FIELD OF THE YEAR SCHOOLS AND PARKS SOCCER
HERE IN SURPRISE, we have a rich history with SFMA that dates back to Joe Kennedy. His legacy continues to inspire us to restore and uphold the reputation set decades ago, with the spring training complex winning multiple awards.
I vividly remember working AAA baseball in Nashville and seeing the cover of SportsTurf in May 2005, thinking,“ Wow, this is amazing!” The fields and the White Tank Mountains in the background were stunning.
After moving to Arizona in 2008, I witnessed Roger Bossard frequently calling Joe to discuss field maintenance— highlighting the immense respect that the famous“ Sodfather” had for Joe and his contributions to the industry.
When I returned to pro ball in Peoria, Arizona( where Joe started), and later moved to Surprise, inside my desk I found an old Field of the Year application that Joe made for the 2005 submission. This history is the cornerstone of what our parks maintenance team strives for— especially as we built this sports field, the first new park here in almost 20 years.
With the unwavering support of our leadership team, including Holly Osborn, Shannon Gaul, and Ian Campbell, we embraced the mission to achieve the best field in the“ countryside.” I reached out to Scott Heren of Providence Catholic, Keith Fisher of Central Regional High, and Daniel Prince of Pace Academy for insights. Their willingness to help us understand the submission process was invaluable.
I meticulously gathered all the required data and documented everything, knowing that thorough documentation is crucial. As someone who takes numerous photos, I ensured we had extensive visual records, capturing both the good and the areas for improvement. The leadership team wanted a semi-pro-level field for our citizens and youth to use for multiple sports, and the city council gave us the means to accomplish this. Having that support staff and knowledge within our team, I believe, sets us apart.
— Steve Hamilton, CSFM, parks maintenance supervisor
sportsfieldmanagementonline. com June 2025 | SportsField Management
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