ON-FIELD ARTISTRY
the field is such a critical part of our industry because it grabs the eye of the unknown viewer .
I bring this story up a lot , but I always go back to when I was a kid at Shea stadium , walking out to see the New York skyline etched into the outfield grass , not knowing how it got there . Over time , and by gaining understanding , it is unbelievable to see how my passion for field management has brought me to the point where I have been able to do similar things with my students at Brentsville .
I always tell my students that there are times where you need to take risks to truly be able to develop the design or the pattern that you hoped for , but to never risk any harm to the field because it is not about just the artistry . It ’ s about ensuring player safety and ensuring plant safety ; but by having strong technical skills , we can produce these designs and enjoy the work that is being done .
I have been fortunate to meet and speak with so many sports field managers from around the world to discuss their passion and understanding , and how they view certain aspects of what we do as sports field managers . Something that I believe has been a common denominator — especially when discussing on-field artistry — is that no matter how complex the design is , every single individual takes great pride in his or her work . Their on-field artistry is truly a reflection of who they are as sports field managers . That is why , when I am working with my students at Brentsville , I have found it critical for them to understand the time , energy , care and the overall work that goes into their field is something in which they need to take pride . They are excited to have the ability to improve safety and playability , as well as the aesthetics , because that is where they gain the interest that then grows into a passion for sports field management .
As sports field managers , we find ourselves developing new and exciting artistic aspects of our fields , as well as new ways of expressing different key components of what is significant to the community . For example , we recently painted a design on our baseball field ( above ) for one of our students who is fighting brain cancer to show our support and love . Everything we do has significance — whether that is aerating our fields to ensure healthy root growth and soil profile or taking care of crew members who need our help .
Neil Gaiman once said , “ The world always seems brighter when you just made something that wasn ’ t there before .”
We come into work each and every day looking to create something new , brighter and more creative than the day before . That is why this is such an incredible life as a sports field manager , because we can be as
creative as we want to be while always making a brighter day for those we serve . SFM
Drew Miller is director of the Brentsville Turfgrass Management Program , located in Nokesville , Va . Miller is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor ’ s degree in Crops and Soil Sciences , focusing in Turfgrass Management , and a master ’ s degree in Career and Technical Education with a focus in Ag Education . Miller has spent the last four years developing a high school program and curriculum that prepares students for jobs in all areas of the turfgrass industry . Prior to that , he spent the majority of his career in professional baseball , football and collegiate athletics . Recognized nationally for his on-field artistry , Miller has won the STMA Stars and Stripes Contest , as well as the STMA Mowing Patterns Contest .
26 SportsField Management | July 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com