John Kmitta Associate Publisher / Editorial Brand Director jkmitta @ epgacceleration . com 763-383-4405

The February issue of SportsField Management has traditionally featured an in-depth profile of the incoming SFMA President . However , this issue is a departure from that format , because SFMA President Sun Roesslein , CSFM , will serve a second year as association president in 2024 .

Until the late 2000s , SFMA presidents traditionally served a two-year term , but that switched to one-year terms in 2009 due to the demands of the role . It makes perfect sense , because by the time a person takes over the role of president , they have already served the board as a director , then secretary / treasurer , then president-elect . As a result , each president has served the association for several years .

For example , 2024 will be Roesslein ’ s eighth year on the SFMA Board of Directors . I hope everyone who reads this can truly appreciate the time , effort and dedication board members devote to improving the sports field management industry , advocating on your behalf , boosting professionalism and championing safe playing surfaces for all athletes .

Don ’ t forget , SFMA board members are volunteers who work full-time careers in the industry , then devote many additional hours of their own time to serve the association and the profession .

With that in mind , in lieu of the president ’ s profile in this issue , Roesslein ; SFMA CEO Laura Simmons , MBA , CAE ; SFMA President-elect Adam Thoms , Ph . D .; and SFMA Academic Director Chase Straw , Ph . D ., have graciously shared their thoughts and insights into the past year and the state of the sports field management profession overall , as well as their outlook for 2024 and beyond .

And although they touch upon SFMA initiatives within the state of the industry , we also felt it important to devote a separate article in this issue to SFMA ’ s new mentorship program .

Almost everyone in this industry with whom I have spoken has shared the impact their mentors and teachers have had on their careers . So it is great to see a formal program being launched to facilitate ongoing mentorship , education and communication throughout the sports field management profession .

As we embark on the coming year , I just want to add that I look forward to another year working with Sun and collaborating to share SFMA ’ s message . I am truly thankful to have her support , along with that of Laura Simmons , the SFMA HQ staff and the rest of the SFMA Board of Directors . SFM

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SportsField Management | February 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com