FIELD OF THE YEAR SCHOOLS AND PARKS SPORTING GROUNDS
entire growing season was much more beneficial than our summer granular applications. We always work to keep the field“ game ready” at all times, because you never know“ who will see your work for the first time!”
SFM: Can you share a bit of insight into what the Field of the Year application process was like for you, as well as any tips you might have for other sports field managers? Sheetz: We utilize social media constantly within our program. While teaching high school students, this seems to be the most effective way of sharing what our program is doing, as well as the majority of student interest and growth. With that in mind, we take many pictures throughout the year. While keeping the idea in the back of my mind for applying for Field of the Year, I started a PowerPoint of pictures from January and simply listed the date and what was happening. As field managers, time can easily get away, but pictures are worth 1,000 words. Pictures do not lie— good or bad; they show greatness or imperfections that need to be addressed. Keeping all of the pictures in a PowerPoint helps document the year’ s progress. I also keep a log of every application in a Google document. Once the SFMA Field of the Year application opened, I had a year’ s worth of pictures and every application throughout the year at my fingertips. I feel that the Field of the Year application is an easy process as long as you keep up with everything throughout the year. Many people already do this, but it truly is a gift to see the progress of your crew’ s hard work and dedication throughout the year.
16 SportsField Management | May 2026 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com