INDUSTRY INSIGHTS groundskeepers ) are simply not enough . This past spring , I contacted nine area college baseball head coaches , asking if they had any former or current players who might be interested in positions as interns or game day employees . Not knowing whether they passed the information on to their respective teams , I got three individual responses from a possible 270-plus candidates . I interviewed all three , and two fell by the wayside after they heard about the hours and time commitment . I hired the third as an intern , who never joined us due to a “ family situation ” that came up two weeks before the start of our season . My approach and advice to field managers is to be extremely creative and proactive in recruiting . Whether it ’ s using social media or websites , or in conversations , let as many people as possible know you are hiring .
SFM : What are the keys to getting young people interested in careers in sports field management , and what needs to occur to promote better awareness of this industry as a potential career ?
Winter : This question is the “ hot button ” topic in our industry today , and NO ONE seems to have the answer . I am involved with the STMA MiLB Task Force that has been charged by Major League Baseball to come up with outcomes to increase the number of qualified individuals to take care of baseball fields across all levels , to improve competencies , increase awareness of careers in MiLB and MLB , improve recruitment and retention of employees , and improve the work environment ( compensation , resources , staffing , hours , special events demands , etc .) of affiliated teams .
Our annual MiLB Symposium , which occurs at the conclusion of the STMA National Conference , will also be addressing this topic . It is paramount that the current generation of field managers at the Major and Minor League levels not only address , but come up with solutions to the issue at hand .
SFM : What advice do you have for young people who are already pursuing a career in sports field management with regard to getting noticed , landing a job , getting ahead , and building their career ?
Winter : If you are pursuing a career in sports field management , there has never been a better time for you to not only get a job , but to be selective in where you want to work . There is not a single Major or Minor League head groundskeeper who won ’ t want to talk with you . Having some experience working on a baseball field may be helpful , but right now , my motto is , “ If you have a pulse , let ’ s talk !”
SFM : A large portion of our readership includes sports field managers who are not national STMA members . What is your advice to non-members regarding the value of being involved in STMA ( or even at the chapter level ) and attending STMA Conference ?
Winter : Attending the STMA Conference has always been a highlight of the off-season for me . By the time January rolls around , your battery has been re-charged , and taking advantage of the education , trade show , networking , and camaraderie – plus traveling to a great city – breaks up the doldrums of winter . If you are currently working in the sports field management industry , or interested in discovering an interesting and rewarding new career , membership into the Sports Turf Managers Association will provide valuable resources , continuing education , and the initiative to succeed . SFM
The 2022 STMA Conference Opening General Session will be held Tuesday , January 18 , from 8-9:30 a . m . Questions from the audience will be encouraged during the conversation . For more information about the 2022 STMA Conference and Exhibition ( January 17-20 , 2022 , in Savannah , Ga .) please visit https :// www . stma . org / conference /. sportsfieldmanagementonline . com December 2021 | SportsField Management
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