RISING STAR
Pipp eventually decided to try his hand with a facilities management company , serving as director of grounds at Virginia State University . Within a few months , Pipp was promoted to regional grounds director and helped oversee the northeast , southeast and parts of the Midwest . “ The primary focus was supporting a lot of different school districts and universities across the country ,” said Pipp .
According to Pipp , most of the challenges related to the job are due to deficiencies from prior to being awarded the contract — often due to years of neglect , drought or other circumstances . But the key to approaching those challenges is documenting everything , and , once again , proper communication .
Pipp serves as a leader , not only to those on his team but to others in the industry , as well as young people just starting in the industry . He encourages others to pursue continuing education and supports his team members with such opportunities ; he has also served on the SFMA Scholarship Committee .
His advice ? “ Give it time . There are plenty of times where I could have given up or thrown in the towel ,” said Pipp . “ I also tell people that sports turf is not the ‘ end all .’ I never got out of sports turf , but I got out to the point where it doesn ’ t take up 100 percent of my day . For someone who has just been doing sports turf , they sometimes don ’ t realize there are other aspects out there .”
Pipp also leads by example outside of work , and enjoys volunteering — including serving on the Chesterfield County ( Va .) Parks and Recreation Commission , as well as on the board of associates for the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond , Virginia .
“ I come from a family that instilled in me giving back ,” he said . “ I love what I do , and it does consume a lot of my time . But if I can give back , it ’ s rewarding .”
Pipp said the Rising Star Award means a lot , because it recognizes the impact his work has on the fields and grounds of young athletes and students .
“ It ’ s the same message I send to my team ,” he said . “ You never know if a Nobel Prize winner is going to be playing on that field , and can ’ t play athletics past the K-12 level . Or you never know if the next 19th-round draft pick out of your small college will go on to be a Cy Young winner and ultimately gives back to the college . As the grounds manager on site , you are giving them that experience . At our company we enhance the environment for the students , faculty , staff and parents who use those facilities . And that ’ s what I instill in our folks .” SFM
— Article written by John Kmitta , associate publisher and editorial brand director
WHAT THEIR NOMINATOR HAD TO SAY :
“ Billy is bringing his extensive knowledge of athletic field management into places that need honest guidance from a seasoned turfgrass manager . The fact that he and his staff manage so many accounts gives him the ability to impact many others in our industry . He is extremely progressive with his thinking , and strives to pass on new innovations to the staff within his accounts . This management and oversight of so many areas impacts the fields of many hundreds of young athletes .” sportsfieldmanagementonline . com October 2023 | SportsField Management
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