FIELD OF THE YEAR COLLEGE SOFTBALL
find the right mix of staffing assignments and how to manage all of our athletic fields with six people . It ’ s still a work in progress , but we are always looking for more efficient methods to accomplish our duties .
Along the same lines , I ’ ve been included in more budgetary meetings along with other managers across our athletic campus . The goal by the end of this fiscal year is to establish a new budget specific to grounds-related costs . Having more control over the budget will aid us in our decision making instead of just waiting for a yes or no answer from someone who isn ’ t fully in touch with the situation . Educating administrators on grounds needs is still very important , but taking some of the financial decisions off their plate is a win-win for all parties .
The weather is also a big factor in how we approach our field maintenance . Growing grass in a cool-weather climate can be a challenge for early spring sports such as softball , as well as late fall sports like football and soccer . It ’ s very typical for the softball team to be 30 to 45 days into the season before the grass is actively growing . The opposite is the same for soccer and football season where we try to get through the final 30 to 45 days as the grass shuts down and the team is still working out . I ’ ve found the best approach is making sure the fields are put to bed in a really good condition . This may mean some late-season sodding of goal mouths , and trying to do small renovation projects like setting new base anchors or replacing pitching rubbers when the weather isn ’ t ideal . Staying a step ahead is critical , so when the weather takes a turn for the worse you are prepared .
is to do the best we possibly can every day . We are now more organized , equipped and have direction . The six guys who report to me have been phenomenal . They have responded to the changes and understand where we want to eventually get to . They ’ ve accepted the challenges I ’ ve put in front of them , and so far have exceeded my expectations . They deserve credit for all the hard work in sometimes not-so-great weather conditions .
Lastly , the administrators and leadership here at the University of Illinois have given me the ability to make the needed changes to the overall environment . Their continued support enabled me to set and achieve high goals . The importance of developing those relationships cannot be understated .
Future goals are to continue to establish good working habits , train staff , acquire more equipment , build a new equipment storage structure , and eventually create an assistant-level position to our grounds staff . SFM
SFM : Please tell us about your crew , and anything else you would like us to know about your organization and the fields / facilities that you manage ? Thomas : We currently have a staff of six full-time workers . Through trial and error , we ’ ve been able to assign them to “ properties ” so they can take ownership of their work . Accountability was an important factor when I was creating the new grounds crew . I want to train and educate them , which will then empower them to do high-quality work . The culture needed change , higher expectations needed to be established , and accountability was missing . It hasn ’ t always been smooth and continues to be a work in progress , but we ’ ve made great strides in establishing the culture of excellence . Our goal
16 SportsField Management | June 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com