FIELD OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL SOCCER
FC were huge for us , because those were our first true MLS games . For the second round we hosted two MLS teams , which was very exciting .
SFM : Did you change any of your maintenance practices this year ? Waszak : Yes . We were able to purchase a verticutter this past year , so that was a huge addition for us . We were able to thin out some of our ryegrass from last year prior to spraying out , and that really helped with our transition . We had a pretty seamless transition back to bermudagrass , and that was nice since we only had two to three weeks in between Crown ’ s schedule to get back to bermudagrass and have a playable surface for them .
We verticut a few times and did a couple more aerifications , but otherwise our cultural practices pretty much stayed the same . It worked out well for us .
SFM : What were the biggest challenges you faced ? Waszak : It was pretty smooth sailing . The biggest challenge was when we had to replace creases . We had a tight two-day window where we had to cut out two creases in the middle of the field ; but it all went seamlessly . I have to commend my team . They always do a great job .
SFM : Speaking of your team , please tell us about your crew . Waszak : We have three maintenance and operations technicians and one field turf specialist , and they run the show . They run a 150-acre park that has 11 other fields – not including the stadium – and they also handle event cleanup , event prep , painting , etc . We are a park , so we also have soccer tournaments going on at the same time we are hosting a Crown Legacy FC match . It ’ s not just the stadium that is running on a weekend ; it could be the other 11 fields as well . So , it ’ s a balancing act of making sure we have the stadium ready to go , but also having everything else ready . They all bring something to the table , and they are always willing to work and help out .
SFM : What are you most proud of with this win ? Waszak : Just the opportunity to win . It ’ s an awesome opportunity SFMA provides , and it ’ s an honor . It shows that my crew does an outstanding job . That ’ s what I am most proud of . It ’ s an awesome feeling for them and for me . SFM
16 SportsField Management | January 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com