Tony Koski, Ph.D., longtime professor and turfgrass Extension specialist at Colorado State University (CSU), passed away July 12 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68 years old.
Koski earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Knox College in 1979, an MS in Agronomy from Ohio State University in 1983, and a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Ohio State University in 1986. He began working for the Colorado State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture in 1988, and served CSU for the next 37 years.
Throughout his career, Koski received multiple awards and accolades, including:
Dr. William Daniel Founders Award (STMA), 2009
F.A. Anderson Distinguished Service Award, 2011
Most volunteer hours for Larimer County Master Gardener Program, 2012
CSU Extension Team Award, 2014
Epsilon Sigma Phi Team Award, 2016
Distinguished Service Award, Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association, 2018
Nebraska Turf Association Presidential Award, 2018
Koski was also a longtime supporter of SFMA, having served on a variety of committees.
According to CSU on Instagram, in his final days, Koski made silly reels with Alison O’Connor (posing as Treelock Holmes and Doctor Waston), recorded an interview with KUNC, and presented a webinar (which he stayed up until 3 a.m. to complete).
“He was an educator to the end,” the post stated. “He also made the decision to donate his body to science so others can continue to learn... and possibly one day, find a cure. Tony just started his 37th year at CSU, and people always asked when he would retire. He’d respond with, ‘Once it becomes a job, I’ll consider retiring.’ To him, it wasn’t just a ‘job’ because of the students, his colleagues, and other individuals that he had the pleasure of working with.”
Koski’s influence and impact is felt throughout the sports field management industry.
SFMA Past President Abby McNeal, CSFM, paid tribute to Koski on LinkedIn, stating, in part, “As a student, there was a time I didn’t believe in myself — but you did. You saw something in me and guided me toward opportunities that would test and shape my commitment to becom- ing a sports turf manager… You were instrumental in helping SFMA create the Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM) designation, raising the bar for individuals and our entire industry. I’m proud to hold that certification, in part because you believed I could…I’m deeply grateful to have learned from you — as a student, as a colleague, and as a friend. You will be missed, but your impact lives on."
Koski wrote his own obituary:
I was born in Lockport, Illinois, to wonderful parents, Jim and Irene Koski. As the oldest of four boys, I had a typical 1960s Catholic upbringing – lots of family dinners, summer trips to Wisconsin, and dreams of being a bird watcher (I even got into Cornell!). But I landed at Knox College as a pre-med student until my first “B” rerouted me.
I worked summers at Cog Hill Golf Club and later earned both my Master’s and Ph.D. at The Ohio State University, where I met Ronda and we began our family – Zach, Chris and Tim. After a short time in Extension at OSU, job offers came from across the country, but I chose Colorado State University in 1988 and never looked back.
For 37 years, I taught, researched, and worked alongside incredible students, colleagues, and Extension professionals. It never felt like a job; it was always fun.
My greatest pride is my family. My sons and their partners, Lauren and Simone, have supported me through everything. I’m in awe of them.
To my CSU family, Master Gardeners, and Extension peers: thank you for keeping me grounded and inspired. And to Alison, you made me a proud tree nerd.
May your lawns be green, your trees healthy, your friendships deep and never stop trying new things. In turf we trust.
The SportsField Management staff offers its sincerest condolences to Dr. Koski’s family and all those who knew him.