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/37461
Above Left: Only the two squares of sod were removed for rugby; here is first set of posts in south end. Above right: Halfway done with rugby stencil. Due to the high temperatures, we had to work through the night into early morning to prevent stencil burn. ST: How do you balance your work and personal time? Tanner: I am very lucky to have two understanding assistants. We all communicate well together and are able to distribute off days between the three of us when we get breaks throughout the season. So far it’s worked out well and we have been able to take days off when needed. It doesn’t do anyone any good to come into work for multiple weeks straight, I put a high priority on getting them “away” when we can. Our season starts in March and runs through mid-November so we need to have a little time on our own. At the same time, I know that I can count on them to be here if need be. My fiancé is also a major factor in what I am able to ac- complish here at work. She is extremely understanding and helpful when it comes to the long hours during the season. I know that it’s extremely difficult to manage a relationship with the hours the in- dustry requires, but I’ve found that constant communication helps relieve unexpected schedule conflicts. All it takes is a quick call. ST: What’s your most valued piece of equipment and why? Tanner: It is not equipment; I would have to say it is my staff. For the most part, there are always back ups for equipment if it breaks down or is unavailable. It’s the guys that are out there doing the work that are the greatest value to what we do here. Between the stadium pitch, the two training fields 20 minutes outside of town, and the vast landscape we are responsible for, I put a lot of trust in the grounds staff to keep me up to date with what’s going on at the multiple sites. Everyone invests a large amount of time to insure we are able to provide the best results we can in every aspect we manage or are involved with. ST: Are you yet involved in “sustainable” management prac- tices? If so, what are you doing? Tanner: At the stadium, we have made a conscience effort to reduced use of herbicides and insecticides in the grounds. As far as the management of the pitch itself, we do not use herbicides or in- secticides, and carefully monitor our fungicide program. It’s a pre- ventative program but on an as needed basis, no pressure, no www.stma.org SportsTurf 43 applications. Daily monitoring and adjustment of our irrigation programs is implemented at both the stadium and practice facility, we try not to do the set it and forget it programs. All of our equip- ment service is done in house and the used motor oil is recycled, there is also a stadium wide recycling program. ■