POST-SHOW RECAP
benefits the institution ’ s turfgrass program and creates opportunities for students pursuing a career in sports field management ( See sidebar on page 23 for Student Challenge results ).
Thursday , January 19 , featured more conference education , followed by trade show hours in the expo hall . Thursday ’ s Half Day Seminar on Wheels visited Zions Bank Real Academy & Training Center , training facility for MLS club Real Salt Lake , followed by University of Utah .
The SFMA Conference & Exhibition concluded in style Thursday night with the reception and awards banquet .
FOUNDERS AWARDS THE ERICSON AWARD : WESTON APPELFELLER , CSFM , AUSTIN FC Weston Appelfeller , CSFM , is a consummate professional and is known for his focus on building and developing a team of field managers to help develop and execute a field management program . When faced with the challenge of moving to Texas and starting with a new soccer club , he dove headfirst into that challenge and helped to design and create one of the most state-ofthe-art stadiums and field pitches in the United States . Having a background that was primarily in cool-season turfgrass , he researched and studied every factor possible that would go into a warm-season playing surface and used that in his decision-making process .
Appelfeller is embracing new technology and science such as grow lights , improved turfgrass varieties , and precision data collection tools to maximize his ability to produce a safe playing surface in an extremely difficult environment . In addition , he has recruited and hired a stellar staff to work alongside him , and allows them to utilize their strengths to achieve the high-level results that he is looking for . Appelfeller has been a strong supporter of SFMA ,
having served on numerous committees , as well as the board of directors for the association , and represents our industry in a highly professional way .
THE DANIEL AWARD : DR . CALE BIGELOW , PURDUE UNIVERSITY Dr . Cale Bigelow ’ s professional career at Purdue follows in the footsteps of the Founder for this award in Dr . Bill Daniel . Bigelow has continued to play a vital role in the continued growth of the Purdue University turfgrass program , particularly as it relates to undergraduate education . He has been an academic leader in Turfgrass Science instruction and research for several years , and is a regular presenter at SFMA conferences for his expertise in transition zone grassing alternatives for sports fields , nutrient management , and water conservation . Bigelow recently served SFMA as an academic representative in establishing and expanding communications with national FFA HQ in efforts to expand turfgrass science as part of FFA state and national student contests , as well as formal classroom instruction that would include SFMA-developed turfgrass educational programming .
Bigelow has received numerous awards from his department and college as an instructor and counselor , was recognized by the Crop Science Society of America in 2020 with the Crop Science Teaching Award , and has received national recognition as leading one of the best turfgrass social media outreach efforts on Twitter as @ BIGTurfTeaching .
William Daniel Award winner , Dr . Cale Bigelow ( left )
Dick Ericson Award winner , Weston Appelfeller , CSFM ( right )
GEORGE TOMA GOLDEN RAKE AWARD : JESSE DRIVER , CSFM , MID-ATLANTIC TURF , INC . Jesse Driver is president of Mid-Atlantic Turf , Inc ., and is a Certified Sports Field Manager ( CSFM ). Driver has consistently , throughout his career , been an SFMA member who has made significant contributions by going
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