PROFILE
SFM : You were the first sports field manager ever to achieve CSFM status . What did that mean to you , and what advice do you have for other sports field managers regarding the value of the CSFM certification ?
Kurcab : Being the first Certified Sports Field Manager wasn ’ t my goal . Back in the ‘ 90s , some of us were pushing for a certification program to grow the professionalism of our industry . After two years of committee work , we actually came up with a great program that has passed the test of time . We planned to announce the new CSFM program at the January 2000 STMA conference . I offered myself up to the committee to go through the entire process as a test run , using a proctored test so that we might identify any issues before launch . Dale Getz , CSFM , and I were the only two committee members with enough qualification points to sit for the test that was written by the academics on the committee . It quickly turned into a friendly race between Dale and I to study up and become the first ever CSFM ; to be recognized in front of the entire audience at the general assembly . Due to a snafu with his proctor , I edged out Dale by a couple of weeks . Pure luck , and , to this day , when I see Dale working the Super Bowl fields , I remind him that he ’ s # 2 !
I could write a book on all the advantages my CSFM designation has given to me during the last 20 years , but it ’ s all right there on the STMA ’ s web page . I would just say to anyone considering it : Try to find anyone who has gone through the process , passed the test , and says that it was not worth it . It ’ s a great template for your career growth , and more than worth it !
SFM : What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your career , and what advice do you have for other sports field managers when it comes to facing similar challenges ?
Kurcab : What I call “ Turfism ” — the cultural bias that views the sports field manager as an unskilled , uneducated “ worker ,” the groundskeeper . Try to find any piece of popular culture ( movies , books , etc .) that does not reinforce this bias . I never liked that term , “ groundskeeper ,” and never used it sportsfieldmanagementonline . com July 2021 | SportsField Management
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