PROFILE
to go through these challenges and come out on the other side . We found a way through it . What ’ s the next challenge ? What ’ s the next opportunity ?”
A SENSE OF PRIDE McKenna has made the most of his opportunities , and is proud of several career achievements .
First is winning STMA College Football Field of the Year in 2005 during his first stint at Texas A & M .
“ It was a big point of pride for our university , for our crew ,” he said . “ I thought it was neat to be recognized for the work we did and be recognized as the best college football field in the country that year .”
Second on his list of accomplishments was getting his CSFM designation ( in 2011 while at Virginia Tech ).
“ Mike Andresen set that precedent for me , and I set that goal ,” said McKenna . He added that Andresen introduced him to STMA , professionalism beyond one ’ s own career , being involved in the industry , being a professional at the next level , getting involved and giving back .
“ Mike was the first CSFM I knew ,” said McKenna . “ So , very early on , that was one of the things I put up there as a goal . That was a big enough priority to him to attain , then that is important for me . As a 22-year-old college student , you look at that and think that is a long way away . So , when I finally got to the point where I got to test and attained that , it was a big deal . It ’ s a huge sense of accomplishment to do so .”
According to McKenna , the CSFM program is important to STMA and the industry .
“ We are always trying to enhance and establish our image as professionals in our industry ,” he said . “ I think that the CSFM designation is a way to help steer that .”
McKenna added that it would be ideal if the program would get to the point where the designation is respected and recognized throughout the industry , and employers include “ CSFM preferred ” or “ CSFM required ” in job descriptions so that those with their CSFM designation are recognized as the best of the best .
He added , “ I know hundreds of guys who are equally or more skilled as field managers than me who don ’ t have [ the CSFM designation ], and have no desire or need for it . But I think , as an association , it is an important program for the future of our industry .”
McKenna also points to his role as a teacher and mentor to the next generation as a career achievement .
“ Part of my role as a sports field manager , especially when working with students , is that I ’ m an educator ,” said McKenna . “ I ’ m helping develop that next generation of sports field managers – I hope . I enjoy seeing the successes of these young adults after they leave us . To me , that is so rewarding . I hope that I had at least a small role in that path for them .”
GIVING BACK TO THE INDUSTRY McKenna has also made it a point to be involved and give back to the industry , including serving on the Virginia Sports Turf Board , in Texas at the state level , at the national level on various committees , and eventually on the national board .
“ I just made it a priority that I want to keep being involved and I want to keep trying to give back ,” said McKenna . He added that being involved with FFA taught him about serving beyond himself .
“ When we are young , we think about ourselves ,” he said . “ But as we continue to develop as people , as we mature and grow , we start to think outside ourselves .”
As for involvement in the industry at the state / chapter level or at the national level , or both , McKenna said , “ If you have a vision for what your career should be , for what your job should be , for what your industry should be , you have to become actively involved to help steer it . You can ’ t score in the game if you are not on the team . If you see something you don ’ t like , the only way things get
26 SportsField Management | February 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com