T.J. Brewer, CSFM, Head Groundskeeper, Burlington Bees 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? Brewer: I prepared for the exam by going over the competencies posted on- line. I reviewed all of the information on the lists. With my education and experi- ence I felt pretty comfortable with most of the information. There was stuff I wasn't sure about, and stuff I just didn't know or remember (sorry, professors!). I spent a majority of my study time on these topics reviewing different books, online re- sources, and old class notes. he couple of months leading up to the test, which I took at the national conference, are pretty laid back here in Burlington... not much to do outside when it is 0° with snow on the ground so I had time to review all of the information. When I showed up for the test I was a little nervous, but confi- dent in my studies!
How did you approach your employer to support your certification, both fi- nancially and in the time needed to pre- pare for the exam? Brewer: My employer was supportive in
my certification. It was no problem for me to spend work time studying (remember... 0° and snow). If he didn't agree with the time spent for certification at least I was using the time to sharpen my mind and further my knowledge. Fi- nancially my employer paid for my trip to Orlando and my full conference regis- tration, I paid for the certification myself. A fair trade I believe.
Why did you decide to pursue certification? Brewer: I decided to pursue certifica- tion to show my dedication to profession- alism and continuing education. I wanted to show that I am serious about my ca- reer. I wanted to challenge myself by tak- ing the test and proving to myself that I could pass it. I also wanted to do some- thing that will hopefully bring me more opportunities in the future.
How has certification helped your career? Brewer: At this point I don't know if my career has been boosted by my certifica-
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.oregonsportsturf managers.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 Associa- tion (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 42 SportsTurf | October 2011 www.sportsturfonline.com
tion. I don't make a lot more money, haven't gotten "the" job, people don't salute me when I walk into a room, and nobody is asking me harder ques- tions. I know that the value of my certifi- cation is there, I wouldn't have gotten it if I didn't think so. It will take time for more employers to recognize the benefits of having a certified manager, but don't worry there are a lot of employers that are already seeing the light. ■
