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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/282941
April 2014 | SportsTurf 21 www.stma.org turf managers via e-mail, phone and social media to try new tech- niques in hopes of improving the fields he was managing. The re- sponse was overwhelming and members from far and wide shared best practices with Craig. His skills in sports turf management, especially baseball, improved and were slowly being noticed by others in the industry. Long-time STMA member Tom Nielsen took a particular liking to Craig's kind personality and tireless work ethic. In May 2010, he hired Craig to work for the Louisville Bats' turf crew, the Triple-A minor league affili- ate of the Cincinnati Reds. Craig and his wife packed their bags and headed south to follow his dream of one day helping to manage a professional baseball field. Once Craig got settled into his new position, Tom took a deeper inter- est in his lifestyle, helping him quit smoking and lose more than 70 pounds. By August 2010, Craig had transferred to the University of Louisville to continue his sports management degree while working full-time for the Bats. Craig and Caroline wed on July 24, 2012. This past December, Craig graduated from the University of Louisville and was hired as the Bats' assistant groundskeeper February 1, 2014. Throughout his journey, Craig has numerous people to thank for their support and confidence that he would, one day, succeed. He's been so impressed with the STMA and how the organization has al- ways emphasized the importance of acting like a professional and doing the job right. After receiving the new job offer from the Bats, Craig's family urged him to take time for himself and relax. While a few days to catch his breath was nice, it also have him an opportunity to reflect on the sports turf managers he had connected with along the way, and how they had been so instrumental in his career ascension. The more he thought about it, the more people he realized he needed to acknowledge personally. In mid-January, Craig attended his first STMA Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio. It was the per- fect opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, while also thanking those whom he had never met but had spoken with online over the years. On April 10, the Louisville Bats open the 2014 campaign versus the Columbus Clippers. Craig and the turf crew are putting in long hours before the first pitch at Louisville Slugger Field to make sure fans and players are greeted with a top-notch field. Every blade of grass and speck of dirt will be treated with care. It's something Craig has taken pride in his entire life and April 10 is no different. n Glenn Gray is with Buffalo Communications, the public relations agency for the Sports Turf Managers Association, @glenncgray on Twitter.