The Toro Company is pleased to recognize Michael Sargent as the recipient of its annual Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program. In partnership with the National Football League®(NFL), Sargent will be on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during Super Bowl XLVI to assist the grounds crew for the biggest football game of the year.
Starting with the inaugural NFL World Championship in 1967, the grounds crew has relied on Toro for its expertise in preparing the game field and multiple practice facilities. Toro equipment and representatives have been involved in preparing the stadium and practice fields for the Super Bowl for over 40 years, and in 2003, the organizations partnered to establish the Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program.
The Toro Sports Turf Training Program is aimed at enhancing the skills of emerging sports turf professionals, providing hands-on experience in establishing and maintaining safe playing fields. As this year’s recipient, Sargent will work alongside NFL field director Ed Mangan, renowned groundskeeper George Toma, and the Super Bowl grounds crew on turf maintenance, logo painting, field preparation for media day, and halftime preparation.
Sargent, a student at the University of Connecticut, is working toward a bachelor’s degree in Turf and Soil Sciences, along with a secondary degree in Horticulture, and a minor in Landscape Design. “A turf manager’s role in preparing fields is met with an ever-changing array of challenges,” says Sargent. “Along with the ability to adapt to new challenges and technologies, this great opportunity will add to my knowledge and experience, making me a better advocate for modern turf management techniques.”
“The Toro Company has a long history of supporting scholarships and other educational programs, and this is an opportunity that we always get excited about,” says Dale Getz, CSFM, sports fields and grounds sales manager at Toro. “This partnership with the NFL offers a unique opportunity for Michael, and reflects The Toro Company’s commitment to students in turf programs.”
In partnership with the National Football League, Sargent will be on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during Super Bowl XLVI to assist the grounds crew for the biggest football game of the year.