Profile Products, manufacturer of Turface Athletics products for sports fields, has once again served as primary sponsor of several top athletic field management awards given out in recent weeks. The awards, recognizing excellence in field management at the high school and college levels, were made by four different athletic associations to the coaches, field managers, and organizations who go above and beyond to create beautiful and safe playing conditions for their student athletes.
The awards recognize efforts from 2016. Specific winners, along with the associations, award names, descriptions, and Turface sponsorships include:
- National High School Baseball Coaches Association / Turface Field of the Year: Recognizing excellence in athletic field management. WINNER: Coach Wes Brooks, Choccolocco Park, Oxford High School, Oxford AL (One ton of Turface MVP plus $400).
- Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association / Field of the Year: Recognizing an individual and organization for their persistence in maintaining safe and aesthetically pleasing playing surfaces. WINNER: Ed Quickert, Hamilton Local Schools (Soccer pitch), Hamilton OH (Plaque and banner).
- American Baseball Coaches Association / Turface Athletics Field Maintenance Awards: Recognizing the efforts of high school and college coaches who maintain exceptional playing fields. MAINTENANCE WINNERS: Jim Richardson, Tiffin College; Chad Menard, DeRidder High School (Each receives one ton of Turface MVP plus $400). SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS: Tim Leighton, Henry Ford College; Luke Weatherford, Van Buren High School (Each receives three tons of Turface MVP plus $250/year for two years).
- SAFE (Safer Athletic Fields for Everyone) Foundation / Turface Athletics Terry Mellor Continuing Education Grant: Recognizing a worthy individual seeking continuing professional education in safe athletic field management. WINNER: Nicholas Lievense, Purdue University ($1,000 scholarship).
“So much of the recognition that coaches receive during their career is for their program’s success on the field and in the classroom. The Turface Field Maintenance Awards allow us to highlight coaches and programs that display a dedication to excellent field maintenance,” stated Craig Keilitz, Executive Director, American Baseball Coaches Association. “These are the coaches that are putting in the countless hours before and after practice to ensure their field is in top-notch shape for their players. The Turface Field Maintenance Scholarships are an incredible way to help those coaches and programs that may not have the means for day-to-day field maintenance, but still have the desire to have the best playing field possible.”
“Turface Athletics has been a big part of our organization, and of high school baseball across the country,” noted Ron Davini, Executive Director, National High School Baseball Coaches Association. “Turface not only sponsors our selection of Regional (8) and National Fields of the Year, but also assists at our national convention, answering questions and explaining how to improve and make baseball fields play safer each year. The company cares about high school baseball and wants our fields to be safe.”
“When time and effort are put into field maintenance programs to improve the look, safety, and playability of a field the result can elevate the spirit of a sport for players and fans alike,” noted Jeff Langner, Business Manager / Sports, Golf, and Landscape for Profile Products. “Turface Athletics shares the intense commitment these winners have to create fields of surpassing beauty and performance. We join our association partners in celebrating the efforts of these highly-dedicated individuals and organizations.”