Mike Andresen, CSFM, Facilities & Grounds Director, Iowa State University
Benefits of certification verified
Editor’s note: This is another installments on how becoming a Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM) can benefit turf managers professionally as well as improve their facilities
How did you prepare for the CSFM Exam? Andresen:My main preparation was to thoroughly review various books on Sports Turf Management, most notably “Sports Fields” by Puhalla, Krans, Goatley. I also reviewed notes of presentations and workshops (administrative content) that I’d attended in the past. The best preparation was having been in the profession for a period of years!
How did you approach your employer to support your certification, both financially and in the time needed to prepare for the exam? Andresen: I work for a university athletics department and we live in a culture that recognizes certifications in many different disciplines. It was an easy sell to get administration to understand the need for this level of professionalism in our department. I studied outside of work but they supported paying for the testing. The tide has turned a bit as I am now responsible for renewal fees. I, philosophically, think this is fair as the certification remains with me and is my responsibility.
Why did you decide to pursue certification? Andresen: I felt responsible to achieve the highest level possible in our profession. I managed a student-based crew at the time and felt it important to continue my growth and education in every way possible (role model).
How has certification helped your career? Andresen: In many different ways! The need for ISP’s has helped push me to be active within our STMA chapter and nationally. It has pushed me to participate within the chapter by writing articles, serving on committees and boards, helping with community service projects and to host events at our facility—all in the name of securing Industry Service Points. Needing Continuing Education Units to remain certified has become a great reason (excuse?) to attend workshops, conferences and seminars. I personally received a pay increase when I became certified but that might be rare. ■
STMA Affiliated Chapters Contact Information
Sports Turf Managers Association of Arizona: Chris Walsh cwalsh@scottsdaleaz.gov
Colorado Sports Turf Managers Association: www.cstma.org.
Florida #1 Chapter (South): 305-235-5101 (Bruce Bates) or Tom Curran CTomSell@aol.com
Florida #2 Chapter (North): 850/580-4026, John Mascaro, john@turf-tec.com
Florida #3 Chapter (Central): 407-518-2347, Scott Grace, scott@sundome.org
Gateway Chapter Sports Turf Managers Association: www.gatewaystma.org.
Georgia Sports Turf Managers Association: www.gstma.org.
Greater L.A. Basin Chapter of the Sports Turf Managers Association: www.stmalabasin.com.
Illinois Chapter STMA: www.ILSTMA.org.
Intermountain Chapter of the Sports Turf Managers Association: www.imstma.org.
Iowa Sports Turf Managers Association: www.iowaturfgrass.org.
Kentucky Sports Turf Managers Association: www.kystma.org.
Keystone Athletic Field Managers Org. (KAFMO/STMA): www.kafmo.org.
Michigan Sports Turf Managers Association (MiSTMA): www.mistma.org.
Mid Atlantic Sports Turf Managers Association (MASTMA) (formerly the Chesapeake Chapter STMA) Ph. 410-704-2197 www.mastma.org
Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association: www.mpstma.org
MO-KAN Sports Turf Managers Association: www.mokanstma.com.
Nebraska Sports Turf Managers Association: 402/441-4425.
New England STMA (NESTMA): www.nestma.org.
Sports Field Managers Association of New Jersey: www.sfmanj.org.
Sports Turf Managers of New York: www.stmony.org.
North Carolina Chapter of STMA: www.ncsportsturf.org. Northern California STMA: www.norcalstma.org.
Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association (OSTMA): www.ostma.org.
Oregon STMA Chapter: www.oregonsportsturfmanagers.org oregonstma@gmail.com
Ozarks STMA: www.ozarksstma.org.
Pacific Northwest Sports Turf Managers Association: www.pnwstma.org. Southern California Chapter: www.socalstma.com. South Carolina Chapter of STMA: www.scstma.org.
Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association (TVSTMA): www.tvstma.com.
Texas Sports Turf Managers Association: www.txstma.org
Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association: www.vstma.org.
Wisconsin Sports Turf Managers Association: www.wstma.org.
Chapter Sponsors www.stma.org SportsTurf 45
