FIELD OF THE YEAR SCHOOLS & PARKS FOOTBALL
October 11, 2024: Fourteen days after the initial flood, the field played great and was just as safe as before the flood.
SFM: What were the biggest challenges you have faced with the winning field, and how have you approached those challenges? Bret Thatcher, campus and athletic fields groundskeeper: One of the biggest challenges, without a doubt, was the flooding from Hurricane Helene. When faced with nature’ s power, humility is essential. While we rely on forecasts, and are thankful for those who provide them, sometimes Mother Nature presents the toughest challenge. In the end, it was our teamwork that allowed us to overcome the damage and rise to the occasion.
SFM: Can you share a little about your overall management approach to the winning field and what you feel have been the most important aspects to getting this field to an award-winning level?
“ In the end, it was our teamwork that allowed us to overcome the damage and rise to the occassion.”
14 SportsField Management | December 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com