STMA’s most prestigious awards, the Founders Awards, were presented to four members who have followed in the footsteps of those who created the association. The four were surprised with the honor during STMA’s annual awards banquet.
The Harry C. Gill Memorial Award], STMA’s highest honor, was presented to Texas A&M University’s manager of athletic fields Leo Goertz. This award was established to honor an individual for their hard work in the sports turf industry and to acknowledge their dedication to STMA. Goertz was honored for his commitment in hosting community events, presenting at his local chapter programs and at STMA, and broadly sharing his knowledge with his peers. He has a solid legacy with those who he has mentored and helped along the way during his 30+ years in the business. In his nomination, he was cited for exemplifying all the traits that Harry Gill brought to the profession—hope, determination, passion and dedication. Goertz has been an active member of STMA since 1988 and is past president of the STMA Texas Chapter. He also serves as Vice President of the SAFE Foundation Board of Trustees.
Mike Trigg, CSFM received the Dick Ericson Award for his contributions to the industry. Trigg is Superintendent of Parks for Waukegan Parks District, IL. He was cited for his organization, leadership and impact on STMA through several governance initiatives and strategic planning while he led the association as its 15th president. The Ericson award is issued to someone who plans and executes the sports turf management of their facility, team leadership, and has a positive influence on the industry.
Dr. John Sorochan, associate professor of turfgrass science and management for the University of Tennessee, received the Dr. William H. Daniel Award, which is given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the sports turf industry through his or her research, teaching or extension outreach. Dr. Sorochan’s research has had a profound effect on the work of sports turf managers and will continue to do so through a new sports turf research center ay UT. He has also developed a top undergraduate turf program.
Retired sports turf manager Mel Lanford (University of Texas) received the George Toma Golden Rake Award for his high standards of quality field management, but even more so for his mentorship of young people who have gone on to notable careers of their own. He is known as an educator to hundreds of sports turf managers and held the unofficial title “Doctor of Dirt.” The Toma award recognizes a member for a dedicated and enthusiastic attitude to achieve their highest goals. The award acknowledges a strong spirit of commitment to the industry.
Mercer wins Leadership Award for his environmental stewardship
Immediate Past President Chris Calcaterra, M.Ed., CSFM, CPRP presented the STMA President’s Award for Leadership to Kevin Mercer, superintendent of grounds at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, during the STMA annual awards banquet
The award is given at the discretion of the president, and this year was awarded to Mercer for his leadership in environmental stewardship, specifically for leading the effort for St. Mary’s College to be awarded certification in Environmental Planning from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. The program is designed to help preserve and enhance the environmental quality of properties. Mercer is part of the sustainability efforts at his college to reduce, recycle and reuse. He has also been making rain gardens on his campus to capture storm and other run-off water to be used as sports turf irrigation.
“Kevin exemplifies environmental leadership,” says Calcaterra on why he selected him to receive the award. “He proactively seeks ways he can make a positive impact on the environment at his college, and he is very open about sharing his ideas and practices with his peers.”
As STMA continues to advance its focus on the environment through committee work, it is also seeking to highlight examples of its member’s environmental stewardship and build on them to promote to the public the positive impact of sports turf management on the environment.