President : Nick McKenna , CSFM

Immediate Past President : Jimmy Simpson , CSFM

President-Elect : James Bergdoll , CSFM

Secretary-Treasurer : Sun Roesslein , CSFM

Vice-President Commercial : Jeremy Bohonko

Professional Facilities : Nicole Sherry

Academic : Adam Thoms , Ph . D .

Higher Education : Clark Cox , CSFM

Parks & Recreation : Brad Thedens , CSFM

Schools K-12 : Jeremy Driscoll Commercial : Paula Sliefert

At-Large Elected : Scott Thompson , CSFM

At-Large Appointed : Alpha Jones , CSFM

STMA OFFICE P . O . Box 1673 Lawrence , KS 66044 Phone : 800-323-3875 Email : STMAinfo @ STMA . org www . STMA . org

STMA EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Chair : Brad Thedens , CSFM Technical Editor : Adam Thoms , Ph . D .

Rebecca Auchter , CSFM ; TJ Brewer , CSFM ; Joe Churchill ; Arthur Eddy ; Charles Goode ; Eric Harshman ; John Kmitta ; Cody McKee ; Kelly Rensel , CSFM ; Eric Roberts , CSFM ; David Schwandt ; Chase Straw , Ph . D .

Howdy STMA members ! Another month has come and gone , and it ’ s hard to believe its December already ! As the end of another year nears us , I wanted to take a moment to look back and reflect . This past year has brought a lot of changes to most of our lives and , at the same time , has allowed many of us to return to part of our normal routine . Sports have resumed at pretty much all levels , and with it , we as the sports field management industry have continued to do what we do best – provide safe and playable surfaces for athletes worldwide ! It has also been an exciting year for the STMA with the release of our BMP project , the launch of our Sports Field Management 101 course , as well as a new advocacy video highlighting the work of sports field managers everywhere . All of these projects were designed to educate people and will hopefully help us recruit more individuals to our industry and allow them to be successful into the future .

It ’ s crazy to think that just eleven months ago , we were hosting our first-ever virtual conference ; and although that event was an overall success , I can ’ t tell you how excited I am to be back together in person next month in Savannah , Ga . Speaking of conference , it ’ s not too late to make plans to join us , so beg , bribe or blackmail whoever you need to in order to make that happen . I ’ m just kidding about the bribe and blackmail part , but , seriously , find a way to join us . I promise that you won ’ t regret it . The conference is always one of my favorite times of year as the education , networking , camaraderie , and celebration of our peers helps to rejuvenate me for the upcoming year .

As we enter the holiday season , I hope that you all will take some time to recharge your batteries both mentally and physically . I have always found the holidays a wonderful time to spend with

family and loved ones and regain an appreciation for all that life has to offer . There is an old saying that goes “ Yesterday is history . Tomorrow is a mystery . Today is a gift . That ’ s why it ’ s called the present .” During this season of giving and celebration , I encourage you all to recognize and enjoy all the “ presents ” that you already have , and to give thanks . May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! SFM

Nick McKenna , CSFM

Nick McKenna , CSFM STMA President nmckenna @ athletics . tamu . edu sportsfieldmanagementonline . com December 2021 | SportsField Management

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