F.O.Y. Field of the Year THE JUNGLE,
LOUISA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MINERAL, VA
Level of Submission: Schools/Parks Category of Submission: Football Head Sports Turf Manager:Michael Hopkins Title: Turfgrass Science Instructor/Sports Turf Manager Education: Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Ed- ucation Work History: Through my excavation com- pany, I have worked with a local turf grass consulting firm for the past six years building sports fields. In 2009, I started teaching Turf Grass Science at Louisa County High School and, as a result, took over man- agement of the athletic fields. Full-time staff: Bill Pelott, Joe Bradford and Jimmy Null. And the Advanced Turf Science class known as "The Jungle Turf Crew." Original construction: 1995 Turfgrass variety: Patriot bermudagrass Rootzone compostion: Native soil (clay) Overseeding:We are overseeding this year with 1500 lbs. per acre of rye grass, 1/3 in early Sept., 1/3 in early Oct. and 1/3 in late Oct. I was able to spread the first application after 6" of rain and before a var- sity game with the idea of the seed being incorpo- rated by the players. With the other two applications, I will use a slicer to work the seed into the soil. I have found with Patriot that the mat is so tight and thick it is hard to get good germination without some type of mechanical incorporation. Drainage: Crowned with a 1.5 % slope and side drains.
The Jungle Turf Crew created a motto that was announced at the game that night: Neither earthquakes, hurricanes, vandalism, nor tropical storms can keep the Jungle Turf Crew from preparing the field for the mighty Lions.
36 SportsTurf | September 2012 www.sportsturfonline.com
