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/96775
F.O.Y. | Patricia Wilson Field SportsTurf: What channels of communication do you use to reach coaches, administrators and user of your facility? Any tips on communicating well? Barnard: I have to unique advantage of the Head Coach, Frank Griffin, being my direct supervisor. This allows us to talk daily regarding the scheduling of the facility operations and planning around the team's practice and game schedules. E-mails are used when mass information needs to be distributed to administrators, players and visiting groups. A member of our coaching staff and school site administrator meets with the visiting team representative to communicate the game day agenda and any policies and special needs request they may require. A tip on communicating well is do not let small problems become big problems, address them early. SportsTurf: What are your specific job responsibilities? Barnard: Being the sole field maintenance technician for Patricia Wilson Field, I wear a multitude of hats. I am very lucky to have players and coaches that have pre and post-game duties to aid in the upkeep of the facility. Our players can put out and remove a full infield tarp with the proficiency that would make any major league grounds crew proud. They also help with the application of Turface on the infield when there is a weather issue. Turf Maintenance: mowing, fertilization, pesticide application, aerification, top dressing, overseeding, water management, verticutting, ordering all products to be applied. Irrigation: Repair and installation Clay & Warning track: grooming infield and warning track areas, practice and game day set up, edging, rebuild and maintaining mound and plate with bag clay, refurbishing bullpens, raking, blowing or hosing lip areas, raking common warning track areas and keeping weed free, adding material as needed, aeravating infield. General needs of facility: blowing and cleaning areas of batting areas, grand stands and sidewalks, repairs and replacements of netting, windscreen and fences, help maintain garden areas along with ornamental beds, lubricating equipment, change oil and filters while doing any and all repairs that can be done in house, adjust reel mowers. Participate in any and all projects or events during the year. SportsTurf: What do find most enjoyable about your job? Barnard: I find all aspects of turf management to be the most enjoyable part of the job. SportsTurf: What task is your least favorite and why? Barnard: The least favorite area I consider is to be the general facility maintenance tasks. Not that they are any less important in the day to day responsibilities but they do not generate my enthusiasm like growing good turf does. SportsTurf: How did you get started in turf management? What was your first sports turf job? Barnard: My first job was a Part Time position at the age of 17 years old with the City of DeLand, Parks and Recreation Department back in 1981 participating in a variety of field maintenance duties. After attending Junior College for 2 years and still undecided about a career direction, I met with Tom Sperling who was the Director of Parks and Recreation regarding a job opportunity in park maintenance. Four years later he entrusted me with the responsibility of supervising the Sperling Sports complex which was a 35 acre facility and over time became 22 acres of Bermuda. During that time I was fortunate to have Larry Nordman who was our Parks Manager to have as a mentor along the way. Before Patricia Wilson Field, Stetson Fastpitch Softball used Sperling Sports Complex to practice and play their home games. I met Coach Frank Griffin at this time which ultimately led to my current position. SportsTurf: What changes if any are you implementing for the winning field in 2012? Barnard: Turf care wise, due to soil analysis we increased our potassium rates and added in an advanced minor pack twice a year to aid in the deficiencies that arise in Florida soils. In the later part of 2011, we were able to implement a monthly wetting agent appli- 34 SportsTurf | December 2012 www.sportsturfonline.com