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/64785
given a pinch runner and a pinch hitter, let's face it, he still would have made a better umpire! "Despite his lack of play, this field is a very fitting trib- ute because dad was crazy about sports, almost any sport really. Ninety-nine percent of the time when I would walk into his home office, he had some match, game, or tournament on the TV or radio though most of the time he wasn't even watching the competition, be- cause he was so engrossed in something academic or in- dustry related, but it was on nonetheless because it was a crucial piece of his world. It was the background that made everything else right—sports were simply part of who he was—they were a companion, hobby, passion and medium for his artistry. "This field is also fitting because sports and their re- Ceremony comments from Dr. Kurtz' daughter "GREETINGS, EVERYONE. For those of you who don't know me, I am Heather, Kent's daughter and I am joined today by my husband Steven, our daughter Amelie, my brother Todd and his son Skyler, and dad's brother Kerry, our uncle Kerry. I know I speak for my entire family when I say how touched we are that this is happening; we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Dad with all of you today and want to thank MT SAC for allowing this field to be built. "A huge thanks also, to Brian Scott and his students for your vi- sion, hard work and loving tribute to my father and to the countless contributors who helped make this field, and this celebration possi- ble. Together you have bestowed a great honor on a deserving man; if he were here today he would be jovial, yet humble, emotional, yet definitely sassy, but mostly, he would be deeply happy and so proud. "I have to admit that when I first heard that it was a wiffle ball field, I giggled. If you knew anything about my dad, you likely knew that he was more of a spectator when it came to sports, than an active partici- pant. In his younger years he ran track, but with age, his back prob- lems and that incredibly round belly, he wasn't exactly sporty even if www.stma.org quired turf were a link to his students. As an educator myself, I know that watching students grow, being in a position to positively impact their lives, and celebrat- ing their successes are the greatest rewards a teacher can hope for. Educating, guiding, and enjoying his stu- dents was an enormous part of dad's life, a hugely happy and satisfying part of dad's life. He lived and breathed his commitment to his students; it was imper- ative to him that they all learn, try hard and ultimately, land sustainable careers, and he dedicated his life to the success of his kids, his university and the elaborate network of organizations, and friends that united them all. It was Dad's personal mission to educate students thoroughly and thus send capable applicants out into an industry he adored. It was his expectation that as his alumni grew and were promoted in the field, that they would remember where they came from, and con- tinuously look back, grab the hands of new students and pull them up, assuring that they too had a chance at success. "With the dedication of this field, Dad has been given the greatest reward a teacher can receive—the ultimate confirmation that he made a difference in the lives of his students, and that because of his many efforts and their hard work, they learned and are successful and happy. To have a ball field, built for students, by some of Dad's best former students, affirms that his efforts were worthy and that the legacy of his mission is alive and well, despite his absence. To all who have come today to honor their educator and friend, thank you for all you have given back to my father by way of each other. "Again, on behalf of my entire family, thank you to all who made this event possible, and to everyone who has come today. Gathering at a ball field with friends deeply loved, but seldom seen, eating burgers, and sharing stories about Dad are such incredible and unexpected gifts and we are so grateful. Todd and I are especially thankful for this chance to share with our children the life of their grandfather. Dad dreamt of being a grandpa and knowing what an amazing one he would have been can sometimes be a heavy reality to shoulder. Because of this event, and the stories you share with us today, Amelie and Skyler will have a deeper and more thorough understanding of who their grandpa was. While he can not be seen playing wiffle ball with them today, nor thank you in words, Brian, for all you have done, nor express his love and appreciation to all who have come to honor and remember him, there is no doubt in mind that he is present, smiling, laughing, cri- tiquing the field and getting ready to shout out 'play ball'!" ■ SportsTurf 41