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/73468
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ByMike Andresen, CSFM B Notes on becoming a Certified Sports Field Manager sion to attempt to certify was based mostly on noble reasons but there was a little self- ishness involved too. As the certification program was developing and gaining steam, it was important as a Sports Turf Managers Association Board member that I show complete support for one of the most exciting initiatives to roll out during my ca- reer. Also, I did not have a four-year degree so taking the challenging test and passing it was a way I could feel more assured as a sports turf management professional. When I became certified I was the Ath- ECOMING CERTIFIED is one of the personal accomplishments of which I am most proud. The deci- ByTim Van Loo, CSFM Becoming a CSFM I letics Turf Manager at Iowa State Univer- sity, a position that leads students and helps prepare them for a future in this profession. I trusted that my becoming certified would demonstrate to students that no one ever stops learning and never stops striving to achieve. The real beauty of the program is how it demands a CSFM to be active in promoting the profession. The real beauty of the program is how it demands a CSFM to be active in pro- moting the profession. The Industry Serv- ice Points encourage CSFMs to be visible and active in writing, speaking, working, hosting and "representing" on behalf of, and for betterment of, the profession. Specifically, giving presentations was Service Points has been the most rewarding part. I enjoy giving talks at workshops and writing articles for our local chapter and SportsTurf magazine. I also enjoy volunteering on our local board and serving on national committees. I actually thought it would be the part of the process that would be the most difficult, but turns out I enjoy it the most. We all have experiences that could help some- body; only by sharing those experiences will you ever be able to actually help. Helping people is one of the most rewarding parts of my career and I look forward to the next opportunity to do so. tion to the profession and the STMA. I had had a lot of schooling, earning a few degrees from Michi- gan State, but I really wanted to show that Sports Turf was where I was dedicating my career. A smaller part of my motivation was to join the group of CSFMs that I respected so highly—a way to prove to myself that I belonged. Since becoming a CSFM earning the Industry BENEFITS TO YOU • A valuable learning experience • Recognition of achievement • Increased earnings potential • Commitment to excellence • Increased educational opportunities BENEFITS FOR YOUR EMPLOYER ment (probably still is) one of my absolute terrors in life. Going through the exercise of devel- oping and giving presentations certainly helped me immeasurably to be a better communicator within the sphere of our de- partment. I'd like to think giving simple presentations has helped someone with a challenge they're facing in their career. That feeling of "giving back" to a friend or a col- league is most gratifying. For personal and professional growth— regardless of it being field maintenance re- lated or not—I feel the Industry Service Points element of being certified has im- pacted my career most deeply. Mike Andresen is Facilities & Grounds Director at Iowa State in Ames, and a for- mer president of the STMA. ■ 32 SportsTurf | July 2012 • Increased professionalism • Commitment to excellence • Acknowledged accountability • Dedication to cost effective facility manage- • Commitment to field safety QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS The STMA firmly believes that a combination of education and experience are necessary to be the best possible athletic field manager. However, it also recognizes that in a profession as diverse as EXAMINATION major areas of sports field management: agronomics, pest management, administration and sports-specific field management. If you are committed to increas- ing professionalism in the sports turf industry, if you are interested in providing the best sports surfaces for all levels of play, if you are interested in raising the level of sports turf management, then consider becoming a Certified Sports Field Manager. ■ The examination for certification covers four Certified Sports Field Manager Program Information HAVING RECOGNIZED the importance of fostering and improving professionalism within the sports turf industry, STMA has developed a certifi- cation program for sports turf managers. Attaining the Certified Sports Field Manager status means you will be looked upon as a leader in the indus- try. It will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment and it can even improve your current or future employment prospects. Becoming a CSFM is meant to challenge your knowledge of managing sports fields and to draw upon all aspects of your background in education and experience to prove that you are one of the best in the industry. Meeting the chal- lenge can contribute to your professional advancement in sports field management. Con- tact STMA Headquarters for a CSFM Application Form. BECAME CERTIFIED the summer of 2009, the first year that I was eligible to take the test. My motivation was mostly to show my dedica- the sports turf industry, experience should play a major role. In order to successfully gain certification, you must meet certain education and/or experience re- quirements. These requirements were set to estab- lish minimum criterion for becoming certified. You will notice, however, that there is a strong leaning toward experience as a sports field manager. For ex- ample, it is possible to be certified without having any formal education beyond high school if you have enough years of experience. You cannot, how- ever, become certified by virtue of education alone. A total of 40 combined education and experi- ence points are required to take the certification ex- amination. www.sportsturfonline.com