STMA’s highest honors, the four Founders Awards, recognize those members who have made significant contributions to STMA and to the profession. The honorees were announced at the STMA Conference’s Annual Banquet in San Antonio last month.
Dick Ericson Award: Rich Watson (Pine Hills School District, NJ)
The Ericson Award is issued annually to someone who plans and executes the sports turf management of their facility and who effectively leads their team to accomplish their goals in field.
George Toma Golden Rake: Matt Tobin (Pioneer Athletics)
The Toma Award acknowledges the superior performance of a sports turf member in “on the job” activities and in community service.
Dr. William Daniel Award: Dr. Brad Fresenberg (University of Missouri)
The Daniel Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the sports turf industry through his or her research, teaching or extension outreach.
Harry C. Gill Memorial Award: Willis “Bucky” Trotter (Sports Facilities Insights, LLC)
The Gill Memorial Award was established to honor an individual for their hard work in the sports turf industry and to acknowledge their dedication to STMA. The award itself is a rather unique piece of art, depicting a groundskeeper armed with the tools of his trade: a rake of hope; a hose of determination; a shovel of passion; a hoe of dedication; and a smile of spirited uncertainty as he rides off into the unknown atop a horse named desire.
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