INDUSTRY NEWS
The award recognizes a professional whose career includes multiple achievements and contributions to sport safety and security . The recipient ’ s service , commitment , ingenuity and integrity must have elevated the profession to new levels to warrant this prestigious honor . The recipient is selected by a panel of subject matter experts on behalf of the NCS4 .
“ Milt is someone for whom I have the ultimate respect for . I was not surprised when this award was named after William “ Bill ” Squires him , and I have seen so many individuals who are friends that I look up to who have received this award ,” said Squires . “ It ’ s quite an honor to receive this award in Milt ’ s name , but looking at my predecessors , who are icons in the industry , it is even more of an honor .
“ The work I have done during my career was not for recognition . I did the things I did and continue to do things for this industry because I work hard at what I do . I care deeply about the safety and security of our fans , performers , event staff , and anyone else who visits our venues ,” Squires added .
Squires is a United States Naval Academy graduate who served on active duty as a naval aviator for 12 years before joining the Naval Reserves . He retired from the Naval Reserves as a Commander after 24 years of service .
In 1987 , Squires made the difficult decision to leave active duty to work for the New York Yankees after the owner of the Yankees , George M . Steinbrenner III , offered him a job . He has held top-level positions with Yankee Stadium , Giants Stadium , Cleveland Browns Stadium and ESPN Wide World of Sports .
“ Bill thoroughly deserves this award for all his contributions to the sports safety and security field . He has been a leader in this space for many years and continues to advance the industry with his unique knowledge and skillset . The NCS4 team is excited to be recognizing Bill for his hard work and dedication ,” said Dr . Stacey Hall , NCS4 executive director and professor of sport management .
Squires is a member of the Sports League Sports Council , which includes senior security officials from sports leagues and organizations that work with the Department of Homeland Security on security issues involving the safety and security of sports and entertainment venues . He is also a past president of the Stadium Managers Association .
He is an adjunct professor in the Master of Science in Sports Management at Columbia University and has
taught the Sports Facilities and Events Management course since 2007 . He will co-teach a new graduate course , Sustainability in Sports , in the fall of 2024 .
The Land Sports and Recreation Complex breaks ground
The City of Saraland , Alabama , hosted a ceremony to officially break ground on The Land Sports & Recreation Complex . Community members , local officials and project partners attended to celebrate the new state-ofthe-art facility .
Once completed , The Land will feature cutting-edge sports fields , hard courts , multipurpose event spaces , an indoor recreation center , a family entertainment center and numerous amenities for various sports and recreational activities .
“ We are incredibly excited to officially break ground on The Land ,” said City of Saraland Mayor Howard Rubenstein . “ Our goal is to provide Saraland with a first-rate facility that will greatly expand recreational opportunities for all residents . I ’ m proud to call Saraland home , and The Land will only elevate our community as a wonderful location to live , work , and play .”
The 78,000-square-foot facility will offer four basketball courts ; eight regulation-size collegiate volleyball courts ; 12 pickleball courts ; an indoor track ; fitness center ; family entertainment center ; and adaptable event spaces complete with food and beverage amenities . The expansive outdoor venue will include five multipurpose fields for football , soccer , field hockey and lacrosse ; eight baseball and softball diamonds , including a 400-foot regulation-size field ; three tennis courts ; three beach volleyball courts ; six pickleball courts ; a disc golf course ; an outdoor trail ; and full-service concessions .
The outdoor fields and ball diamonds are anticipated to open in fall 2024 , while the entire complex , including the indoor recreation center , is projected to open in spring 2025 . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com June 2024 | SportsField Management
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