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/605094
www.stma.org December 2015 | SportsTurf 43 SPORTSTURF: You know a lot of sports turf managers. What are they saying are the biggest obstacles to overcome for them to be successful today? Wightman: The biggest obstacles, or challenges, of the sports field managers that I've talked to is the number of events being held on game fields. With the advent of new multi-billion dollar stadiums that promote the ultimate sporting experience for the fans, the owners are constantly looking for additional revenues to help pay for it. The sports turf manager has to figure out ways to minimize field damage from numerous other sporting and non-sporting events that take place. The successful field managers will require a comprehensive understanding of the science and the art of field management. This would include both, natural grass and synthetic surfaces. In that same vain, another obstacle, or challenge, facing the sports field manager today is the ability to communicate with all of the various stakeholders of the stadium or facility. All stakeholders have their own goals and objectives that will make them success- ful. Whether it is the team, the city, the county or whomever, understanding that communication and compromise is a big part of our job. And, our ability to communicate our concerns and challenges to the stakeholders is as important as proper field management. Success comes to those who can come to a com- promise that yields the least detrimental effect to the field. SPORTSTURF: What wisdom can you share with younger turf managers about being successful in the profession? Wightman: To answer that question, I looked back to when I first became a sports field manager, in 1973. Not knowing many people in the industry and not having much experience managing a sports field, the first thing I did was contact the head groundskeepers, as we were called back then, at the various stadi- ums that had both baseball and football asking for information they could share with me on field management. I was pleasantly surprised that everyone I spoke with was willing to share their experiences and help guide me toward academic information that could further enhance my knowledge of turfgrass manage- ment. So, for those new young turf managers seeking more infor- mation on sports field management, don't be afraid to pick up the phone or send an email to the sports turf managers at major facilities. I'm certain they can and will share their experiences and information with you. It will help you be more successful. Also, young sports turf managers need to get involved in the STMA. I was reading through a landscape magazine in 1976 and came across an article about sports turf managers getting together to form an association where it would be easier to share information. I called the number and became a part of that orga- nization. I can say that I would not have had such a wonderful career in sports turf management had I not made that call. Being a mem- ber of what would later become STMA has given me the tools, information and friendships that help shape my 39-year career in sports turf management. Of course, it also helps to get a degree in Sports Field Management where the technical and scientific knowledge of turfgrass management and soil science is paramount for your success, especially, in today's world. And finally, STMA offers a certification program for Sports Field Managers. Become certified. It will validate your pro- fessionalism in the industry and help make you even more successful. SPORTSTURF: How do you think the profession and industry will change in the next 10 years? Wightman: Within the next 10 years I think the profession of sports field management will grow into an even more scientific approach to the management of sports turf. At the professional sports level, having a formal education and experience will be a requirement for the sports field man- ager. Because of the complexities of field construction, all of which help promote a safer surface, the field manager will be required to manipulate field systems and management prac- tices that ensure the optimum playing conditions in all types of weather and multiple-event schedules. In addition, I see the industry continuing to expand and develop various types of multi-use fields, as well as, portable fields that can be moved in and out of stadiums (as in Arizona). Research on natural grass will continue to improve its ability to withstand greater usage. Rootzone construction, subsurface drainage, field heating and cooling systems, innovations in light- ing, fertilizers, pest management and equipment will all continue to improve. Synthetic surfaces will, also, continue to improve. They have come to be because they provide for greater weather and mul- tiple event field usage than many natural grass surfaces exposed to the same or similar usage. I think synthetic field research will continue to improve on the playability and environment issues and will continue to be a part of our industry. SPORTSTURF: How are you keeping busy now? Wightman: Well, I've been retired now for nearly 3 years and have not had one moment where I became bored (something I was worried about). Most of my time is now spent playing golf and babysitting my 3-year old grandson one day a week. He is teaching me many great things like, how to get what he wants from grandpa with just a smile or an all-out crying fit (both seem to work). He has also taught me the art of feeling bad about doing something wrong without saying a word. He just simply drops his head down. I'm also staying involved with STMA, which has given me so much over my career. I'm currently volunteering on a couple of committees and serving on the board of the SAFE Foundation. ■ ST Continued from page 31