SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/126035
F.O.Y. | Infinity Stadium ST: How did you get started in turf management? Harryman: Before getting into strictly turf management I did landscaping install, design, and sales. A door opened up at Graff 's Turf Farm for sports field renovation and I took the opportunity to focus solely on sports fields. After working there for a few years I realized that I wanted to be on a sports field every day. ST: How did you get started in turf management? What was your first sports turf job? Harryman: Graff 's Turf Farm was really my first sports turf job. I worked there as a project manager and did sports field renovation. After this I joined the City of Glendale and became the assistant turf manager for Infinity Park. ST: What are the major challenges in managing turf for so many different uses? What have you learned in the past 5 years to help you meet those challenges? Harryman: The biggest challenge to managing a field that gets used in many different ways is that every event is different and comes with its own set of problems. It is important to try and figure out what areas need more attention and what protection to have in place. The biggest thing for any of the different uses that come in is to make sure to be proactive instead of trying to fix something that could have been prevented. ST: What have you learned in the past 5 years to help you meet those challenges? Harryman: I have learned that despite my aversion to meetings it is important to have a seat at the table and the planning stages of these events. It is way better to know what is coming down the pipe than to learn about on the day of an event. ST: What changes if any are you considering or implementing for the winning field in 2013? Harryman: One change that is going to take place this year is a reduced practice on the pitch this year at least in the spring. More practices will be held on the synthetic field giving us more time on the main field to get everything up and growing. ST: How do you see the sports turf manager's job changing in the future? Harryman: As everyone else's job changes are always taking place. I think that the sports turf manager's position will always continually be asked to do more with less. n The STMA Field of the Year Awards began in 1988 and are given annually in baseball, football, softball, soccer and sporting grounds in three levels: professional, collegiate and schools/parks. A panel of 11 judges independently scores the applications and the winners are announced at the STMA Annual Conference and Exhibition. Winners receive signature clothing, complimentary conference registration, three night's accommodations and a trophy for display. The Field of the Year Program is made possible through the generous donations of Carolina Green Corporation, Ewing Irrigation Products, Hunter Industries, and World Class Athletic Surfaces, Inc. www.stma.org SportsTurf 37