence, passion, and community. He credits mentors like Nicole Sherry, Jason Smith, and Joe Harris (whom he fondly remembers after his passing), among others, and offers gratitude to his family, crew, and the Virginia SFMA chapter. “You might feel alone sometimes, but you’re never really alone in this industry,” said Campbell. “That’s what makes it special.” Looking ahead to 2025, he has his sights set on tackling Poa annua issues and continuing to bring professional eyes to Harrisonburg’s fields, with an upcoming Field Day and tournaments. As the sun rises on another workday in Harrisonburg, Campbell is already out there with field paint in hand and his eyes scanning for the next way to improve. At first just a kid who liked mowing his yard, but now shaping the standard for an entire state.

Spring 2025 Line Up

Field of the Year Award Planning Tip

And be sure to REGISTER to join us MAY 7th

in HARRISONBURG at the

2023 Parks & Recreation Winning Complex

Click HERE to register for Field Day

Board Member of the Month - Chad Kropff

Chad Kropff is serving as the 2025-2026 Commercial Director on the VSFMA Executive Board. Join us on May 7th in Harrisonburg for a Regional Field Day where Chad will share his extensive expertise!

Chad's journey in sports field maintenance began with his love for baseball, leading him to pitch for Ferrum College. Though a setback with his arm redirected his path, Chad found his calling in field maintenance. Starting in Salem, VA with the Salem Redbirds, Chad's career flourished under the mentorship of Murray Cook. Encouraged to move to West Palm Beach, Florida by Cook, Chad joined the grounds crew for the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos' spring training home. In 1995, he joined ESPN's Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World, becoming one of the first field maintenance workers at the new Atlanta Braves’ spring training home. He gained valuable experience working on a variety of sports fields and athletic tracks as well as leading a diverse crew team which led to becoming foreman of the fields then eventually rising to Sports Field Manager.

It was at Walt Disney World where Chad met his wife, Cathy, who also worked at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. In 2000, Chad became the Head Groundskeeper at Anheuser-Busch Baseball City, home of the Kansas City Royals' spring training. Soon after his move, the Kansas City Royals relocated their spring training home to Arizona and that was a move Chad and Cathy didn’t want to make. In 2002 Chad and Cathy, moved back to the Roanoke area to be close to family. Chad jumped into the world of Parks and Recreation Management working for City of Roanoke, Botetourt County, and lastly Roanoke County. In 2009, Chad had the opportunity to work with his wife once again at Virginia Tech Recreational Sports where he became the Sports Turf and Outdoor Facilities Manager. This is when the decision to start Bulldog Field Equipment blossomed. Working as an independent contractor for Major League Baseball at the 2011 Roberto Clemente Series in San Juan, the group was talking about how the pitching rubbers were terrible. Chad Olson with Brickman Group (now Brightview) said to Chad Kropff “why don’t you fix them?” As Cathy had just finished her master’s degree and the time felt right to make the leap. Bulldog Field Equipment was born as an inventor of redesigned and patented pitching rubbers, then they added in their patented double-sided home plates, cleat cleaners, infield mix, warning track material, top dressing sand, and now they offer bases and ball carts as well.

By serving on the VSFMA board Chad hopes to bring this wealth of multilevel knowledge to help new groundskeepers. He often participates in Field Day events with hands on presentations and is one of the best industry professionals for consulting on new projects.

Jim Claxton Scholarship - Turf Producers of MD

We are happy to share a scholarship opportunity made possible by the Turfgrass Producers of MD. This scholarship memorializes Jim Claxton, a former Newsom Seed sales representative, and the contributions he made to the natural turfgrass industry.

The main eligibility requirement is the student (high school senior or currently in college) should reside or attend school in the Mid-Atlantic area, with preference to those in Maryland or one of its adjoining states. Preference also may be given to students who intend to pursue a turfgrass career.

Applications are due by Saturday, May 31, 2025. Completed applications will be accepted through the online form on the TPM website (direct link to application below). It is a short and painless application, so please encourage students you know to apply! I would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word on this opportunity. The maximum funds distributed from $500 to $1,500. If applicant caliber is high, there may be more than one award. Students follow this link to complete and read more about the application, its history, past recipients, and eligibility requirements:

https://turfproducersofmd.com/scholarship

Questions please contact:

Sara Lechlider

Business Development Manager | SiteOne Landscape Supply – Newsom Seed Branch #1196

Office: 800-553-2719    [email protected]

Logan Arthur Wins Virginia Collegiate Field of the Year

Written by Dakota Hensel

Imagine it’s early January in southern Virginia, and college softball is right around the corner. Most people are staying inside and keeping warm, but not Logan Arthur and his crew. They are out on the softball field trying to make it safe and playable for the Southern Virginia University softball team. “Getting the field playable is always how the year starts out with it constantly freezing and unfreezing,” said Logan Arthur, former director of athletic fields and facilities at Southern Virginia University. “Softball always wants to start pretty early.”

Just like many others, Arthur faced the grueling drought last summer. In the sports field industry, getting through a drought is a lot more difficult when your irrigation is not running as efficiently as possible. Unfortunately, that was the case at SVU. “A couple of the heads are on the outside of the fence, so hand-watering was a pretty big requirement,” said Arthur. “We were always trying to get the right water amount, but it never seemed to be enough.” Despite hard times, everyone must have a favorite part of the job to keep going back. For Arthur, his favorite parts are gamedays and the end results. “Especially at the D-III level, every little extra thing that you do is something the players may not have had before,” said Arthur. “It’s just the little things that may not be a big deal to some people. You just see the appreciation with them.”

Being a Division-III school, SVU had a pretty small crew. The crew consisted of Arthur, his full-time assistant and about two student workers. Despite that, they were able to win collegiate field of the year in back-to-back years. “I am proud and honored,” said Arthur. “Going to all of the SFMA conferences, I know how hard everyone in the state works, so being recognized for that while having a small crew means a lot to me to be able to say that we won back-to-back.” Attention to detail is what Arthur believes pushed him over the top to win his second field of the year award. Getting the crew to buy in was another crucial part of their success. “I know I may be ridiculous at times when it comes to edges and stuff like that, but it’s for the better cause,” said Arthur. “It makes it easier when you take care of things before they get out of control or bad. That way it is more maintenance than trying to catch up and recover.”

Arthur understands that he wouldn’t have been able to have the success he did without the help of others. Specifically, Arthur pointed out the hard work of his assistant, Josh Sears, and the support and help he received from his boss, John Sargent. Before he graduated from Liberty University in 2019 with a degree in sport management, he worked gamedays for the Lynchburg Hillcats. After two seasons in Lynchburg, he interned for the Cleveland Browns and Pioneer Athletics before returning home and working for Botetourt County Parks & Rec. He then became the head groundskeeper at Southern Virginia University. Now, Arthur has returned to where his sports field career began – the Lynchburg Hillcats. All of that experience at different levels helped shape him into the sports field manager he is today. “Just being able to get by and know what you can do at the low of lows and not having money to spend and then being up there where you have everything available to you,” said Arthur. “Everywhere has been a bit of a different experience, but it’s been at each level.”

The Hillcats are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The team plays their home games in Bank of the James Stadium, previously known as City Stadium. According to Milb.com, Bank of the James Stadium is the fifth oldest stadium in Minor League Baseball. Opening Day is this week for the Hillcats, and that is what Arthur is looking forward to most this year. Since he just started a few weeks ago, Arthur has been playing a lot of catch-up
but hopes to soon be back to just regular maintenance. “Once you get passed that day it seems to get a little bit easier,” said Arthur. “It’s just the anticipation and making sure everything is ready.”

Though Arthur doesn’t see himself as well educated compared to others within the industry, he continues to learn more and more every day. He also points out that what sets him apart from others is his work ethic and willingness to get to work. “I’m definitely not as educated as some of the people in the industry. I still kind of learn on the fly to this day,” said Arthur. “I know the general stuff, but I just put my head down and go to work. That’s kind of my motto. Everything is going to be alright as long as you put in the work.” Like many others within the industry, Arthur understands and appreciates the importance of relationships and connections. “They’re real important. Especially when there’s something where I don’t know what to do, so I can just reach out,” said Arthur. “I have a handful of guys where I can pick and choose to reconnect with and try to get their advice on stuff. I rely heavily on others to help me along the way.”

Board Member of the Month - Bryan Sheetz

This month we are introducing Bryan Sheetz who is serving on the VSFMA Executive Board for the 2025-2026 K-12 Public/Private Schools Director. 

Bryan grew up playing baseball and wanted to become a professional baseball player, but in middle school he began playing percussion and music became his passion. He graduated college with a degree in music and spent some time playing in bands up and down the east coast. Bryan went on to teach music and worked with many different marching bands, but after 10 years he was burned out and wanted to pivot the direction of his career.  Bryan decided to start a side business cutting grass and through this new profession learned about the Virginia Turfgrass Council. He obtained his certified fertilizer applicators license then added commercial pesticide and grew his business to include spraying. Once Bryan’s kids started playing baseball he became aware of how many recreational fields were not safe, so he began helping revitalize the fields and spent three years on the league’s board. Through the little league Bryan learned of VSFMA, joining the National SFMA as well and realizing just how big the sports field community is. A local high school principal approached Bryan after reading a VTC article on high school turf programs, so Bryan obtained his teaching license in landscape technology with a K-12 endorsement and in 2021 he took over all 3 fields at Thomas Dale High School.  The program began with 26 students and has grown to three teachers and 180 students. Bryan is also the Junior Varsity Baseball coach as well as the marching band’s Assistant Director.

Bryan’s goal in joining the Executive Board is bring awareness of the organization to high school coaches and Directors of Student Activities. By reaching school level decision makers VSFMA will be able to grow in membership as well as provide important hands on learning and professional networking to that community.

James Petrella wins Virginia professional field of the year

Written by Dakota Hensel

It’s the day many have long awaited. It’s the final Opening Day at The Diamond. Everyone is excited, but nobody is more ready than James Petrella, director of field operations for the Richmond Flying Squirrels. “It’s going to be crazy here every game,” said Petrella. “It’s big for a Minor League stadium, so when you have a sellout and 10,000 people here it gets so loud that we can’t hear each other during pregame.”

Petrella has been in the sports turf industry for nearly 11 years. It all started, though, in Akron, Ohio where he was studying sport management at the University of Akron. After completing an internship with the Akron RubberDucks, Petrella knew then that he wanted to work in sports turf. “I wanted to stay around the sport and in sports in general,” said Petrella. “I don’t have to sit behind the desk all day, and I get to enjoy the sunshine. It’s something different every day.” Before going to school in Akron, Petrella spent his childhood in Tacoma, Washington playing several different sports, but baseball was his true passion. In his 11 years in the industry, Petrella has had the opportunity to work for several different organizations. He served as an intern for the Seattle Seahawks while also working as a gameday employee for the Tacoma Rainiers. He also worked as an intern and an assistant at the Akron RubberDucks before becoming the head groundskeeper for the Altoona Curve. He is now entering his fourth season as the head groundskeeper for the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

In 2024, Petrella won his first field of the year award from the Virginia chapter of the Sports Field Managers Association. Like many award-winning groundskeepers, Petrella didn’t deem himself worthy of winning the award. “I never think that we deserve it,” said Petrella. “I am only going to see the imperfections we have in our field and ways we can improve.” Winning field of the year doesn’t mean that there aren’t numerous challenges to face. In 2024, a sinkhole opened in left field and the tarp had to be left on for six straight days due to a hurricane, all while playing host to two different teams. Not only is The Diamond home to the Flying Squirrels from April to September, but the VCU Rams also practice and play all their home games there. The Rams begin their season in mid-January and don’t finish until May. Then once the Squirrels season ends, the Rams are right back at it for 40 fall practices. “We go from 40 fall practices right after our season to two months of 20-degree weather, to VCU out here in mid-January for 30 straight days,” said Petrella. “It’s hard to grow any type of grass in 30-degree weather. Add snow, rain, and everything else into the mix and it makes for an interesting combination.”

When trying to find ways to improve, Petrella and his crew like to look at other groundskeepers to see what they may be doing. For major holidays or special events during the season, Petrella likes to go all out with cool logo designs and creative art behind home plate with infield conditioner. “We all follow everyone on social media,” said Petrella. “I try to, not one up, but have a friendly competition with what I like from what other people are doing. If I like a certain pattern,
I like to think about how we can improve on that.” In 2025, Petrella is hoping to visit other nearby groundskeepers to see what they do differently and how they run their crew. “My crew is really young, and this is about the only place they’ve ever worked,” said Petrella. “I try to tell them that there are other ways to do things, but I want to be able to show them that.”

For Petrella, staying loose and having fun is the key to success for his crew. “There will always be stuff that we have to get done, but I’m a big jokester and like to mess around with everybody,” said Petrella. “We lay down the law when we have to, but I’m always making jokes and trying to reiterate that it’s a stressful job, but we have to have fun.” Moving forward, Petrella hopes to continue his success and hopefully win an Eastern League field of the year award in the final season at The Diamond before moving to a new ballpark. According to Petrella, everyone says it can’t be done, but he doesn’t pay attention to the outside noise. “It’s always ‘can’t, can’t, can’t.’ I don’t like that word. It’s not in my vocabulary,” said Petrella. “I always feel like we’re good enough to win, and that’s our job. I would put our product up with anybody’s.”

Many consider Minor League Baseball the “memory-making business,” and that’s what Petrella hopes to do. He wants to make an impact on the fan experience, but he also recognizes that fans are there to watch the game, not him. However, the next time you find yourself at The Diamond, arrive just a few minutes earlier and watch Petrella and his crew work their magic.

Board Member of the Month - Todd Campbell

Todd Campbell is serving on the VSFMA Executive Board for the 2025-2026 as the Parks & Recreation Director. Read on to learn about Todd’s journey in field management and what he hopes to bring to the board.

Todd grew up in rural upstate New York where there are more cows than people. He graduated in a class of 30 from a K-12 school housed in one building. At the age of 14 he started working taking care of the school grounds and his fascination with baseball fields began. As a junior in high school Todd discovered that a few local schools offered a turfgrass program. He chose a 2 year program at SUNY – Cobleskill, but after 2 years he wanted to continue learning so he went on to earn a dual 4 year associate’s degree in Rec Land Management and a Bachelors of Technology in Plant Science with a concentration in Sports Field & Recreation Management.

Early in his career Todd continued working on the high school grounds as well as with an athletic field construction company. He truly enjoyed watching fields being built from nothing. While working at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, Todd began to embrace the baseball aspect of field management and the nuances of working with dirt and clay. He was also able to participate in an internship with the National Soccer Hall of Fame when it was in New York and that included day to day maintenance of a 4 field campus. In the Spring of 2009 Todd jumped at an opening with the Baltimore Orioles, but after one season he decided to return home to Doubleday Field.

The following year Todd discovered an opening for Turf Coordinator at the University of Florida and they were looking for a candidate with clay maintenance experience. Todd snagged the job with the added perk of being near his brother in Florida and stayed at the university for over 12 years.

Todd was familiar with the Shenandoah Valley area and saw an opening for Athletic Field Turf Manager with Parks & Recreation for the City of Harrisonburg, so he decided to make the switch and position himself halfway between family in Florida and New York. He resides in the valley with his wife and 7 month old son.

Todd wanted to join the VSFMA board to advocate for turfgrass professionals at all levels, especially providing support for Parks & Recreation. Virginia can be a tough area to grow grass so he believes in the importance of a support network to talk shop and bounce around ideas. You can reach Todd at [email protected] and look out for our first regional field day on May 7^th which will be held at Todd’s facility, Smithland Athletic Complex!

Starting Planning for Field of the Year!

Learn more about Field of the Year Awards: https://vsfma.org/VSFMA_Field_of_the_Year

Introducing the 2025-2026 Executive Board

President - Will Cole

Treasurer - Derik Cataldi

Secretary - Trae Brown

Immediate Past President - Brian Hinkley

Commercial Director - Chad Kropff

Education/Extension Director - Dr. Dan Sandor

K-12 Public & Private Schools Director - Bryan Sheetz

Parks & Recreation Director - Todd Campbell

Professional Sports Facility Director - Drew Norris

At Large - Steve Ruckman & Kyle White

A Wrap on 2024!

On Wednesday, December 4th we concluded our 2024 event season with our Annual Symposium + Trade Show in the Club Level of Williams Stadium at Liberty University! It was a wonderful day of learning and networking. We are so appreciative of our fantastic speakers - Dr. Shawn Askew, Jason Bowers, Patrick Coakley, Dr. Mike Goatley, Jesse Pritchard, Emerson Pulliam, and Chris Webb. A big congratulations to our 2024 Field of the Year Winners : Southern Virginia University, Smithland Athletic Complex, The Diamond, and William Fleming High School. Last, but certainly not least, a huge THANK YOU to our sponsors who shared their knowledge and expertise during the Trade Show portion of the event. We would not be the thriving chapter we are today without your support!

We concluded the morning with President Brian Hinkley passing the gavel on to Will Cole, our incoming 2025-2026 President. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Here are a few photos from the day, but be sure to check out the full photo gallery 2024 Symposium Photo Gallery

Join us at Symposium for "BMP to Legislation"

Join us as MASFMA leaders Jason Bowers and Patrick Coakley will review the BMP planning process, what it took, who got involved, and publishing the BMP manual. They will also highlight and discuss MASFMA's recent efforts in finding & selecting a lobbyist and what the lobbyist does for MASFMA members, such as: how the lobbyist flags bills that might interest members. Jason and Patrick will also discuss how MASFMA is becoming the organization a lot of politicians come too to advise them on different policies pertaining to sports field management practices and environmental concerns.

REGISTER NOW https://vsfma.org/meetinginfo.php?id=55&ts=1731506404

Join us at Symposium for "The Wide World of Weed Control"

Join us on December 4th at Liberty University for our 2024 Symposium & Trade Show! During this in depth talk 

Dr. Askew will also provide an update on herbicide resistance issues, highlight products that may be more restrictive

in the near future, and will discuss new chemistries and technologies for weed control.

Register Today https://vsfma.org/meetinginfo.php?id=55&ts=1729167168

2025-2026 VSFMA Executive Board Elections

Voting is open through Friday November 15th for the 2025-2026 Executive Board! 

Learn about the candidates here https://vsfma.org/downloads/vsfma_board_candidates.pdf

Members in good standing access online voting here https://form.jotform.com/243087336446057

Bermudagrass: A Game Changer for the Commonwealth

Join us on December 4th at Liberty University for our 2024 Symposium & Trade Show! Catch this

great panel discussion with expert sports field managers from all regions of the state!

Register Today https://vsfma.org/meetinginfo.php?id=55&ts=1729167168

2025 Executive Board Planning Retreat

On October 8th, members of the VSFMA Executive Board gathered at the Luckstone Rockville Training Facility in Rockville, VA for the annual board planning session. The board finalized plans for the 2024 Symposium and Trade Show at Liberty University on December 4th as well as outlined important details regarding membership engagement, sponsor opportunities, and events for 2025. 

If you're interested in getting involved with the Executive Board for the 2025-2026 term nominations are open through November 1st. Please reach out to Chris Webb, Nominating Committee Chair, at [email protected]

VSFMA Executive Board Nominations

Are You Interested in Leading VSFMA into the Future?

Indicate your interest in being slated for the Board of Directors for this election cycle! 

The VSFMA Nominating Committee is seeking voting members interested in being slated for a  position in the following categories:

• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Director; Category 1 College & University
• Director; Category 2 Commercial
• Director; Category 3 Education/Extension
• Director; Category 4 Parks & Recreation
• Director; Category 5 Private & Public K-12
• Director; Category 6 Professional Sports Facility
• Director; At Large (can be any voting category)

Please indicate your interest in serving on the Virginia SFMA Board of Directors by emailing Chris Webb, Nominating Committee Chair, at [email protected] by November 1, 2024.

The VSFMA relies on the dedication of its members to guide the association through its committees and Board of Directors. Serving on the VSFMA Board provides a crucial governance role, ensuring the organization remains aligned with its mission and maintains financial stability.

Thank you in advance for your interest!
VSFMA Nominating Committee

Sunday Feed-and-Seed Product Donation

ATTN: Virginia SFMA members,

Here are the specifics on the products Sunday has available. They are willing to ship this
around the VA-MD region BY THE PALLET! Sunday is thrilled to find a home for this and it's
free because the seed is expired, so germination may be below 80-90% and they are unable to
sell it in retail stores; the fertilizer is perfectly fine!
If anyone does want to go pick up at the warehouse in Martinsville, VA on an individual basis,
they can take as much or little as they please, no pallet minimums. Please contact Maggie
Reiter, Data Scientist w/ Sunday with your order so they can notify their supply chain lead ahead
of time that you plan to stop by the warehouse in Martinsville.
All of these products contain a 9-0-2 fertilizer with 1% Fe, 17.1% Ca, 1% Mg, and 4.5% S. The
N is a mix of polymer-coated sulfur-coated urea and dried poultry litter. There's quite a bit of
lime/gypsum in there because these were developed as a soil amendment + fertilizer + seed
product
The seed mix in each product varies slightly:
1. Seed + Feed Northwest, 10-lb. bags contain fertilizer + 7.2% Turfway tall fescue, 2.8%
Wicked perennial ryegrass
2. Seed + Feed Northeast, 10-lb. bags contain fertilizer + 7.2% Foxhound tall fescue, 3.6%
Cascade Chewings fescue, 1.2% 4N perennial ryegrass
3. Seed + Feed Sun & Shade, 10-lb. bags contain fertilizer + 4% Turfway tall fescue, 3%
Thrive perennial ryegrass, 3% SR5130 Chewings fescue, 2% Fielder Kentucky bluegrass
4. Seed + Feed Sun & Shade, 20-lb. bags contain fertilizer + 4.8% Thrive perennial ryegrass,
3.6% Foxhound tall fescue, 2.4% Cascade Chewings fescue, 1.2% Mercury Kentucky
bluegrass
5. Seed + Feed South, 10-lb. bags contain fertilizer + 10% common bermudagrass
Here's the amounts of the above formulations:
1. Seed + Feed Northwest, 10-lb. bags, 120 bags/pallet, 18 pallets available
2. Seed + Feed Northeast, 10-lb. bags, 120 bags/pallet, 9 pallets available
3. Seed + Feed Sun & Shade, 10-lb. bags, 120 bags/pallet, 25 pallets available
4. Seed + Feed Sun & Shade, 20-lb. bags, 48 bags/pallet, 15 pallets available
5. Seed + Feed South, 10-lb. bags, 120 bags/pallet, 8 pallets available
The labels with detailed guaranteed analysis are provided below.

To place an order, please contact Maggie Reiter, Data Scientist with Sunday, by email
at: [email protected] or by phone at: (563) - 663 - 2852

Best,
Dan Sandor, PhD ([email protected])
Virginia Tech
Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science
Virginia SFMA Education Chair

Announcing VSFMA's New Vice President

The Executive Board is excited to announce the appointment of Will Cole, Director of Field Operations with the Salem Red Sox, to the position of Vice President for the remainder of this year. 

Will is from Greensboro, North Carolina but grew up in the Tidewater region of Virginia. He now lives in Roanoke with his wife Amy and their three children: Landon, Emma, and Ryleigh. Will is a huge fan of Chelsea FC and the US National Soccer teams. He is also a marathon runner and has traveled along the east coast to run including the 2022 New York City Marathon. Will became the first sports turf manager in 2023 to win back-to-back Virginia Sports Field Managers Field of the Year in the Parks and Professional categories. He has past sports turf experience across the state of Virginia in university, K-12, and Parks & Recreation levels.  Will is currently on this 3^rd season with the Salem Red Sox (Single A for the Boston Red Sox) as the Director of Field Operations.

You can reach Will at [email protected]

Field of the Year Applications are Open!

VSFMA Field of the Year

The Virginia Sports Field Management Association (VSFMA) recognizes its members and their colleagues for their dedication to providing safe, playable sports field conditions.

Applications for the VSFMA Field of the Year Award are due on October 1st each year and will be evaluated based on a 12-month calendar cycle from October 1st through September 30th leading up to the entry deadline. Applicants must be good standing VSFMA members.

Applications will be judged based on a number of factors to include intensity of field use, staff size, budget, and challenges. As applicants will not be judged solely on the overall aesthetic look of their field, applicants are encouraged to show the good, bad and ugly throughout the year. 

The winning teams will be determined by December 1st and presented at the Annual VSFMA Symposium. They will receive a field banner, plaque, press coverage, and lunch for their team (up to 10 crew members).

One Winner for each of the Four (4) Categories

College and University

Parks and Recreation

K-12 Schools

Professional

Information Required:

• Name of field and facility

• Name of the field manager

• Name(s) of staff

• Nominator’s name (if different than the field manager)

• Contact information including name, title, address, phone number, and email

• Type of field (i.e. baseball, football, multipurpose, etc.)

• Skill level of athletes using the field (i.e. professional, high school, community, etc.)

• Age of field

• Describe any recent field renovations

• Number of events held on the field during the year (an event is any field usage including practices)

• Include the types of events

• Describe the soil composition (i.e. native soil, sand-based)

• Describe the grass type (i.e. bluegrass, ryegrass, mix, etc.)

• Describe the drainage system

• Describe the method of field irrigation

• Provide the annual budget for the field

• Outline the annual maintenance program for the field

• Provide any field challenges faced during the year

• Explain why your field deserves to be recognized as the VSFMA Field of the Year

• Include color pictures (10 maximum) of the field from various angles 

Applications may be submitted online: https://forms.gle/PEqdLJbWyLDtaf35A

We look forward to receiving your responses!

Featuring SiteOne Landscape Supply!

Today we are highlighting Gold Sponsor SiteOne Landscape Supply. Read on and see what Key Account Manager, Barry Kessler, had to say about their company.

What is 1 word (or phrase) that embodies the values of your company?

Customer First

Why do you feel it is important to support VSFMA as a Sponsor?

To let the industry know who we are and how we can be a great resource for their needs.

Share a brief, humorous anecdote about a sports-turf related incident that has happened in working with a client.

This goes way back to when I first started in the lawn care industry. We were treating a minor league baseball field with an application of fertilizer and control products. Not wanting to make a bad application I actually over lapped too much and caused some streaks to show up in the field. This application had an iron in it too. So too much iron on annual ryegrass in early spring....you guessed it, I streaked it and the streaks showed up black from too much iron. Thank goodness no permanent damage occurred and after a couple of mowings the black was gone. Funny now but not so funny with the turf manager on site when it happened. 

Featuring Revels Turf & Tractor!

Today we are highlighting Gold Sponsor Revels Turf and Tractor. Read on to see what Regional Sales Manager, Greg Austin, shared in his interview.

What is 1 word (or phrase) that embodies the values of your company?

Trusted Partner

Why do you feel it is important to support VSFMA as a Sponsor?

Revels Turf and Tractor values it’s relationship with the VSFMA because we have the same goals, we want to help educate Sports Turf Managers. One of the ways we educate is helping customers choose the right equipment for their facility and that ultimately helps them give the best product possible. If we are all successful then we all will thrive.

Share a brief, humorous anecdote about a sports-turf related incident that has happened in working with a client.

I dropped a very heavy piece of equipment off at clients and everything went well until I was leaving, my tailgate came completely off of my trailer due to some welds breaking and it fell in the middle of a road. Luckily my client was close by and helped me get it on my trailer. At least it fell off after we got the piece of equipment off the trailer!

VT Turfgrass Field Day Program Schedule, May 20th @Indpendence Golf - Midlothian

Featuring Bulldog Field Equipment!

Today we are highlighting Bulldog Field Equipment, one of VSFMA’s longstanding Gold Sponsors. You can see Bulldog’s owner, Chad Kropff, in action at our Field Day next week at the Lynchburg Hillcats! 

What is 1 word (or phrase) that embodies the values of your company? Integrity

Why do you feel it is important to support VSFMA as a Sponsor? We are a very small mom-and-pop business, so we can't afford to sponsor a lot of SFMA activities like larger businesses. So we feel it is important to support the sport field management community in our backyard. Chad has been a part of VSFMA for many years, prior to starting our business. We have been blessed to be able to develop a wonderful sports field network through the years. We enjoy helping connect people in the industry to further their education and/or career goals.

Share an example of what a customer can expect when working with Bulldog: We sell windscreen, tarps, wall padding, etc. One time, Chad told a client that he would help install the windscreen which we don't normally do. Chad told the client what high-reach equipment to rent and that they would need to start first thing in the morning before the sun came up. The client agreed but was not excited about getting to the park before the sun came up. As they went up on the high-reach and started putting the windscreen up before the sun rose. They were able to finish before the sun came up and Chad sighed with relief as the high-reach equipment went back down to the ground. The client asked Chad why he looked so relieved. Chad said "because I'm afraid of heights and installing the windscreen in the dark with as few lights as possible is the only way I can do it". The client laughed and laughed!

2023 College/University Field of the Year Winner: Southern Virginia University

Today we're hearing from Logan Arthur at Southern Virginia University for being the recipient of VSFMA's 2023 College/University Field of the Year Award! Read on to see what Logan had to say.

What are you most proud of with this win, and/or what do you think stands out most about your winning field?

I am most proud of what we were able to achieve with a small budget and small crew size. A field that can cause headaches at times but what I think stands out is making the most of what we have, and the attention to detail that we were able to pull off. You don't always have to have this big budget to have a nice field, but if you give it what it needs, care for it, and have pride in what you are you doing, you can end up with a great end result.

What attracted you to a career in sports field management and what has been your career path through the industry?

It was by accident as I have heard many say in this industry, while attending Liberty University where I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Sport Management, I saw a posting for seasonal assistant groundskeeper with the Lynchburg Hillcats. The goal for me was to always be involved in Sports in some capacity, after doing a year, that led to another, and I absolutely loved the work that went into baseball fields. After two years with the Lynchburg Hillcats, I was luckily enough to do a double internship with Pioneer Athletics and the Cleveland Browns. With Pioneer, I took care of their test plots and worked closely with the chemists there to test the paint on the plots and shoot videos with them. With the Browns, I was mainly working at the practice facility until the season started where I would spend Wednesday-Sunday at the Stadium helping getting everything painted for game day then working the games. After that, I had a short stint with Botetourt Parks and Rec, and now I am with National Management Resources, at Southern Virginia University as the Director of Athletic Fields, and absolutely love the people and what I do

Who would you say are your mentors in the industry and/or what is the best piece of advice you have received?

I have a couple of mentors that I would like to credit. First, Mike Georgiadis, he was the Head Groundskeeper for the Lynchburg Hillcats in my second year with the team. He was the guy who made me fall in love with this industry. He was big on teaching not only on this is how we are doing it, but took the time to explain why we are doing this. Next up, during my time with the Cleveland Browns I got to work alongside with some really great people, Scott Springer, Russel Horn, Jeff Witt, and Andrew Bossard. That internship was a dream for me personally, and all of those guys took the time to answer any questions, teach me new things, and we had  great conversations to pass the time along most of which was making jokes about my country accent. The best piece of advice I have received is to not be afraid to make mistakes, it's just grass, and you can always get it to come back. 

What are the biggest challenges you have faced with the winning field and how have you approached those challenges?

The biggest challenge I faced this year is actually a challenge every year, is that when this field was built, it wasn't properly installed. No drainage, although drains were put in to help. The grade causes infield to drain towards our home dug out and the back stop, which causes some pretty intensive dirt work. Next, our irrigation isn't ideal as it doesn't cover the whole field, some irrigation heads are outside of the fence, which forces us to hand water areas. With a small crew, tarp pulls can be challenging, but I am very blessed and thankful to have a Head Coach in Tiffane Pendleton who cares about the field, and has her team take pride in the field that they have, and they help us out a ton with pulling tarp for us when needed. My approach has been to top dress areas as needed, a little more aggressive in the low areas w from incorrect grade when built or from wear areas over time. With applications, I try to schedule if possible when it is weather friendly so I know I am getting complete coverage with the water, but if the weather isn’t being friendly or it is going to be too much rain, I run the irrigation and watch closely to see where the hand watering is needed. I’ve had laser grading done, but due to the incorrect grade of the field, it only helps so much, the water is going to go where it is sloped to go, so the only way to attack that is deal with it head on. 

How has your career benefited from being a member of VSFMA?

The connections I've been able to make. Getting closer with familiar faces, or meeting brand new ones. So many great people are involved with the VSFMA, who are willing to answer calls or texts about any question that I may have. And on top of the connections, the educational presentations and the resources the VSFMA provides.

Gold Sponsor Feature: Trinity Turf

Today we are excited to feature one of VSFMA's Gold Sponsors, Trinity Turf. Here is what President Kurt Fellenstein had to say:

What is 1 word (or phrase) that embodies the values of your company? We believe in treating others the way I want to be treated.

Why do you feel it is important to support VSFMA as a Sponsor? Networking with your peers doesn’t happen in all industries. The green industry is unique in that there is a sense of camaraderie among members.  We believe the VSFMA is a great value to its members and worthy of our financial support.

How do you best like to interact with your clients? On a site visit, I tend to ask a lot of questions trying to figure out why a manager chooses to do things a certain way.  I have learned a lot over the years and appreciate the openness. 

Learn more about Trinity Turf on their website https://trinityturf.net/#home

2023 Parks and Recreation Field of the Year Winner: Smithland Football Field

Today we're highlighting Todd Campbell and his team at Smithland Athletic Complex for being the recipient of VSFMA's 2023 Parks and Recreation Field of the Year Award! Read on to see what Todd had to say about his career path.

What are you most proud of with this win, and/or what do you think stands out most about your winning field?

I think I’m most proud at the fact that the crew and myself who manage the complex were all new to the job within the past year so we had to learn on the fly how the field handled wear, inclement weather (mostly drought) as well as it being a bluemuda surface (Kentucky bluegrass/Bermuda mix- which not a lot of folks have to my understanding) on top of fixing a lot of irrigation breaks, raising heads, and developing a nutrient program. I think what stands out the most to me is the team embracing the work that needed to be done and embracing the challenge it took to improve the surface.

What attracted you to a career in sports field management and what has been your career path through the industry?

I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and would always admire stripes on a baseball field to be honest. I got a job when I was 14 taking care of my school grounds and was hooked. I was given a lot of freedom and just loved trying to make something look nice and play well (even though when I was 14 I really had no idea what I was actually doing). It was later on I heard one could get a degree in turfgrass management. Throughout college at SUNY Cobleskill I kept working on my high school grounds/fields and eventually took a summer job with Catskill Landscaping where I would help lay sod on newly constructed or renovated athletic fields. It was awesome to see a field built from bare bones to a nicely graded, sodded surface. I then took a job in summer of 2007 at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY. I learned the ins-and-outs of baseball field management and was very interested in the art of clay management. This field was very historical and saw over 300 games from April to October. After that summer I decided I wanted to learn more soccer field maintenance and did my internship at the Soccer Hall of Fame, which used to be in Oneonta, NY. This complex was four fields that saw anything from youth camps all the way up to college practices and matches. It was a fun experience but after graduation I decided I wanted to stick to baseball. In 2009 I was lucky to have the opportunity to work for the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore Maryland under Nicole Sherry. During this time, I became very well educated on baseball field maintenance and was fortunate to make some lifelong friends who are doing well in other areas of the industry across the country. It was very difficult to not return for another season, but I was drawn to coming home and working at Doubleday Field again in 2010. I was able to learn even more but was offered a job at the University of Florida. It was a huge step for me. I had never lived so far from home, I had zero warm season grass experience, and I was taking on a grind that was 24/7/365. I was still young and took the leap. Florida was awesome. Once Jason Smith was hired on in 2012, every single aspect of fields improved. I'll use the word “fortunate” again. I was very fortunate enough to work along side Jason and learn a lot about Bermuda grass and how to maintain it. I was also given the opportunity to pick out what clay and infield dimensions were used at the brand-new baseball park that was built in 2020. Events on the personal side occurred which changed my needs and wants as a professional and a human. I decided to take a challenge in a managerial role at the city of Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation department to be closer to home, manage a crew, manage multiple fields at a reasonable work schedule where I could spend time with my wife and hopefully start a family of my own. Leaving UF was not a decision I took lightly, and a lot of homework went into the decision. I will always cherish my time there but am beyond grateful for the opportunity I have in front of me here in Harrisonburg.

Who would you say are your mentors in the industry and/or what is the best piece of advice you have received?

My mentors in the industry are Scott Kruppo, Jason Smith, and Joe Harris. I don’t think there is one piece of advice I could pick over the tons of advice I’ve been given.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced with the winning field and how have you approached those challenges?

I think the biggest challenge was being at a new area of the country with people I didn’t know, just trying to learn how the field responded to adversity in the form of use and mother nature. All while trying to learn/hire a new crew and create my own culture.

How has your career benefited from being a member of VSFMA?

My career has benefited through VSFMA because I’ve had the opportunity to meet many individuals that have been nothing but helpful throughout my transition here.

Jeff Holliday Joins Landscape Supply

Announcing VSFMA's New Vice President

The Virginia SFMA board is excited to announce that Tyler Bergin has been appointed to the role of Vice President!

After serving in the United States Military as an Army Fire Support Specialist, Tyler came back home to Virginia and joined forces with his future father-in-law to help coach and maintain the baseball field for Liberty Christian Academy. It was through this experience that Tyler met Brian Hinkley, CSFM who ended up hiring Tyer to work at Liberty University as a turf technician and Tyler enjoyed working for five years under Brian's mentorship. Three years ago Tyler accepted the position of Sports Field Manager of the Lynchburg Hillcats where he continues to pursue his passion of baseball.

On his new role as Vice President, Tyler said "I’m excited for the future of the VSFMA. I’m look forward to serve this amazing community of professionals and continue to uphold the values of sports field manager. Make fields grass again!"

You can connect with him via cell (434) 439-0726 and/or Twitter @Tyler__Bergin.

Field of the Year Award Planning Tip

2023 Professional Sports Facility Field of the Year Winner: Carilion Clinic Field

Today we're highlighting Will Cole and his crew at Salem Memorial Ballpark for being the recipient of VSFMA's 2023 Professional Sports Facility Field of the Year Award! Read on to see what Will had to say about the value of networking and how that has impacted his career.

What are you most proud of with this win, and/or what do you think stands out most about your winning field?

I am proud of winning FOY in 2023 because it was my first year in Salem and we were able to take the field to from a low standard in the Carolina league to one of the higher standards of the league. I am also very proud of winning back-to-back FOY in two different categories (Parks & Professional).

What attracted you to a career in sports field management and what has been your career path through the industry?

Going into college I wanted to be a teacher but my love of sports and being around/playing sports just pulled me to the sports turf industry. I found that having a career in the sports turf industry also gave me that “high” that I got when playing sports. My career path has taken me to Professional Sports, Parks & Recreation, University, Right-a-way around the Mid-Atlantic. I started my career in sports turf but left for a little while to experience a different industry of turf. My wife always told me I never should have left the sports field industry because that was when I was truly happy in my work life. I made the jump back into sports turf in 2021 with the City of Roanoke Parks & Recreation at River’s Edge Sports Complex. In 2023, the opportunity came knocking at my door to become the Director of Field Operations at the Salem Red Sox.

Who would you say are your mentors in the industry and/or what is the best piece of advice you have received?

I have worked with so many people being in the turf industry so it’s hard to just pick one. I will say Mike Goatley, Chad Kropff, Rodney Jordon, and Alpha Jones have helped me along the way even if its just bouncing ideas, asking questions, be willing to answer the phone. The best piece of advice I have received is when it comes to managing people. “I am your guard rails so I will guide you in the right direction but it’s up to you to pave the way.”

What are the biggest challenges you have faced with the winning field and how have you approached those challenges?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was maintaining the playing surface to the highest level with a DIII college playing full time along with the Salem Red Sox games and events. I approached the high playing schedule with adding different types of cultivation, having a positive relationship with our front office staff, coaching staffs for both teams. Honestly taking a lot of things to the chin and rolling with it. Another challenge, that is starting to get talked about a lot in this industry, is work/life balance. Winning FOY is a great achievement in my career but being happy at home and being able to be present with my family drives me in my career to be someone my kids can look up to.

How has your career benefited from being a member of VSFMA?

The networking and friendship you will gain has been the greatest benefit of the VSFMA. People from different parts of the turf industry will be at the field days and meetings. You might connect on different things to people you may have never met before.

Field of the Year Award Planning Tip

VSFMA Celebrates 30 Years!

February 14th marks the 30th Anniversary of our Virginia SFMA Chapter!

Thank you to each and every member, sponsor, and board volunteer that have helped grow our thriving organization over the years. 

If you didn't get a chance to snag one of our AWESOME Anniversary Hats at Symposium don't worry - they'll be for sale at regional events this year! Mark your calendar: our first Field Day will be May 23rd at the Lynchburg Hillcats, additional locations and dates will be posted soon!

2023 K-12 Field of the Year Winner: Matt Gwaltney Field

Landscape Supply & VTC Recertification Webinar

Looking to renew your Pesticide Credits? Thanks to our Gold Sponsor, Landscape Supply, we invite you to join the Virginia Turfgrass Council's Virtual Recertification! Please note that VSFMA is NOT hosting this event. Please direct all questions through the VTC website which you can find through the registration link below.

VTC Recertification Approvals:

• Submitted for categories: 60, 3-A, 3-B6, 3-A, 3-C, 3-B, 10*, 4A, 4B, 7, 11, 12, 00 and 6
• Webinar is approved for: Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and District of Columbia

Register and learn more here: https://vaturf.org/march-recertification-webinar/

Start planning for your 2024 Field of the Year Application!

Announcing VSFMA's New Vice President

The VSFMA Board is proud to announce the appointment of Stirling “Harrison” Young, Jr for the position of Vice President!

Previously serving as the VSFMA Professional Sports Facility Board Member, when Harrison was approached about the Vice Presidential position he accepted the nomination without hesitation, wanting to better serve in any way he can. His goal as Vice President is to connect with the membership base and help VSFMA to grow as an educational and networking resource for sports field managers in all fields.

You can reach Harrison at Harrison.Young@colonialdowns.com or his X handle @CDTurf1

Fall Board Retreat at Luck Companies

The VSFMA Board gathered on Tuesday, October 10th for a morning full of planning to make 2024 a stellar year in celebration of our chapter's 30th anniversary! 

Scott Orndorff promoted to Director of Business for HydraSmart, Inc.

VSFMA Member Of The Month - MAY 2023

The Sports Field Management Association continues the VSFMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Drew Norris for this month of May 2023. 

Drew got his start in sports field management when he was 14-years old. His mom was the accountant for the Salem Red Sox and would take Drew to coordinate the kiddie wiffle ball games on the mini-Fenway part of the park. One day, while watching the groundkeepers, Drew asked if he could join them on the field. Ross Groenevelt who was the Head Groundskeeper took Drew under his wing and started showing him field maintenance. For the next few years, Drew worked as a grounds intern every summer until he went to college.

Drew attended the University of South Carolina studying sports and entertainment management with the goal of breaking into a career in sports marketing. During his collegiate years, Drew gained a lot of experience working several internships in various parts of the sports industry from Field Operations with the Louisville Bats to Sales Troubleshooter for the PGA Tour.

Upon graduation, Drew accepted a position as a Sales Executive for the Richmond Flying Squirrels. It was there where he met Steve Ruckman, Head Groundskeeper and Kyle Nichols, Assistant Groundkeeper, who let Drew help them with their groundskeeping duties. When Steve took a position with Henrico County, Kyle was promoted to the Head Groundskeeper role and Drew jumped on the opportunity to transition to Assistant Groundskeeper. After learning the ropes of groundskeeping while having the sales and marketing background to support his experience, Drew landed a fantastic opportunity with the Richmond Kickers where he remains today as the Director of Field Operation. Drew’s responsibilities include overseeing the City Stadium, managing the team’s games and practice schedules, and the additional 250+ events throughout the year.

Drew married his high school sweetheart in 2020 and together they have an almost two-year old son, Connor and a baby boy soon-to-make his debut this September. In his spare time, Drew enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.

Drew got involved with the VSFMA when he was with the Flying Squirrels as an Assistant Groundskeeper. Steve Ruckman recommended that he and Kyle join the VSFMA to have an immediate support network of experts who they could learn from while transitioning into their new roles.

As a VSFMA Board Member, Drew’s biggest goal is to help grow a solid pipeline of future field managers. He would like to grow the high school turf programs so that more kids can take advantage of learning about field management and the potential career opportunities at a young age.

The one piece of advice Drew would give is to ask for help. If you don’t know the answer, someone else does.

If Drew could do it all over again, he would have studied turf grass management in college.

If you want to know more about Drew, you are welcome to connect with him via cell (804) 370-6759 and/or Twitter @DNorris15.

VSFMA Member of the Month - APRIL 2023

The Virginia Sports Field Management Association continues the VSFMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Tyler Bergin for this month of April 2023.

From the time Tyler was a little kid, he has always loved the game of baseball. Growing up playing the position of pitcher, a durable mound was critical to his success. When Tyler was in eighth grade, the particular mound he was pitching on was unstable, so he took it upon himself to rebuild it learning how as he went along. Going forward and throughout his high school baseball career, Tyler continued repairing mounds for himself and as well as other pitchers. Little did he know at the time that his skill and desire to improve field playability and safety would lead him to an eventual career in sports field management.

Upon graduating from high school, Tyler served in the United States Military as an Army Fire Support Specialist where he was assigned to inventory units as the point person calling for artillery air strike support when needed. As Tyler put it, “it was a pretty cool role”. While his military duties kept him stateside, his passion for baseball continued and he was able to catch a few major league baseball games while he was in stationed in various parts of the country.

When his contract with the Army concluded, Tyler came back home to Virginia where his high school sweetheart had been waiting for him and joined forces with his future father-in-law to help coach and maintain the baseball field for Liberty Christian Academy. It was through this experience that Tyler met Brian Hinkley, CSFM who ended up hiring Tyer to work at Liberty University as a turf technician. Tyler enjoyed working for five years under the mentorship of Brian, picking his brain throughout the time. In turn, Brian got Tyler involved with the Sports Field Management Association and had him attend his first SFMA Conference at Fort Worth, Texas.

Tyler had hoped and planned for Liberty’s baseball field to convert to natural grass, which did not end up happening so when an opportunity popped up for him to work on a high-end natural turf baseball field, he took it. Two years ago, Tyler accepted the position of Sports Field Manager of the Lynchburg Hillcats where he continues to pursue his passion of baseball.

Tyler married his high school sweetheart in 2017 and together they have a three-year old daughter, Sage and a brand-new baby daughter, Valerie Skye (set to make her grand debut today or tomorrow – stay tuned!). During his free time, Tyler loves to fish and golf.

Tyler got involved with the VSFMA through his working relationship with Brian Hinkley, CSFM who introduced him to the association and encouraged him to become a member.

As a VSFMA Board Member, Tyler’s biggest goal is to continue to grow the network of our peers. He loves that he can reach out to 15 different people to get answers when needed.

The one piece of advice Tyler would give is not to quit - every failure is a learning opportunity.

If Tyler could do it all over again, he would have liked to attend college to study turf management.

If you want to know more about Tyler, you are welcome to connect with him via cell (434) 439-0726 and/or Twitter @Tyler__Bergin.

VSFMA Member of the Month - MARCH 2023

The Virginia Sports Field Management Association continues the VSFMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Derik Cataldi for this month of March 2023.

Growing up, Derik loved of the game of golf. Like many others, Derik discovered early on that the game he loved was a pretty expensive one, so to help combat the cost, Derik worked at a golf course near his childhood home to help fund his playtime. As a teenager, he washed golf carts and balls eventually making his way around the golf course learning about ground maintenance. What Derik learned piqued his interest and thus he helped start the Louisa County High School Turf Program under Chris Whitlow in 2004.

After high school, Derik attended Piedmont Community College for a couple of years before packing his bags for Virginia Tech to study turf science with the goal of becoming a golf course superintendent. While they say timing is everything, Derik graduated in 2008 in the middle of the economic crisis. With golf courses and many other industries struggling to survive, Derik decided to stay in school to pursue a masters degree in Crop Soil Environmental Science. Through his research producing commercially acceptable sod using biosolids, he got to know the members of the Virginia Tech Turf Team pretty well. It was through these connections that upon graduating, he found an opportunity with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation working closely with golf courses, sports fields, and parks by partnering to create nutrient management plans.

Through his work experience, he met the Connelly Family and felt that it would be a natural fit to join Landscape Supply, Inc. Derik became an Assistant Branch Manager for fives years at the Charlottesville branch. He worked with lawn care operators, sports field managers, construction companies and homeowners at the service counter to help match them with solutions to fit their needs. He is now a District Sales Representative serving customers along the I-95 corridor from Fredericksburg south to Dinwiddie County and I-64 west to the Shenandoah Valley. Derik focuses on working with sports turf managers and lawn care operators, helping to not only find solutions for their facilities and businesses, but also helping with pesticide and certified fertilizer applicator recertification, any nutrient management planning needs and to keep them informed on what seems like the ever-changing supply chain and cost issues currently facing our industry.  

Derik attributes much of his success to the support of the women in his life - his wife of five years, their two-year old daughter, Parker, and soon to make her entrance in April 2023, daughter, Reagan. When not at his day job, Derik enjoys playing golf, maintaining the lawn, and working with his wife on their cut flower farm.

Derik got involved with the VSFMA through networking with his customers. One of his customers is Mark Roberts of the Stewart School who had recommended that Derik join the Association. Derik began attending VSFMA events and decided to dive in as a member and now Board Director.

As a VSFMA Board Member, Derik’s biggest goal to help educate the membership through distribution of useful information regarding new ideas, practices, products and chemistry.

The one piece of advice Derik would give is to learn and listen from those who have been there, done that, as he is still learning, just scratching the surface.

If Derik could do it all over again, he doesn’t think he would do a ton differently. While there are always things to contemplate, he loves what he does, and it’s been a great ride so far.

If you want to know more about Derik, you are welcome to connect with him via cell (540) 589-0332 and/or email at [email protected].

VSFMA Member of the Month - FEBRUARY 2023

The Virginia Sports Field Management Association continues the VSFMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Stirling “Harrison” Young, Jr for this month of February 2023.

Harrison grew up in the town of Middleburg, VA otherwise known as the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital" for its foxhunting, steeplechases, and large estates. From birth, Harrison was exposed to equestrian life as his entire family participated in steeplechasing. While Harrison enjoyed riding, his interest at the time was playing lacrosse and soccer.

After high school, Harrison accepted a scholarship to play lacrosse at Ohio Wesleyan and St. Andrews University. However, much to his family’s liking, Harrison decided to study equine business management without knowing where that may eventually take him. Playing lacrosse in college helped Harrison understand the importance of a consistent and safe surfaces and thus from college, he began working as a landscaper as an account manager for estate, farm, HOA Communities, and businesses. He also had the unique opportunity of constructing five vineyards in Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee.

It was only about five years ago in 2018 when Harrison’s career and past life began to merge. (Thanks to his brother, Jonathan Thomas a thoroughbred trainer, Harrison had an opportunity to maintain training surfaces at a training center at Brindlewood Farm in Ocala, FL, and learn the true needs of the equine athlete on three different training surfaces). It was only one year later when he received a call from Colonial Downs, a racetrack located in New Kent County, VA halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg. The track had conducted Thoroughbred flat racing and Standardbred harness racing between 1997 and 2014 and its new owners had a goal of reopening the track for thoroughbreds. Harrison was asked if he would revamp the track’s 26-acre Bermuda turf course that had been vacant for all those years. The challenge was that he only had two and half months to turn the track around to make it safe and ready for the upcoming racing season. Harrison accepted the challenge and met the deadline, which eventually led to him transitioning into the role of Director of Racing Surfaces and Track Superintendent for Colonial Downs.

Upon accomplishing a successful racing season last year, Harrison enrolled in the Virginia Tech Turf Management Program led by Dr. Michael Goatley and Dr. Daniel Sandor, which earned him a Certified Turf Professional Certification. In addition to serving as a Board Member of the Virginia Sports Field Management Association, he is a Starter and Clerk of Scales for the National Steeplechase Association, and a board member for The National Track Superintendents.

In his free time, Harrison enjoys spending time with his two dogs, fly fishing, bird/fowl hunting, and being with friends and family, especially since he just became an “fun-cle” this year to two nephews.

Harrison got involved with the VSFMA through networking when one of his suppliers, Kyle White of Luck Ecosystems introduced him to the idea of joining the Association.

As a VSFMA Board Member, Harrison’s biggest goal is to provide opportunities for others to learn that horse racing has a turf component that is often overlooked. He feels the industry needs more sport turf individuals and science to help provide safe consistence turf surfaces to racehorses and he hopes to shed light on the industry and get more people involved from personnel to modified equipment.

The one piece of advice Harrison would give is never stop learning and follow your heart.

If Harrison could do it all over again, he would have attended Virginia Tech for his undergrad degree in Turf Science.

If you want to know more about Harrison, you are welcome to connect with him via Twitter @CDTurf1 and/or email at [email protected].

VSFMA Field of the Year Winner Lunches

The three teams who won the VSFMA 2022 Field of the Year Award in their perspective categories all celebrated over lunch this past week (Liberty Christian Academy/K-12 School, River's Edge/Parks and Recreation, and the Richmond Kickers/Professional)! See pictures below.

Introducing 2023 VSFMA Board of Directors

HAPPY 2023!
To kick off the New Year, the Virginia Sports Field Management Association is pleased to introduce the
2023 VSFMA Board of Directors!

PRESIDENT
Brian Hinkley, CSFM

VICE PRESIDENT
Steve Ruckman

SECRETARY
Derik Cataldi

TREASURER
Kyle White

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Chris Webb, CSFM

DIRECTORS
John Whitty - College/University
Matt Austin - Parks & Recreation
Drew Miller - K-12 Schools
Harrison Young - Professional
Patrick Coakley - Commercial
Dr. Dan Sandor - Education/Extension
Tyler Bergin - At-Large
Drew Norris - At-Large

Dr. Michael Goatley - Advisor

Thank you to all who applied and hope you and others will stay involved by serving on a committee!
Stay tuned for more to come... :)

Website transition to vsfma.org

To further the completion of assimilating our local chapter with the national Sports Field Management Association brand, our website will transition to vsfma.org the morning of Monday, December 12, 2022. As a result, the website will be down for most of that day during this transition; thank you for your patience during this time.

VSTMA thoughts and prayers for UVA

On behalf of the Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association,
our thoughts and prayers go out to UVA and the Charlottesville community.

VSTMA Member of the Month - OCTOBER 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Greg Austin for this month of October 2022.

These days, it’s rare to find anyone who has only worked for one or two companies through his or her career. Under the mentorship of two great people, Greg Austin is one of those rarities having worked for just two companies over the past 27 years.

Greg’s first job at the ripe age of 15 was a picking up range balls in exchange for free golf at Blue Hills Golf Club in Roanoke, VA. After school each day, Greg walked three to four miles from his home to the golf course (with his clubs) to play and then picked the range until dark. From there, Greg worked his way up to become a cart attendant. With a fleet of 60 golf carts, there was always 5 to 10 carts that needed that needed tending to, so Greg learned how to maintain and fix golf carts at a young age.

After high school, Greg attended Roanoke College to play golf and study business; however, during his junior year, Greg decided to fully invest in his passion for golf and took an assistant golf professional position with… you guessed it… Blue Hills Golf Club. During his time with Blue Hills, Greg was fortunate to work with a great mentor, Johnny King who helped him learn how to communicate with different types of people as together they completed 50 thousand rounds of golf annually.

Through his relationships with the golf course maintenance employees at Blue Hills, Greg learned about an Assistant Territory Manager position with Revels Turf and Tractor. Looking for a change of pace, Greg jumped at the opportunity and after approximately two years with Revels, he was promoted to Territory Manager for Southwest Virginia and West Virginia. Greg was very fortunate to have Revel’s corporate sales manager, Larry Adcock as a mentor who has and continues to help him learn the business and how to be an equipment expert. As a Territory Manager, Greg was a two-year recipient of the John Deere Salesman of the Year Award for the entire US of A and just earlier this year, he was promoted to Regional Sales Manager for Revels.

Overall, Greg enjoys working with the people in the turf industry and supporting those behind the scenes that manage the number one asset for their facilities, turf. Being a Territory Manager and now a Regional Sales Manager has allowed Greg to find a perfect match of his passion in helping others succeed and turf equipment.

Greg and his wife Ashley have two children, Blake (14) who is following in his father’s footsteps playing golf for his high school team and Tayler (12) who plays with the Virginia United Soccer Club. Greg is also on the Board for the Virginia United Soccer Club and assisted with the building of two bermuda soccer fields last year. Between golf courses and soccer fields, Greg and his family enjoy traveling to many turf fields throughout the Commonwealth. During his free time, Greg enjoys playing golf, hunting and fishing as well as traveling to Myrtle Beach with his family.

Greg got involved with the VSTMA when Whitnee Askew, the previous VSTMA Executive Director, asked him if he would consider joining the Association. Greg asked if there were any Board of Director positions opened and there just happened to be the Secretary role available, which is the role Greg is in today.

As a VSTMA Board Advisor, Greg’s biggest goal is to help the VSTMA membership grow.

The one piece of advice Greg would give is to always do the right thing and treat others how you would want to be treated.

If Greg could do it all over again, he wouldn’t change a thing- everything happens for a reason!

If you want to know more about Greg, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected] and/or at the VSTMA Symposium on December 7, 2022.

VSTMA Board - Looking for a few good men/women!

The VSTMA Board of Directors is looking for a few good men/women to serve on the upcoming 2023 - 2024 Board.
The VSTMA Board meets virtually for one hour a month via Zoom, supports VSTMA events, and attends one Board Retreat per year. Board terms are two (2) years.

If you have an interest in getting involved by taking your membership to the next level as a VSTMA Board member, please send an email to [email protected] by October 1, 2022. Elections will be hosted virtually in October/November with the incoming Board confirmed at the VSTMA Fall Symposium on December 7, 2022 at Liberty University.

VSTMA Member of the Month - SEPTEMBER 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Advisor, Dr. Michael (Mike) Goatley for this month of September 2022.

Mike was like most college students (or adults for that matter) in that he struggled to find a passion for what he wanted to do when he grew up. Having been raised on a farm in Kentucky, he knew that farming was not the career for him; however, he did want to plant his own roots so-to-speak in a career where he could work outside. As an agricultural economics major at the University of Kentucky, Mike took a turfgrass course as an elective, which he enjoyed and something in his mind clicked. His turfgrass professor, Dr. AJ Powell Jr. encouraged Mike to continue pursuing a specialty in turfgrass and upon graduation, convinced Mike to continue his studies in a graduate program at the University of Kentucky. Upon graduating with a Master of Science degree in Crop Sciences, Mike was accepted into a PhD program at Virginia Tech working with Dr. Dick Schmidt, and he became one of the first generation of scientists studying biostimulants. Mike’s studies did not end in the classroom however… while in his PhD program, he met his future bride, Lisa. 

After receiving his PhD, Mike’s first job was at Mississippi State University as a professor where he spent 90% of his time teaching and 10% conducting research. After 15 years at Mississippi State, he had the opportunity to come back to Virginia Tech as part of the Extension program, kicking off his role on January 1, 2004. Mike’s bride of now 33 years was thrilled to come back home to the Commonwealth in particular because Blacksburg was where Lisa called home. Together, they have not looked back since having raised a daughter, Rachel and son, Adam. They also have one grandchild, James Patrick (son of Rachel G. and Brian Hagerty) who is celebrating his first birthday in late September.

Mike currently leads the turfgrass cultivar evaluation program at Virginia Tech working collaboratively with numerous faculty, staff, and graduate students. He is involved in other projects evaluating novel low-input turfgrass establishment techniques, but spends a great deal of time on the road with site visits to industry clientele, and the development and delivery of a wide range of educational programs.

While Mike has been involved in various organizations and has earned countless awards, one of the more relevant roles he has held was serving as the Board President for the Sports Field Managers Association. He has also been recognized as an ASA Fellow which is a prestigious distinction presented to recipients based on their professional contributions, leadership, and commitment to the field of statistical science. 

While part of his last name is G.O.A.T.ley encompasses the acronym “Greatest of All Time”, Mike is a modest person who enjoys helping people. Most who know Mike or know of him, would not guess that he is a closet introvert because so much of his job is ‘talking’.  However, a big part of successful communication is ‘listening’, and he feels pretty good about that skill (although Lisa might beg to differ sometimes)!

Mike got involved with the VSTMA when he came back to Virginia Tech in 2004. At the time, the VSTMA was newly forming and as a National STMA member, Mike was excited to see what value the VSTMA could bring to the Commonwealth.

As a VSTMA Board Advisor, Mike biggest goal is to promote and support an active and engaged Board. He has been encouraged and excited to see the current Board’s leadership and accountability of the Association.

The one piece of advice Mike would give is to never discount the value of being a successful communicator. He encourages others to introduce themselves to as many people as possible because one never knows how those connections will have an impact in the future. Mike recommends getting to know as much about people as possible, for what goes around, comes around.

If Mike could do it all over again, he wouldn’t change a thing. Mike has always had the good fortune of working with great Turf Team members at both Mississippi State and Virginia Tech and he keeps learning and has grown from his previous experiences personally and professionally. He recommends slowing down, smelling the roses, and paying attention to what matters by not overlooking family and friends. While it’s a challenging industry, remember what really matters.

If you want to know more about Mike, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected], you can follow him on Twitter @VATurf or at the next VSTMA Symposium on December 7, 2022.

Joel McTavish to join Landscape Supply as District Sales Representative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Joel McTavish to join Landscape Supply as District Sales Representative

Richmond, VA; SEPTEMBER 1, 2022: Landscape Supply, Inc. (“LSI”), a W.S. Connelly Company, is very excited to announce that industry veteran, Joel McTavish joins LSI as District Sales Representative. His responsibilities will include business and sales development on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Joel brings over 30 years industry experience to LSI, with the past 21 years serving as Golf Course Superintendent at Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links near Ocean City, Maryland. He has an array of industry experience which includes lawn care as owner-operator of Out of the Weeds Professional Turfgrass Solutions for 12 years. He is also a former board member and Past President of the ESAGCS (Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents) Joel is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Turfgrass Science.

“Joel is a fantastic addition to our LSI sales team as he brings a deep blend of both lawn care and golf course experience, a strong reputation of professionalism and operational excellence recognized by our industry and his peers” said Eric Snelsire, Director of Sales & Marketing for Landscape Supply. “It was clear through a very thorough interview process that Joel’s work ethic, values and character aligned perfectly with our company. As we continue our growth into new markets, Joel’s reputation, leadership and strong background will help accelerate our plan to serve our customers on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware. We are thrilled to have him as part of the LSI family!” stated Snelsire.

“I am excited to join the Landscape Supply team and open this next chapter of my career. The Eastern Shore is my home and where I’ve built my family and career over the past 20+ years. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and look forward to serving the industry in my new role” stated Joel McTavish, District Sales Representative, Landscape Supply. Start date scheduled for 9/12. Contact Info: [email protected] (443) 783-4614 – cell

About Landscape Supply, Inc. Landscape Supply, Inc. is a subsidiary of W.S. Connelly Companies. Operating in 14 distribution centers, LSI serves the green industry from the Mid-West to the Mid-Atlantic. Landscape Supply prides itself on being most passionate to serve. The network of service centers provides Landscape Supply’s customers with the highest level of customer service. No company is more committed to doing things right for their customers, fully engaging themselves into the stewardship of the industry.

VSTMA Member of the Month - AUGUST 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, John Whitty for this month of August 2022.

Starting from the age of six years old, John dove into the lawn care business mowing his family’s yard in Henrico County, VA. When he got a little older, John expanded his business mowing his neighbor’s yards during the summer months. He ran his own business all throughout high school while also tending to his high school athletic field and campus.

Upon graduating from high school, John attended Virginia Tech to study Landscape Turf Management in the two-year Agricultural Program. While at Virginia Tech, John maintained a part time position at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech and interned with Ruppert Landscape. Upon graduation, John wanted to enhance his skillset by adding irrigation to his toolbox and thus accepted a position with Ruppert Landscape as an irrigation technician. John then worked as an Assistant Superintendent at Salisbury Country Club as his heart was in turfgrass before landing at the University of Richmond as a groundkeeper.

John started at the bottom so-to-speak before being promoted to a gardener where he was responsible for maintaining the admissions building area along with all of the high tourist areas on campus. John is now supervising the maintenance of the athletic fields overseeing nine fields and ten tennis courts with a team of five employees. To make the role even more interesting and challenging, John is also responsible for supervising the auto shop that maintains the University’s entire fleet of vehicles.

Overall, John’s passion has been and continues to be in turfgrass and he is constantly looking for ways to make the University’s athletic fields as optimal as can be.

On John’s free weekends, he can be found riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle cruising the backroads of Virginia on the Blueridge Parkway or Tennessee and North Carolina on the Cherohala Skyway. John also enjoys fishing and playing the guitar with music genera ranging from alternative rock, classic rock, and country. Some of his all-time favorite artists include the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Hank Williams Jr.

John got involved with VSTMA when his current boss, Allison Moyer encouraged him to attend a VSTMA Symposium event. Two years ago, she formally recommended John to serve as a VSTMA Board Member and being so passionate about turfgrass, John happily accepted. He has enjoyed meeting and networking with fellow turfgrass professionals.

As a VSTMA Board Member, John’s biggest goal is to keep the turf industry alive by working together with like-minded professionals.

The one piece of advice John would give is work hard, don’t give up, and give your best each and every day. Don’t’ give up when things get hard, keep on pushing. Keep a positive and professional attitude no matter how challenging times get and take care of your employees.

If John could do it all over again, he may have completed the four-year program at Virginia Tech. However, his interest was specifically in turfgrass, not necessarily environmental science. If he could have skipped some of the general courses and focused just on the hands-on learning, John would have gone for it.

If you want to know more about John, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected] or at the next VSTMA Symposium on December 7, 2022.

49th Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Field Day & Expo!

The Field Day on August 30th is FREE to VSTMA members and includes lunch.
Proceeds from the $30 per person fee to play golf goes directly to Turfgrass Research.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.vaturfgrass.org/events

VSTMA Member of the Month - JULY 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Dr. Daniel “Dan” Sandor for this month of July 2022.

Growing up in the tiny rural countryside of Morrow County, Ohio, Dan always loved working outside. He remembers taking care of his family’s lawn and helping his friends who had lawn care businesses. When Dan was in high school, the Ohio State University attended a college recruitment day at his school and on the back of one of their brochures, Dan noticed an advertisement for its turfgrass management program. You would think that with all these signs, Dan would have decided on turf management for his undergraduate studies. Nope!

Dan kicked off his collegiate studies at Florida College, a small Christian college in Tampa, FL to major in music composition with the goal of writing film scores for movies. Dan soon realized that music was not what he originally thought and after completing his associates degree, he followed in his best friend’s footsteps and transferred to the Dept. of Agriculture at Western Kentucky University (WKU) to study turfgrass management. After finishing his undergraduate degree, Dan’s advisor, Dr. Paul Woosley, encouraged him to pursue a graduate program. While he made good grades, Dan did not originally think of himself as an academic. Nevertheless, in June 2011 Dan became Dr. Woosley’s first turfgrass graduate student at WKU. Dr. Jack Rudolph, the department head, then persuaded Dan to pursue a PhD, and thus Dan further continued his graduate studies beginning in August 2013 in the Department of Horticulture at University of Arkansas under turfgrass scientist, Dr. Doug Karcher. Dan’s dissertation research investigated new irrigation technologies and improved cultural practices to enhance water-conservation for lawns in the transition-zone.

Upon earning his doctorate in May 2018, Dan then served as a postdoctoral associate in the Dept. of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota primarily working with the regional planning authority for the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, promoting and leading their turfgrass water-conservation program. While Dan came from a small Ohio country town with just 211 folks, he quickly embraced the vibrant urban environment of the Twin Cities with its population of over 3.2-million residents, and he thoroughly enjoyed teaching its many citizens and communities about turfgrass best management practices. In November 2019 Dan arrived in the Commonwealth of Virginia upon accepting a position as an assistant professor of turfgrass science in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech where he has been ever since.

Dan got involved with VSTMA when Whitnee Askew, the previous VSTMA Executive Director, invited him to join soon after he started working at Virginia Tech. Dan’s role at the time was to serve as an academic advisor to the VSTMA.

As a VSTMA Board Member, Dan’s biggest goal is for VSTMA members to have optimal playing surfaces and safe sports fields of high quality. As there are many important decisions to be made when considering field expectations, environmental conditions, budget constraints, and labor limitations - his goal is to provide his scientific expertise and also share the research findings of his VT Turfgrass colleagues and turfgrass scientists and researchers across the country with Virginia’s sports field managers so that they can make the best decisions for their fields. Dan also likes to be strongly involved with connecting and engaging Virginia’s high school turfgrass programs with the many sports field managers and turfgrass-industry professionals spread throughout the Commonwealth.

The one piece of advice Dan would give is for people to find a place to lead in anything they do. Leadership is often in the littlest of things and may ultimately lead to the most significant of impacts. He encourages folks to strive for and excel in some sort of leadership opportunity whether as a professional or even in their personal life.

If Dan could do it all over again, he would still be teaching or doing some sort of extension and research work in forage crops or socioenvironmental issues.

If you want to know more about Dan, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected] and/or Twitter @VTTurfTeaching.   

VSTMA Member of the Month - JUNE 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Jared King for this month of June 2022.

Throughout his life, Jared loved playing sports including baseball, soccer, football, basketball, even wiffle ball to name a few. Like many kids growing up, his dream was to one day become a professional athlete. During the summer months, Jared enjoyed playing wiffle ball with his two younger brothers from 6am to dusk stopping only for food breaks and to enjoy the country time lemonade that his mom prepared for her sons. Jared took the responsibility of coordinating wiffle ball games and practices very seriously by tracking statistics, measuring the field, painting foul lines, and mowing the grass to have the line markings like he saw on professional sports fields. Jared’s commitment was to make the field as professional as possible, and he saw how elements such as rocks and weeds impacted the playability and safety of the field.

Upon graduating high school, Jared served a two-year mission in the Philippines (see far right picture below) with his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While abroad, he learned the Tagalog language to be able to communicate and serve all kinds of people all while spreading the Gospel. When he arrived back in the USA, Jared went to Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York to play collegiate football. That is where he met his wife, Etta and they were married a year later. After two years, Jared transferred to Southern Virginia University to continue playing football. Jared knew that upon graduation, he wanted to continue working in athletics and decided to major in Business Management with a focus in field maintenance while working at Vista Links Golf Course during the summer months.

After graduating, Jared accepted a position as an Assistant Superintendent at Birkdale Golf Club in Richmond, VA. He later transferred to Langley Air Force Base as an Assistant Superintendent. While he enjoyed his time on the golf courses, his passion was in sports fields, so Jared remained vigilant hoping for an Athletic Field Manager position to become available. His first stint came at Wake Forest University where he accepted a position as a Sports Turf Technician where he was able to learn about both natural and synthetic turf fields. At the same time, Jared also worked part time at the minor league baseball stadium in Winston-Salem. During his time in North Carolina, Jared joined the North Carolina STMA Chapter.

After six years, Jared made his way back to the Commonwealth by accepting a position as the Director of Athletic Facilities at his alma mater, Southern Virginia University. As Jared puts it, “It was nice to give back to the school I attended by making a difference improving the field surfaces.” Two years ago, Jared accepted the position of Grounds Supervisor at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) which has expanded his skillset as he has learned to balance his love of field maintenance with collegiate events and programs.

All along the way, Jared and Etta had three children (15, 13, and 9 years old) as seen in the picture below. Jared enjoys providing for his family. When days get tough, it’s Jared’s family and their faith that keeps him going, making it all worth it.

Jared got involved with VSTMA when he began working at the Southern Virginia University. Since he was already a part of the North Carolina STMA Chapter, Jared felt it was a natural transition. He enjoys growing and learning about turf from his peers.

As a VSTMA Board Member, Jared’s biggest goal is to help others in the industry find professional connections. While this is a friendly industry, Jared wants to help others realize there are smart, educated professionals around you willing to help.

The one piece of advice Jared would give is that things happen for a reason. Trials are learning opportunities. Have a student mindset – what can I be learning from this?

If Jared could do it all over again, he would have worked on sports fields in high school and then majored in turf management in college. He didn’t know at that time that this type of professional track existed.

If you want to know more about Jared, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected], LinkedIn, and/or Twitter @TurfKeydet.

Walker Supply, Inc. partners with W.S. Connelly & Company, Inc.

VSTMA Member of the Month - MAY 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Mark Roberts, CSFM for this month of May 2022.

As a youth, Mark’s interest was in animal science and chose to attend Ferrum College in Southwest, VA to earn an agricultural degree in Equine Management. Upon graduation, he accepted a position to work with a team of horses sponsored by Southern States and traveled the East Coast showing the horses at regional fairs. Mark’s work must have made a good impression because it didn’t take long for Southern States to hire Mark as its Equine Specialist. While at Southern States, he met a team of representatives from Luck Stone who were looking to enhance their topsoil business and convinced Mark to join them. While selling topsoil and developing a client base, Mark’s customers started asking him for infield mix and that kicked off Mark’s transition into the sports turf industry. While working for Herod Seed selling sports turf, one of his largest customers was Rodney Hopkins when Rodney was with the Richmond Strikers. When Rodney took the leap to start his own company, Innovative Turf Application Consulting (ITAC), he took Mark along for the ride.

From there, Mark saw an opportunity at the Steward School to build and maintain its athletic fields and the rest as they say is history. Mark has been the Athletic Field and Turf Manager for the Steward School for the last 12 years. In 2014, Mark won the STMA (now SFMA) High School Field of the Year Award for the Steward School’s baseball field. He became a Certified Nutrient Management Planner in 2015 and a Certified Sports Field Manager in 2016. Equally as important, Mark has developed a solid partnership with the Steward School’s Athletic Director who trusts Mark to make the decisions regarding the safety of field play.

God, family, deer hunting, and turf are the foundations of Mark’s life. Mark is married to his bride of 18 years, and they have two sons who both attend the Steward School.

Mark got involved with VSTMA in 1998 when he met Tim Swain. Tim was the Turf Manager for Henrico County Park and Recreation and was in the process of revitalizing the VSTMA Chapter and asked Mark to join him in his efforts. The first Field Day kicked off at Randolph Macon College in Hanover, VA and the Chapter grew from there. Mark has served as a Board Member in various roles for the past 20 years and is eager to share his institutional and organizational knowledge with newer members looking to carry the torch forward.

As a VSTMA Board Member, Mark’s biggest goal is to get high school coaches and athletic directors involved in the VSTMA so that they can learn from industry experts.

The one piece of advice Mark would give is to always leave your field “game ready”. As a private school, the Steward School is in constant competition to attract new students. Since Mark never knows when prospective students will visit, his fields are always ready.

If Mark could do it all over again, Mark may have traveled west to work on a cattle ranch (nevertheless, it’s been a great ride, no pun intended).

If you want to know more about Mark, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected].

VSTMA Member of the Month - APRIL 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Patrick “Irish” Coakley for this month of April 2022.

Like many teenagers, Irish didn’t have a clue as to what he wanted to do for a living when he grew up. He loved playing sports and when applying for colleges, he fell in love with the campus of the University of Massachusetts (UMass). Coincidently, UMass happened to have one of the best sports management programs in the country and thus, Irish decided that’s what he would study. Upon graduation, Irish kicked off his career as a turf manager with the minor leagues where he eventually worked for seven different teams in various states. Throughout his time in the minor leagues, Irish won five Minor League Baseball Field of the Year Awards in two different leagues. In addition, while working for the Altuna Curve, a AA Team for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the field won the AA Field of the Year Award and the STMA Professional Baseball Field of the Year Award.

After a brief period in the athletic field construction industry, Irish ended up in Aberdeen, MD working for Ripken Baseball. Going into 2018, Irish joined DuraEdge as the Business Development Manager for the Mid-Atlantic. In Irish’s own words, “being a lifelong dirt guy, Duraedge has been a solid fit”.

While traveling the East Coast in minor league baseball, Irish met his bride of 20 years as she was also working in the minor leagues in group sales. They naturally hit it off and now reside in Maryland with their 17-year-old daughter who grew up a child of minor league baseball moving with her parents to four different states all before the age of six.

Irish got involved with VSTMA soon after joining DuraEdge as a way to build his network and client base. After spending a few years working as a committee member and Director with the Mid-Atlantic STMA Chapter (MASTMA) Board, Irish looked south to Virginia to help make an impact in the Commonwealth. Soon after Irish reached out to the Board to get more involved, VSTMA President, Chris Webb approached Irish when a director position opened on the Board and the rest is history.

As a VSTMA Board Member, Irish’s biggest goal is to increase member participation in VSTMA committees and programs.

The one piece of advice Irish would give is to get involved in one’s own future. This is an opportune time in the turf industry as one of the many things the pandemic exposed is that sports field managers are vital to keeping fields playable and safe.  

If Irish could do it all over again, Irish would have majored in turf management instead of sports management. While his original ambition was the potential of making it to the “front office”, Irish discovered he preferred working outside as opposed to behind a desk.

If you want to know more about Irish, you are welcome to connect with him via phone at 410-241-3013 or email at [email protected].

VSTMA Member of the Month - MARCH 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, John Crain for this month of March 2022.

Growing up in Virginia Beach, John spent much of his early years developing a love of turf. When he was 8 years old, John purchased his first lawn mower from a neighbor and began mowing lawns for $5 per lawn. By the time he was 14 years old, John had managed to save $8,000. He then began working at Kempsville Meadows Golf Club and started playing golf. His mentor, Johnny Kelly, owner and head pro of Kempsville, encouraged John to follow his passion for turf and apply to Virginia Tech's Agronomy Program. However, John's father who was a Certified Public Accountant told John that there was no money in turf and persuaded him to attend Old Dominion University to pursue a degree in business. Initially, John took his father’s advice, but after attending one year at Old Dominion University, he transferred to Virginia Tech. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy, John took an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent position at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg for three plus years, did a short stint at Langley Air Force Base's Eaglewood Golf Course in Hampton as a Superintendent, and then spent 14 years with Colonial Williamsburg's Golden Horseshoe Golf Course as a Superintendent of the Green Course, which he helped grow-in. John then went on to become an Account Executive with Smith Turf and Irrigation (STI) for 18 years where he sold mainly Toro Turf Equipment Solutions to over 300 golf courses, sports fields, and ground accounts throughout Virginia. 

John and his bride of 30 years, Donna raised six children (five daughters and one son). While his children were growing up, he enjoyed coaching and maintaining the softball and baseball fields for Warwick Little League where his children played. During that time, John was also a member of the VSTMA. In 2011, after being approached by Chris Bassett of STI, John joined the VSTMA Board of Directors and has since served several board positions.

Throughout his life, John has always been a saver and financially resourceful. In 2019, John left STI to begin a new practice as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. He currently works in York County and resides in Newport News. In addition to his service with the VSTMA, John is an usher at his church and serves on three additional boards, the Hidenwood Recreation Association, the York County Chamber of Commerce, and the Alzheimer's Association on the Virginia Peninsula. John continues to work with Warwick Little League by maintaining its Toro Infieldpro 3040 and reconditioning the League’s infields each spring. In his spare time, John enjoys spending time with his family, disc jockeying, and playing golf with friends.

John got involved with the VSTMA in 2001, when Chris Bassett invited him to join the Association after assisting with the VSTMA Field Day at George Mason University.

As a VSTMA Board Member, John’s biggest goal is to educate Sports Turf Managers on best maintenance practices to improve sports fields while making their lives easier personally and professionally.

The one piece of advice John would give is to not let today's life prevent you from planning ahead. Time is your best friend if you plan for tomorrow, today.

If John could do it all over again, John would have saved/invested more of his money in his 20s and 30s so that he had more funds ready for his retirement years.

If you want to know more about John, you are welcome to connect with him via e-mail at:  [email protected] or via cell phone at: 757-651-2880.

VSTMA Member of the Month - FEBRUARY 2022

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month

featuring its own Board Member, Andrew “Drew” Miller for this month of February 2022.

As Drew puts in, his love with turf stemmed from his failed attempt at playing professional baseball. Growing up, Drew loved being on sports fields primarily as a baseball catcher. Upon graduating from Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, VA Drew accepted an opportunity to play division 3 baseball with Shenandoah University. You know what they say about turning lemons into lemonade. While Drew’s collegiate athletic career was turning to lemons so-to-speak after his freshman year, he found a way to stay close to the game through turf management. Upon learning about Virginia Tech’s Turfgrass Management Program, Drew immediately transferred to finish his bachelor’s degree in Turf and Turfgrass Management and a master’s degree in Education. After graduating, Drew accepted a position as the Director of the Brentsville Turfgrass Management Program, which is one of the few premier high school turf programs not just in the Commonwealth, but nationwide.

Many of you may know Drew for his two-time winning STMA (now SFMA) Field of the Year Awards, but there is so much more behind the scenes. Drew:

• Teaches five classes of turf and landscape at Brentsville High School,
• Runs and operates the Podcast, Tiger Turf Talk,
• Fundraises by providing field maintenance throughout the local community, and
• Partners with the Sports Field Managers Association (SFMA) to provide awareness and solicit interest of the next generation of turf managers.
  
  

In his spare time (if any), Drew is the proud papa to his three-year old golden retriever, Rigley.

Drew got involved with VSTMA while he was attending the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Program when Dr. Michael Goatley encouraged students to become members.

As a VSTMA Board Member, Drew’s biggest goal is to help provide a valuable experience for current members while increasing membership overall.

The one piece of advice Drew would give is to understand your worth. A turf grass manager sets the stage for creating lifelong memories whether as a player or a fan.

If Drew could do it all over again, Drew would understand when to shut off - when to take time to stop and smell the roses.

If you want to know more about Drew, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected] or Twitter @TurfgrassTiger.

VSTMA Member Of The Month - DECEMBER 2021

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member, Matthew Austin for this month of December.

Growing up in rural Ohio in a lake side community, Matthew spent much of his time fishing, hunting, and enjoying water sports. His love of the outdoors was reinforced by his father who worked as a fishery biologist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. After high school, Matthew attended Wright State University in Dayton, OH where he began studying environmental science. Three years into his degree, Matthew decided that his career pathway at Wright State was not for him and transferred to Ohio State University to major in turfgrass management with a goal of becoming a golf course superintendent. While at Ohio State, he served as the Turf Club Vice President and was invited to attend the National Golf Course Superintendents Conference in New Orleans, LA during Mardi Gras that year. Let’s just say as a college student who “experienced” Mardi Gras, Matthew’s love for the turf grass industry, which facilitated this experience, only grew.

Upon graduation, Matthew moved to Virginia and became a golf course superintendent at Fords Colony Country Club where he spent four years until going into sales before realizing that his passion for the industry was not on the sales side. Matthew was soon hired as the Athletic Supervisor for the City of Newport News where he used his knowledge of agronomics and golf course management to apply it to athletic field maintenance. Matthew spent six years with the City of Newport News before transitioning seven years ago to his current role as the Parks and Grounds Superintendent for James City County.

Matthew is married to his wife of 13 lucky years and together they have two children, an 11-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. During his spare time, Matthew enjoys traveling with his family and supporting his son’s competitive mountain biking team and coaching his daughter’s travel softball team.

Matthew got involved with VSTMA when John Crain invited him to join the association after purchasing equipment from John’s company.

As a VSTMA Board Member, Matthew’s biggest goal is to create awareness throughout the athletic community regarding the professionalism of VSTMA members.

The one piece of advice Matthew would give is that if you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you do not, you will find an excuse.

If Matthew could do it all over again, Matthew would have followed in his father’s footsteps to become a fishery biologist.

If you want to know more about Matthew, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected].   

Announcing VSTMA Field of the Year Award!!!

The VSTMA is proud to announce the creation of the VSTMA Field of the Year Award!

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association (VSTMA) recognizes its members and their colleagues for their dedication to providing safe, playable sports field conditions.

Applications for the VSTMA Field of the Year Award are due on October 1st each year and will be evaluated based on a 12-month calendar cycle from October 1st through September 30th leading up to the entry deadline. Applicants must be good standing VSTMA members.

Applications will be judged based on a number of factors to include intensity of field use, staff size, budget, and challenges. As applicants will not be judged solely on the overall aesthetic look of their field, applicants are encouraged to show the good, bad and ugly throughout the year.

The winning teams will be determined by December 1st and presented at the Annual VSTMA Symposium. They will receive a field banner, plaque, press coverage, and lunch for their team (up to 10 crew members).

One Winner for each of the Four (4) Categories

College and University                                    K – 12 Schools

Parks and Recreation                                      Professional

Please visit the VSTMA website to apply: VSTMA Field of the Year Application

VSTMA Member of the Month - NOVEMBER 2021

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month featuring its own Board Member and Treasurer, Kyle White for this month of November.

Growing up in the Southwest Virginia, Roanoke, Kyle loved to run and boy, he was fast. He participated in track and cross country in high school and then pursed a roster position on the varsity track and field team at Virginia Commonwealth University while majoring in marketing. Kyle broke into the sports turf industry a little over a decade ago when he was hired with McGill Environmental Systems. While at McGill, Kyle developed a love of compost sustainability recycling organic waste and turning it into something useful like youth athletic fields throughout the Commonwealth. They say, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and that pretty much sums it up for Kyle. After spending three years in the erosion & sediment control industry, Kyle transitioned to Luck Ecosystems in 2019 where he got to work with turf managers with an array of different materials while helping to manage projects.

Kyle got involved with VSTMA when VSTMA President, Chris Webb picked up the phone and invited Kyle to be on the Board.

As a VSTMA Board Member, Kyle’s biggest goal is to help develop and coach VSTMA Members with business skills and data to best help them and the VSTMA grow.

The one piece of advice Kyle would give is identify your core values, share them with your teammates and others you work with. Be yourself, have a plan, and be prepared to execute said plan. If you don’t know, don’t be shy to ask – people would love to help you!

If Kyle could do it all over again, he wouldn’t change a thing. Kyle feels blessed and has enjoyed the relationships he’s made along the way.

If you want to know more about Kyle, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected] and/or LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/kyle-white-a11a524b.

VSTMA 2022 Sponsorship Opportunities

VSTMA 2022 Sponsorship Opportunities

Please see the link highlighting the VSTMA 2022 Sponsorship Opportunities.

The VSTMA is moving away from “event” sponsors and focused on developing annual partnerships with varying benefits depending on the sponsor level. With annual sponsorships, the VSTMA is looking at providing exposure and recognition to our generous sponsors throughout the year using a streamlined approach with one invoice. ;)

As a result of the VSTMA Sponsor Event last week, five of the six GOLD Sponsorships have been taken leaving ONE left (first come, first serve). There are unlimited SILVER and GREEN Sponsorships available.

If you are interested, please reach out to VSTMA Executive Director, Melissa Dornan at [email protected] and/or 202-617-0447.

Thank you for your consideration and support of the VSTMA!

Virtual Athletic Fields Training 11/09/2021

Special thanks to the Virginia Recreation and Park Society for hosting the event and Turf Equipment and Supply Company, STI, and Toro for sponsoring! Please see below for details. Both VRPS and VSTMA Members get the discounted rate of $35 to attend. Register at: https://www.vrps.com/events/athletic-fields/

VSTMA Member Of The Month - OCTOBER 2021

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month highlight featuring its own Board Member and Sponsorship Chair, Joey Elmore for this month of October.

Growing up in the Midwest, Joey loved going to Chicago White Sox games with his grandpa who was a season ticket holder. Joey admired Guaranteed Rate Field’s grass stripes thinking that it was one of the most beautiful things, never once considering that he could one day make a field of his own just as beautiful. Joey ended up attending Monmouth College in Illinois and pursued a dual major degree in kinesiology - sports management and political science. Before graduating, he interned with the Burlington Bees where he met Andrew Reyes who took him under his wing and showed him how much fun groundskeeping can be. When Andrew left to pursue a role with another team, Joey got to step up and serve as the Field Manager until Budgie Clark was hired. To this day, Joey admits that during his tenure as the Bee’s Field Manager, the grass lines were probably the most crooked ever. Eventually, Budgie became instrumental in securing Joey’s passion for the sports turf industry and helped relocate him to Southwest Virginia where Joey now serves as the Head Groundskeeper for the Salem Red Sox. Even though Joey’s favorite team is still the White Sox, the Red Sox come in as a close runner-up. The White Sox are on Joey’s right foot while the Red Sox are on his left so-to-speak.

As the VSTMA Sponsorship Chair, Joey will be hosting the VSTMA Sponsor Event on November 4^th, 2021 at Salem Memorial Ballpark. Past, current, and prospective sponsors are welcome to attend as a thank you for supporting VSTMA over the years.

Joey got involved with VSTMA when someone asked if he was going to the STMA National Convention. While looking into STMA, Joey found our local Virginia STMA Chapter and immediately signed up to attend the 2018 VSTMA Symposium. After meeting several VSTMA Board Members at Symposium, Joey realized that the VSTMA was a great fit for him and officially joined as a member.

As a VSTMA Board Member, Joey’s biggest goal is to empower youth interested in the sports turf industry.

The one piece of advice Joey would give is don’t overthink it.

If Joey could do it all over again, he would have gotten his degree in sports turf (instead of kinesiology - sports management and political science). Joey plans to pursue a sports turf degree along with the CFSM certificate in the near future.

If you want to know more about Joey, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected] and/or Twitter at @JoeyElmore38.

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STMA Video - Featuring VSTMA's own DREW MILLER

Check out the recent STMA video where VSTMA member, Drew Miller is highlighted: https://we.tl/t-ozUXEfl3bK

Virginia Sod Growers - Fundraiser for Turfgrass Research

Virginia Sod Growers - Fundraiser for Turfgrass Research - Sponsorships & Golf Teams

Please help spread the information by forwarding this to your local suppliers, customers and thoses who like to golf.

The Virginia Sod growers will hold its 4^th annual golf tournament to fund turfgrass research on Thursday, November 4th.  Over the last 30+ years VSG has donated more than $80,000.00 to the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation, funding turfgrass research in Virginia.  With the support of sponsors like you the VSG was able to donate a total of $15,000.00 in the last two years, enabling the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation's Endowment to reach a million dollars. With this endowment The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation will be able to sponsor turfgrass research for years to come. 

Major Sponsorships ($500) are available for food, beverages, prizes and the sponsorship of the VA Tech Turf Team foursome.  Major Sponsors receive company & logo placement on the beverage carts, or throughout the dining area, or at the prize table, as well as recognition throughout the tournament and in all marketing collateral and events.  Major Sponsors will have the opportunity to place a tent and banners (provided by the sponsor) at one of the tees in order to interact with the golfers.  If a representative from your company can not attend we can make arrangements for banners and information to be displayed during registration, warm up and at the awards reception after the tournament.

Hole Sponsorships ($100) receive hole signage with company name and logo and recognition at the tournament.

Teams ($475) /Single Player ($125) teams receive recognition at the tournament. 

Major Sponsors, Hole Sponsors, Teams, and Individual players will all receive recognition throughout the year.
The Virginia Sod Growers appreciate your support and hope that you and others will consider a sponsorship and/or field a team this year. The flyer for this year's event along with pictures of last year's event are attached.

Virginia Sod Growers
Turfgrass Research Golf Tournament
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Tee Off 10:00 AM 

The Crossings Golf Club
800 Virginia Center Parkway
Glen Allen, VA 23059
804.261.0000 

Join us for a fun day of golf for turfgrass research.

2021 Golf Fundraiser Participants To Date 

2021 Major Sponsors 
Chesapeake Valley Seed/Landscape Supply; Home Field Fertilizer; Magnum Equipment; M&M Consulting; Meadowspring Turf Farm; Sod Solutions

2021 Hole Sponsors 
Bass Sod Farm; Brookmeade Sod Farm; Edward Jones/Jeff Earnhardt; Farm Credit of Virginias; First Products; Landmark Seed Company; Newsom Seed; Ridgeview New Holland; Somerset Seed & Sod

1. Prize Items
2. Somerset Seed & Sod

2021 Team Sponsors
Brookmeade Sod Farm; Chesapeake Valley Seed; Home Field Fertilizer Landscape Supply; Meadowspring Turf Farm

Thank You 2020 Golf Fundraiser Participants

2020 Major Sponsors  
Chantilly Turf Farms; Home Field Fertilizer; Magnum Equipment; Meadowspring Turf Farm;
Mountain View Seeds; Newsom; Ridgeview New Holland;  SiteOne; Sod Solutions; Somerset Seed & Sod 

2020 Team Sponsors 
BCA Contracting; Chantilly Turf Farms; Chesapeake Valley Seed; FireFly Equipment; Franklin Turfgrass; Home Field Fertilizer; Landscape Supply; Meadowspring Turf Farm Teams A & B; SiteOne Teams A, B & C; Somerset Seed & Sod; VA Tech Turf Team

2020 Hole Sponsors
Brookmeade Sod Farm; Centreville Sod; Chantilly Turf Farms; Chesapeake Valley Seed; Culpeper Farmers Coop; Edward Jones; Firefly Equipment; Franklin Turfgrass; Home Field Fertilizer; Landscape Supply; M&M Consulting; Meadowspring Turf Farm; Nutrien Solutions; Pennington; Riverside Turf; SiteOne; Va. Crop Improvement; Winchester Southern States Coop; Woodward Turf Farms

Best Regards,
Jeff Everhart, Secretary/Treasurer
Virginia Sod Growers, Inc.    
540-760-5040 cell

VSTMA Member of the Month - SEPTEMBER 2021

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association continues the VSTMA Member of the Month highlight featuring its own Board Vice President, Brian Hinkley, CSFM for this month of September.

Growing up, Brian played every sport imaginable from ice hockey to wresting with his favorite being baseball. At 15 years of age, he began his career with Liberty University as a seasonal worker for the Grounds Department. Shortly after high school, Brian transitioned from a full-time student to a full-time groundskeeper at Liberty all while getting married and starting a family. Throughout his 26-year career at Liberty, Brian has done almost every job in the grounds department with the last 18 years specializing on the sports fields. One of Brian’s biggest career accomplishments is winning the STMA College Soccer Field of the year in 2018. Today, Brian serves as Liberty University's Assistant Director of Grounds.

As the VSTMA Vice President, Brian will be hosting the Annual VSTMA Symposium on December 1st, 2021 at Liberty University. Registration is live (free for members/$50 for non-members) and he hopes to see as many VSTMA members and guests as possible.

Brian got involved with VSTMA as a result of Randy Johnson, past VSTMA President and Grounds Manager at Liberty University, who encouraged Brian to join. Randy just recently retired and is enjoying life (congratulations, Randy!).

As the VSTMA Board Vice President, Brian’s biggest goal is to expand VSTMA’s influence within the turf industry.

The one piece of advice Brian would give is you only get one life, make it count! Brian gives everything he has to God and family and thanks his wife and two children for their love and support over the years.

If Brian could do it all over again, he would network more earlier in his career.

If you want to know more about Brian, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected].

VSTMA Member of the Month - AUGUST 2021

The Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association is thrilled to announce the VSTMA Member of the Month highlight. Each month VSTMA will spotlight one of its members with a brief bio, pictures, and fun facts. Kicking it off for this month of August, VSTMA is featuring its own Board President, Christopher Webb, CSFM.

Chris’ interest in the sports turf management field stemmed from earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Crop and Soil Environmental Silence from Virginia Tech. However, his passion for the field (no pun intended) was ignited during those summer months in college when he interned with the Washington Nationals Baseball Club under the leadership and guidance of Larry DiVito. During one of those summers, Chris had the opportunity of being a part of the inaugural Nationals Park season.

After graduating, Chris worked in professional grounds management before finding a home at Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, Virginia where he is the current Associate Director of Grounds. One of Chris’ many professional accomplishments at CNU is winning the STMA Field of the Year Awards in the Collegiate Softball and Soccer categories of which he attributes to the teamwork of his entire department.

His personal accomplishments include being happily married to his wife, Courtney, and a loving father to his two sons, three-year-old, Carter and newborn, Carson.    

Chris got involved with VSTMA as a recipient of a VSTMA scholarship while he was at Virginia Tech. Once his department took over maintenance of their athletic fields in 2016, he quickly rejoined to grow his network of field managers and sports field management specific education.

As the VSTMA Board President, Chris’ biggest goal is to grow the reach and reputation of its members, their teams, and the chapter.  

If there is one piece of advice Chris would give it is to make time for life outside of work whether that is family, friends, or the outdoors.  

If Chris could do it all over again, he wouldn't change a thing. In Chris’ words, "I feel blessed to have such a great, supportive family at home combined with a trustworthy, and hardworking team at CNU."

If you want to know more about Chris, you are welcome to connect with him via email at [email protected] or on twitter at @Cwebb757.

Announcements from Revels Turf and Tractor Company

Date: 8/13/21
Announcements from Revels Turf and Tractor Company

We announce that Greg Austin will be our new Regional Sales Manager for SC, NC, VA, WV, and PA. Greg has been the Territory Manager for the Southwest Virginia and West Virginia Territory for the last 16 years and will now work closely with our 8 Territory Managers from Pennsylvania to South Carolina.

We are also pleased to announce that Cam Shelton will be joining the Revels Turf and Tractor Team as the new Territory Manager for the Southwest Virginia and West Virginia Territory. Cam has been a superintendent at Tuscarora CC in Danville, VA, for the last four years; before that, he attended Virginia Tech, where he received a Master's degree in Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science. Cam will be a great addition to our Revels Sales Team, and we look forward to serving our great customers with even more support. Cam will start effective 8/18/21; his contact number is 434-334-9049, and his email is [email protected].

Thank you,
Turner Revels - President
Anthony Revels - CEO

Welcome, Patrick "Irish" Coakley, CSFM to the VSTMA Board of Directors

VSTMA President, Christopher Webb recently appointed Patrick "Irish" Coakley, CSFM to serve as the Commercial Director for the VSTMA Board. Patrick is a Territory Sales Representative at DuraEdge Products, Inc. and has served on multiple boards including the Maryland Turfgrass Council and Mid-Atlantic Sports Turf Managers Association. He was a Committee Chair leading the efforts to develop a Best Management Practice (BMP) manual for both STMA and the Mid-Atlantic. Patrick's sports turf career includes 23 years in professional minor league baseball. Welcome, Patrick!

Congratulations, Sam Doak!

One of VSTMA's esteemed members, Sam Doak will be retiring in a few weeks from his position leading the turf teaching program in VT Agriculture Technology. Congratulations and best wishes to Sam with his future endeavors and a sincere thank you for all of his support of VSTMA.

Sam's background and description can be viewed via the following link:
https://www.cals.vt.edu/academic-programs/agtech/faculty-staff/doak-sam.html

Welcome VSTMA's new Executive Director!

The VSTMA Board of Directors and I are pleased to announce that we have hired Melissa Dornan as our new Executive Director. Melissa has served as an Executive Director, Financial Educator, and Speaker for several non-profit associations. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia Tech in Business Management and Global Business and a Master of Business Administration from the George Washington School of Business. She is actively involved in her church and community and enjoys traveling, jogging, and spending time with her family at their home in Maryland. 

Whitnee Askew has served as the Executive Director to the VSTMA since joing us in 2008. Whitnee will be assisting with the transition through our Field Day event in June. We cannot begin to express how grateful we are to Whitnee for her hard work, guidance, and dedication since 2008 - thank you, Whitnee! 

While we are going to miss Whitnee, we look forward to working with Melissa to grow the reach, reputation, and offerings of our association. Melissa can be reached at (202) 617-0447 or by email at [email protected]. 

Please join me in welcoming Melissa to the VSTMA team!

Thanks,
Chris Webb
VSTMA President
--
Chris Webb, CSFM
Associate Director of Grounds
Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue of the Arts
Newport News, VA 23606
Phone: 757-594-8898