RISING STAR
“ MetLife Stadium used to have an endzone tray system to switch from team to team ,” he said . “ This past offseason , we switched to a fully blank turf . The parts that are inlaid are the six-foot border around the field , the media lines , playing lines , hashmarks and numbers . So , if we want to switch from team to team on back-toback days , we paint for one team , play the game , then immediately following the game complete an overnight changeover . That process takes about 10 to 11 hours .”
Despite being early in his career , Morris is thankful for the people he has met and the mentors who have taught him . “ I can safely say that in each job I ’ ve held , I have had someone who has mentored me in a certain way ,” said Morris . Morris said that his professors at Virginia Tech — including Dr . Mike Goatley , Dr . Dan Sandor , and Dr . David McCall — pushed him to be the best he could be .
“ Professionally at Virginia Tech , our football field manager , Emerson Pulliam , was a big part of me learning what football field operations were all about ,” said Morris .
Morris added that Casey Underwood at Virginia Tech taught him how to act professionally in high-stress situations and in situations during which he is speaking with people who don ’ t have the same knowledge base .
“ At Vanderbilt , my counterpart in the athletic facilities department , Tom Howard , pushed me to not only learn the field management side , but also the facility management side ,” said Morris . “ My mentors who are shaping me in my current role : Steve Sansonese has taught me how to gain the respect of people in the building , but also outside the building as other teams and promoters come in ; and our labor foreman , Dennis Griffin , who has held a position in the NFL for 30-plus years , has taught me a tremendous amount in four months . I take what he has taught me , and I use it every day and let it shape my decision making .”
Morris would also like to thank anyone he failed to mention . “ Every time I ’ ve gone somewhere different , I feel like I bring that experience with me ,” he said .
The experience he has gained has helped him to better communicate with others , and also create the safest and best possible playing surface . It is also part of what drove Morris to pursue his CSFM .
“ CSFM was a goal of mine from when I first enrolled at Virginia Tech ,” he said . “ I knew it was attainable , and I knew it was within reach . As I travel and meet other people , I want them to know that they can trust me as someone they can rely on . The first chance I had to take the exam , I decided to take it . It was surprising to get the results back and know that on the first try I was able to pass all the sections needed . I feel it shows other people that gaining the certification is easily attainable . I think that only further promotes what SFMA is pushing for — and that is to put out the safest playing surface possible .”
Outside of work , Morris and his girlfriend , Alexandria , like to travel . He is also a movie buff and an avid cook and baker — his favorite dishes being pot roast and banana bread .
“ Cooking and baking are enjoyable for me ,” he said . “ I can do that and bring some of that love into the workplace and share my cooking and baking with our staff and my colleagues . I can say , ‘ I made a pan of brownies !’ It can be that little bit of a kick to get them through the day or through the rest of the week .”
Morris said he is honored to be a part of the inaugural class of Rising Star Award winners . “ I want people to know me and remember me for good things ,” he said . “ It ’ s humbling that people not only know my name , but my accomplishments to be able to consider me a Rising Star . I ’ m really young , and I ’ m behind where a lot of people are . It ’ s humbling to know that what I ’ m doing is making a difference in the industry . It ’ s an honor know that I ’ m making an impact at such a young age .” SFM
— Article written by John Kmitta , associate publisher and editorial brand director
WHAT THEIR NOMINATOR HAD TO SAY :
“ Tyler Morris epitomizes a Rising Star , because while he is young and still learning , his passion , education , willingness to engage and learn new things , and his readiness to give back and promote the industry set him apart from many of his peers .” sportsfieldmanagementonline . com October 2023 | SportsField Management
31