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/54529
KEYNOTES Dr. Frank Rossi passionately stated his case that turf managers, whom he called "problem- solvers who care about the environment," should embrace all three aspects of "sustainable resource management": social, economic, and environmental. "We can meet the needs of today without compromising the needs of to- morrow," he said. "You can use the attraction of sports, the popularity of sports and impact players and fans. Your audience is there," he added. It was startling to hear Dr. Rossi say, "In 2008, for the first time in 25 years, people sur- veyed said they were willing to sacrifice envi- ronmental quality for economic reasons." He was frank when he said, "Making decisions strictly for aesthetics must stop" referring to un- necessary use of resources. Dr. Rossi urged the audience to know and understand the facts behind the cultural (social) benefits of turfgrass and its place in the ecosys- tem, as well as the true costs behind carbon emissions. He pointed to the increased popula- tions in metro areas and how sports turf is in- creasingly being adapted to suit urbanized environments. Former NFL player Eric Boles delivered an honest, high-energy message that focused on developing and cultivating leadership potential in yourself and those around you. "You only get better when you take chances," he said. He said you have to be able to ask those around you, "On a scale of 1-10, how am I doin'?" And no matter the answer, reply, "What would make it a 10?" Boles recounted a story from high school when he and his jock buddies couldn't under- stand why this average classmate kept dating the pretty girls. He said he was working on his game, like his friends, wondering why the girls weren't noticing him. So he asked his classmate, "What are you doing to get dates with all these girls?" And the guy says, "I asked them." His point is maybe you have a great idea at work but you won't share it with anyone be- cause, well because of any number of reasons, fear of rejection or failure being chief among them. What's the worst that can happen if you push the envelope a bit? Someone can say "no," Boles said, "and that's it." YOU weren't re- jected, just your idea. Leaders keep trying to improve, he said. NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS The new Board of Directors of STMA was installed in Long Beach. President Mike Goat- ley Jr., an extension agent and educator from Virginia Tech, gave a great acceptance speech, giving special praise to his family, Dr. A.J. Pow- www.stma.org ell of his home state Kentucky, and Jeff Krans in his Mississippi State heyday. Mike's board for 2012: Immediate Past President: Troy Smith, CSFM President-Elect: Martin K. Kaufman, CSFM Secretary/Treasurer: David Pinsonneault, CSFM, CPRP Vice-President Commercial: Rene Asprion Professional Facilities: Allen Johnson, CSFM Academic: Jeffrey Fowler Parks & Recreation: Debra Kneeshaw Higher Education: Jeffrey Salmond, CSFM K-12: Michael Tarantino, CSFM Commercial: James Graff At Large: Jay Warnick, CSFM At Large: Ron Hostick, CSFM SAFE FOUNDATION The Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields for Everyone (SAFE) used its 12th Annual Golf Tournament, played at Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms' Eisenhower Course, a Casino Night at the Welcome Reception and the live auctions, raffles and other fundraising endeavors to make more than $27,000 for the foundation. Mike McDonald, CSFM, from the Univer- sity of Minnesota made a hole-in-one at Indus- try Hills, canning his tee shot on the par 3, 130-yard 9th hole and winning a vacation for two while he was at it. Rick Peruzzi, CSFM, Mike DiDonato, CSFM, Kevin Meredith, CSFM, and Matt Tobin won the net-scramble format tournament. The first-ever SAFE Casino Night at the Welcome Reception was a hit with attendees. More than 100 participants played blackjack, roulette and craps, vying for $250 gift cards to Bass Pro Shops, Omaha Steaks and Best Buy. In typical STMA member fashion, attendees stepped up and ensured that the SAFE Auc- tions and Raffles brought in a record amount. Winners walked away with some great items including autographed memorabilia, apparel, a Toro Turf Guard System valued at $7,800, electronics, hotel packages, golf gear, and sports turf specific equipment. The Toro Giv- ing Program presented the SAFE Foundation with a donation of $9,500 in honor of Dr. James Watson to support the SAFE Scholar- ship program. SAFE Chairman Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, CSE of Toro launched a new grassroots campaign to engage the STMA membership, at the individual and corporate levels, over a 5- year period. Cultivating the development po- tential of the membership is the first step Continued on page 42 >> POSING FOR THE PAPARAZZI at the Wel- come Reception and Casino Night in Long Beach. Mary Owen, front, with (l to r) Dr. Gil Landry, Dale Getz, CSFM, Mike Trigg, CSFM, and Rich Moffitt behind her. >> CHRIS CALCATERRA, CSFM, CPRP , left, pres- ents the 2011 STMA President's Award for Leadership to Vance Rzepka, representing the MO-KAN Chapter of STMA. Calcaterra was filling in for Troy Smith, CSFM, who was working the NFL playoffs. >> L to R: Los Angeles of Anaheim President Dennis Kuhl, Los Angeles of Anaheim Head Groundskeeper Barney Lopas, Orange High School senior shortstop Emmanuel Flores, and Orange High head baseball coach Alex Vicario. Photo credit: Deb Robinson. Lopas said, "I am pleased with the overall renovation of the Or- ange High School baseball field. Since May 2011, my (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) grounds crew worked really hard on this project to bring to fruition. We were grateful to have the support of our main sponsors, including the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, The Toro Company, Covermaster and Turface Athletics. Each year, all of the MLB Groundskeepers look forward to this community service project to assist a local group in need of support." SportsTurf 15