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/460594
www.stma.org March 2015 | SportsTurf 25 example the development of deep tine machines to help improve rootzones. For those who could afford sod repairs, the wide roll sod harvesters and installers immensely changed sodding. Following closely was the breeding of more wear tolerant grass plants; improved means of fertilization, and the improve- ments to irrigations programmers, valves and heads. Many of these improvements I believe came about because of the growth in the sports turf management industry and better educated turf managers. STMA developed our Certification Program, which Dr. Henry Indyk pushed for as we grew. Certification is the chance to show your commitment and pride in yourself and your trade and I am so proud to see the numbers grow. And the growth of our chapters has been incred- ible. This growth has led to some many outstanding men and women coming out of the chapters to take positions as volun- teers to the organization and also as board members. The continuing growth of our SAFE Foundation and its scholarships to the future leaders of our industry make me proud. ST: How do you think the profession and industry will change in the next 10 years? Schiller: Technology is going to help us improve our communications in the field, with peers, employees, supervisors, and, importantly, our vendors. I also fore- see a great change in irrigation; several parts of our country are already seeing these changes. I do believe in the very near future we all will see limitations on our use of potable water. However I believe our industry will see improvements in wetting agents and rooting agents that will help make our irrigation water more productive, as well as help make our rainfalls less likely to run off. I also believe new and more cost-efficient means of retaining and reusing rainfall and irrigation water will come about. My hope is someone who will develop a cool-season grass that will have the aggres- siveness and wear ability of bermudagrass in a bluegrass plant, or the spread ability of bentgrass in bluegrasses and ryegrasses. The future also lies in the students; we need to be welcoming and kind to all who ask a question, or welcoming to a student looking for an internship. I was mentored by some pretty terrific people, and I always tried to share all I had learned with those want to learn; we need to make sure we continue to do that for our future leaders. ST: How do you think the STMA should approach the increasing number of syn- thetic turf fields being built? Schiller: I fought synthetics in the beginning but as I matured I learned there is a use and need for them. Research must continue to insure that they do not create illness or injury; we must continue to work with manufacturers to develop new means of managing and maintain- ing these carpets to keep them as safe. I think our organization needs to let the world know that whether you have a natu- ral or synthetic surface they are going to require hard work, dedication and proper maintenance to keep them safe and play- able. And those who care for them will need equipment, staff and financial support to help keep those surfaces safe and playable. I think our organization can and should be the catalyst to get both sides of the industry working together to supply the safest playing surface available to all levels of participants. ST: How are you keeping busy now? Schiller: I have been doing things I enjoy. I help out friends, and for a couple seasons I helped mow the playing surfaces at Northwestern University. I have been using my military and recreation training to help my nephew run the pro shop at the golf course he manages. I also try and play golf as much as my old back will allow. But my best job is being a husband, father and grandfather. Char has been my best friend and wife for going on 44 years, our children are now all grown and thank God all have wonderful partners in their lives and I cannot be prouder of them.