The Sports Turf Managers Association, the professional association for 2,600 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide, announced its 2013 "Field of the Year Award" winners. Since 1992, STMA's Field of the Year Award is given to members who manage baseball, football, softball, soccer and other sporting grounds at the professional, collegiate or schools (K-12) and parks level.

Sports Turf Managers Association announces 2013 Field of the Year Award winners

The Sports Turf Managers Association, the professional association for 2,600 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide, announced its 2013 “Field of the Year Award” winners.


Since 1992, STMA’s Field of the Year Award is given to members who manage baseball, football, softball, soccer and other sporting grounds at the professional, collegiate or schools (K-12) and parks level. The 2013 winners are listed below:


Professional


·         Baseball – Isotopes Park (Albuquerque, N.M.): Casey Griffin, Director of Field Operations


 


·         Soccer – Columbus Crew Stadium (Columbus, Ohio): Weston Appelfeller, Director of Grounds


College and University


·         Baseball – Kobs Field, McLane Baseball Stadium at Michigan State University (East Lansing, Mich.): Jared Knoodle, Groundskeeper; Amy Fouty, CSFM, Athletic Turf Manager


 


·         Football – Leslie Frazier Field at Trinity International University (Deerfield, Ill.): Andy Yeaman, Grounds Supervisor


 


·         Softball – Florida Atlantic University Softball Stadium (Boca Raton, Fla.): Ken Czerniak, Sports Turf Manager


 


·         Soccer – Championship Field at Seattle University (Seattle, Wash.): Kevin White, Athletic Fields Supervisor


Schools and Parks


·         BaseballThe Steward School Baseball Field (Richmond, Va.): Mark Roberts, Athletic Turf & Field Manager


 


·         FootballMiddle Division Football Field at Milton Hershey School (Hershey, Pa.): Joe Barrand; Jason Bowers, CSFM, Sports Turf Managers


 


·         Softball – Lady Panthers Softball Field at Park Hill South (Kansas City, Mo.): Eric Jones, Head Groundskeeper


 


·         SoccerThe Jungle at Louisa County High School (Mineral, Va.): Michael Hopkins, Turfgrass Science Instructor / Sports Turf Manager


 


·         Sporting Grounds – Infinity Park (Glendale, Colo.): Noel Harryman, Manager of Turf Operations


“The Field of the Year Award is a dedication to our members who have an intense passion to provide the finest playing surfaces for athletes of all ages and abilities,” says Kim Heck, CEO of STMA. “Each day, they face new challenges and the novel solutions and state-of-the-art technologies they employ are truly amazing to consistently provide pristine and safe sports fields.”


A panel of 16 judges independently scored entries based on playability, appearance of surfaces, utilization of innovative solutions, effective use of budget and implementation of a comprehensive agronomic program. Judges may not award a field in each category. Winning fields will be featured in a 2014 issue of Sports Turf Magazine.


Awards will be presented at the 25th STMA Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio, Tex. Jan. 21-24, 2014. The 2013 event was one of the most well-attended in the association’s history with a record 168 exhibitors and 1,600 attendees.


About STMA


STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide.  Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management.  Its more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums.


For more information: www.stma.org, 800.323.3875.