PERSPECTIVES kid with a strong work ethic and a desire to learn. I got to spend time with Lubie and pick his brain, and I learned a lot of the basics that I would build upon from there and carry with me to my next stops.
I then moved to Ohio to be head groundskeeper for the Mahoning Valley Scrapper, Class-A affiliate for the Cleveland Indians. They are now part of the MLB Draft League; and things have come full circle, as my son Connor is now the head groundskeeper at 17 years old.
From there, I went to the Akron Aeros, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, and I also started working for the Cleveland Browns.
Prior to my hospitalization, I had no idea the turfgrass industry even existed, let alone that it would provide me with the chance to have a career in professional baseball. Through it all, the people of this industry have been the best part. They have given me so much, and have expected nothing in return. I would not be working in this industry if it weren’ t for those who have taken chances on me. As a result, I always make it a point to give people a chance and stand up for those who are just looking for experience and a shot.
A general manager once asked me to recommend someone for his head groundskeeper position. His response about the person I recommended was,“ He doesn’ t have much experience.” I told him that nobody has experience until given a chance. He hired who I recommended, and that person eventually went on to be a Major League Baseball groundskeeper.
Through my experiences, I have learned to be grateful. When everything is taken away from you, you learn to not take life for granted and be appreciative of what you have. I also learned to tell the people around me what they mean to me and that I appreciate them. In addition to Don and Lubie, I am grateful for Darian Daily, Brian Gimbel, Brent Packer, Paul Curtis, Bob Hudzik, Jeff Fowler, R. D. Slingerland, Pam Sherratt, Dr. John Street, Chris Powell and Neal Pate. Some of them are no longer with us, but I hope that they know they were appreciated by me and many others. All of these people taught me not only how to be a better turf manager, but how to pay it forward and help others.
I will never fully understand why I was saved and given a new lease on life. What I do know is that I am eternally grateful for my second chance at life and all of the people I have in it. But you don’ t have to go through a near-death experience to understand the importance of taking time to appreciate the gifts you have been given and the people who impact you every day.
Matt Duncan, CSFM,( right) with his son Connor.
" When everything is taken away from you, you learn to not take life for granted and be appreciative of what you have."
For the rest of my career, I will continue to think back to 1995, how my life took a turn, and how the worst thing that has ever happened to me became the best thing that has ever happened to me, because it brought me into the turfgrass industry.
Matt Duncan, CSFM, is a professional turf account manager for DLF, and serves as vice president – commercial on the SFMA Board of Directors. sportsfieldmanagementonline. com May 2026 | SportsField Management
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