PROFILE

“ By being the face of the organization, people who are of other ethnicities and other backgrounds can see that we’ re not what we used to be,” said Jones.“ That allows us to go into areas that we have not— such as urban schools or other predominantly minority situations— and represent the association. We can say,‘ Here’ s somebody who looks and thinks like you, somebody you can look to and connect with, and perhaps even help you navigate some of the unknowns that come with going into uncharted territory.’”

Jones added that there are many minorities within the sports field management industry, but that they are just not members of SFMA. He feels that the name change the association underwent six years ago— from Sports Turf Managers Association to Sports Field Management Association— was the first step to showing that anyone who works on a sports field is welcome as a member and can benefit from being a member.

“ I’ m very passionate about the work, about the people, and about creating the opportunity for the next person,” he said.“ What possibly separates me from others who have held this responsibility is that I have followed a non-traditional path. There are other people out there who have followed an unconventional path and maybe haven’ t been included. Just because you don’ t have a degree in sports turf or you went about it a different way doesn’ t mean you’ re separate. You should be included in this. I bring an inclusive mindset for as many different groups as possible.”

THE UNCONVENTIONAL PATH Having grown up in Pittsburgh, Jones was influenced from an early age by the blue-collar work ethic of the city.

“ I was around a lot of people whose parents worked in the steel mills,” he said.“ There was just the understanding that when we get up and put our boots on in the morning, we go to work. That was a big influence on me, and it’ s something I’ ve always carried with me.”

22 SportsField Management | February 2026 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com