RISING STAR
“ Communication is key ,” Waszak said regarding how he approaches the wide range of ages using the sportsplex . “ We have two facility managers who usually handle the user groups . They do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work . With the two professional teams that train here , I communicate with the coaches as much as I can . If any problems arise , they ’ ll bring it to my attention , and we ’ ll get on top of it as soon as possible .”
The biggest challenge has been finding help . Waszak currently has three full-time employees and two part-time workers .
“ Two of my full-time guys are very experienced ,” Waszak said . “ The third guy is relatively new but has a turfgrass degree . Before the pandemic we had a lot of interns , and we were getting college kids wanting to work . Coming out of Covid , filling those part-time roles has been a challenge . The two on the part-time staff have been sticking with us for a few months and they ’ ve been doing a good job .”
The efforts of Waszak and his crew have not gone unnoticed , as they earned the SFMA 2022 Field of the Year Award in the Schools and Parks Soccer category for Sportsplex Stadium Field . But maintaining those highquality fields is no easy task for Waszak and his crew with nine synthetic fields and three natural grass fields .
“ The cool thing about the sportsplex is that each subsurface or infill is different ,” Waszak said . “ Five of our synthetic fields are going on 11 years old and have crumb rubber infill . The other four originally had Geofill , but now they are BrockFill . Two natural grass fields are pushup clay , and the stadium field is a sand base . We get to dabble in everything , and learn from everything . We go non-stop year-round , and we handle everything in-house — painting , cultural practices , mowing . The only thing we contract out is our common-area mowing .”
Waszak also recently added nearby American Legion Memorial Stadium to his responsibilities . It ’ s a 10,000-seat stadium with a synthetic surface and is home of the Charlotte Independence of the USL1 .
He has also continued his education , and recently earned his Turfgrass Management Certificate from the University of Georgia ,
“ What I truly enjoy about the job is providing a great product everybody can enjoy ,” said Waszak . “ Whether it ’ s a young kids ’ football game or Charlotte FC ’ s MLS Next team , providing that same product and seeing the joy of kids playing on our surfaces .”
When speaking to the next generation of sports field managers , Waszak ’ s advice to those interested in the profession is to travel for their internships .
“ Don ’ t stay local ,” he said . “ There are turfgrass managers and opportunities all over the country . If they ’ re able to provide housing for the summer , then jump on it . A really good way to get into the industry is through a golf course management internship . It might not be exactly what you ’ d want to do , but it is still a great way to get experience .”
As for the Rising Star Award and recognition from his peers , Waszak said it ’ s an honor to even be nominated .
“ It means that I ’ m doing something right and hopefully I can continue to do the right things ,” he said . “ I truly appreciate everyone in the industry that I work with . I want to shout out to my staff , I would ’ ve never won a Field of the Year Award without them , and they support everything that I do . I also want to thank my wife for putting up with everything that comes with being married to a sports field manager , such as the long hours away from home and working on weekends and holidays .” SFM
— Article written by Robert Augsdorfer , assistant editor
WHAT THEIR NOMINATOR HAD TO SAY :
“ Jonathan always leads by example . His willingness to do whatever is required to complete the goal at hand fosters loyalty and buy-in from his employees . The positive attitude that Jonathan brings to every situation is the reason that team is so successful . Jonathan has an uncanny ability to recognize when to be hands on , while balancing the need to lead an entire team .” sportsfieldmanagementonline . com October 2023 | SportsField Management
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