F.O.Y.
F i e l d o f t h e Ye a r
Jack Trice Stadium,
Iowa State University
Level of Submission: College
Category of Submission: Football
Head Sports Turf Manager: Tim
VanLoo
Title: Athletic Field Manager
Education: Master's Degree in Turfgrass
Experience: Spartan Stadium, 2004-2007
(graduate assistant); Northwestern University,
2007-2010 (athletic field manager); 2010-present
at Iowa State as athletic field manager
Other crew to recognize: Josh Lenz,
Kevin Hansen, Adam Gregerson, Ethan Dykstra, Joel Rieker, Zach Simons, Josh Meyn, and
Colton Metzger.
Original construction: 1996
Turfgrass variety: Many different varieties of Kentucky bluegrass
Overseed: We seed in the spring and
throughout the football season in the fall. The
field gets a total of 1000 lbs of Kentucky bluegrass seed throughout the year.
Drainage: Traditional herringbone
CHALLENGES
Our biggest asset is also our biggest struggle;
let me explain. I am the only full-time employee
dedicated toward the athletic fields and athletics
grounds. We fill the void in manpower with students. These are all turfgrass students working
through the University's Horticulture Department. We rely heavily on them "buying in" and
"taking ownership." I would be lying if I told
you that they all did, but most do. This is my
third season at ISU and every year we have had
different personnel. Different personnel each
year makes "getting in a routine" impossible, but
it does allow for many "teaching moments."
Throughout the summer I had five guys working for the athletic department on the fields and
common areas. In the fall we bump up to eight
students because they are limited to 20hrs/week
due to state law. The crew this year has been in-
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Blake Nelson,
Tim VanLoo, Kevin Hansen, Adam
Gregersen, Josh Lenz, and Colton Metzger.
38 SportsTurf | July 2013
www.sportsturfonline.com
