SportsTurf

March 2014

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.

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46 SportsTurf | March 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com STMA in action of Missouri; and Harry C. Gill Memorial Award – Willis "Bucky" Trotter, Sports Fa- cilities Insights, LLC. Dr. Rick Rigsby, keynote speaker Dr. Rick Rigsby officially kicked off the conference in the opening General Session with a rousing, impactful speech about the virtue in pushing past the superficiality that can sometimes be prevalent in our "social media-focused" society. His talk was entitled "Making an Impact: Being the Best You Can Be" and he did make his own impact on all who were present and lucky enough to hear him speak. He celebrated the "behind-the- scenes" folks who make a difference, which sports turf managers do every day, and en- couraged listeners to always make a mark in their own unique ways. Dr. Rigsby graciously remained after the talk to speak to attendees, shake hands and answer questions about his own remarkable journey. Education Education began on Tuesday with 2.5 hour Academy sessions and finished on Fri- day. Attendees were introduced to brand new technology in "New Trends and Tech- nology in Sports Turf " and Amy Fouty, CSFM's "Using Soil Moisture & Tempera- ture Sensors as a Part of an Integrated Ap- proach to Managing Athletic Fields." Pest control sessions such as "Insect Control Up- date for Sports Fields – Current & Future Programs" presented by Dr. David Shetlar and "Managing Sports Fields without Con- ventional Pesticides" by Dr. Eric Lyons, gave the latest updates on Integrated Pest Man- agement programs and what to expect for the upcoming year. Many sessions were standing room-only, as attendees wanted tips and advice from some of the nation's top professionals. In addition to a first class line-up of educational topics on sports field management, professional development ses- sions were also on the program to provide attendees education on personal improve- ment as well as improving workplace rela- tionships and communication. Tim VanLoo, CSFM and Joel Rieker addressed relationships between different generations in "Bridging the Generation Gap in the Turf Industry." Jerry Balistreri instructed atten- dees on how to read non-verbal communi- cation in "Reading the Tells – Learning How to Read Body Language." Other topi- cal areas such as construction/renovation, synthetic fields, water, safety, agronomy, and facility management were covered as differ- ent tracks to meet the needs of sports turf managers across the country. STMA thanks the speakers that were able to share their knowledge and experiences to continue to help shape and grow the professionalism of the sports turf industry. Congratulations, Indiana Chapter! During the Chapter Officers Training ses- sion (COTS), the Indiana Chapter was for- mally (re)installed. The previous incarnation of the Indiana chapter folded in 2005 with less than 10 members. In 2013, it completed all of the processes to re-establish and now boasts a remarkable 127 members. Congratu- lations, Indiana Chapter! President's Award for Leadership STMA Past-President Dr. Mike Goatley presented the 2013 President's Award for Leadership at Friday's Awards Banquet. In his remarks before announcing his selection, he said "This year's President's Award for Leader- ship recipient was the first Certified Sports Field Builder, and he will also proudly tell you that he is a CSFM. He is asked by folks like me on a very regular basis to contribute both professionally and financially to educa- tional programs, field days, conferences etc. and he has always shared his experiences and his support over and over again. He regularly gives of his time and finances in support of numerous projects at all levels, but particu- larly goes above and beyond for lower bud- geted high school and parks and rec facilities in what he delivers. I constantly cite him as a resource when I am consulting with sports field managers when I tell them that this man certainly has a service or products that he would like to sell you, but he will not try to sell you anything. He has filled in the gaps for me far too many times to mention as a tremendous resource with vast experience in construction, renovation, and maintenance. "Although I did not know it until I met him in 2008, this man also turns out to be a Hokie alum, even touting a football career at VT (although I don't see his name on any of the flags flying above Lane Stadium). It is my honor and privilege to recognize Chad Price, CSFM, CFB, of Carolina Green Inc. as this year's recipient of the STMA Pres- ident's Award for Leadership." Student Challenge Congratulations to all STMA Student Challenge participants for their exceptional performance on the 2014 exam, conducted at conference! The Student Challenge is pre- sented by SAFE and founding partner Hunter Industries. Ten 2-year teams and 21 4-year teams competed for $4,000 awards in each di- vision. 2-year Competition: First place, Mt. San Antonio College, Team 202; second place, Kirkwood Community College, Team 201; third place tie, Kirkwood Community Col- lege, Team 204 and Mt. San Antonio College, Team 209. 4-year Competition: First place, Univer- sity of Maryland, Team 410; second place, Virginia Tech University, Team 412; third place (tie), Purdue University, Team 419 and Colorado State University, Team 402. The funds provided by SAFE are meant to benefit the turfgrass science programs at the winner's schools. Use of the awards can in- clude creating an Athletic Sports Field learn- ing lab, purchasing athletic sports field specific equipment and products, or other items or projects approved by the STMA Student Challenge Committee. Funds are required to be spent before the next year's STMA annual conference. Grant & scholarship winners All grants and scholarships were presented at the Awards Banquet, which took place this year in the Lone Star Ballroom of the San An- tonio Grand Hyatt. Conference attendees enjoying renewed acquaintances, L to R: Tom Burns, Diamond Pro; Dale Getz, CSFM, Toro, and Amy Fouty, CSFM, athletic turf manager at Michigan State.

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