RISING STAR

As Associate Director of Grounds at Christopher Newport University ( CNU ), a Division III school in Newport News , Virginia , Chris Webb , CSFM , is bothered by comments he hears from others at the Division III level such as , “ That ’ s good enough for D-III ,” or “ You know this isn ’ t D-I , right ?”

“ I like to think that I inspire high standards ,” said Webb . “ When other teams come here , they are impressed with the level of our playing surfaces — and that is a shame to me . It ’ s true that we don ’ t have the resources or the budgets of Division I programs , but that doesn ’ t get in our way here of providing a great surface or a great experience for our athletes and the community .”

Visting teams have good reason to be impressed with the fields at CNU . Webb and his team won the SFMA College and University Softball Field of the Year in 2018 for Captains Park , and the SFMA College and University Soccer Field of the Year in 2019 for Captains Field .

“ The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little something extra ,” said Webb . “ I try to make sure that my work ethic of giving that little bit extra is something I push onto the men and women who work for us .”

Webb learned that work ethic — and gained his love of turfgrass management — growing up in rural southwest Virginia .

Photo by Kyle Cummings , Christopher Newport University

“ Growing up , I enjoyed playing golf ,” said Webb . “ And when I wasn ’ t playing golf , I was spending time with my grandfather — helping him with his lawn , in his garden or on his farm .”

That passion for golf , and the love of working outside , put Webb on the path toward turfgrass management . But when he arrived at Virginia Tech for college , he soon realized that golf was not where his true passion lay . It was at that time that he got an opportunity to work with Larry DiVito and the Washington Nationals .

“ I still remember the first day walking into RFK ,” said Webb . “ If 19-year-old me wasn ’ t going to be in sports field management walking down the ramp into RFK that day , I can promise you that walking up the ramp that day I knew this is where I was going to head someday .”

Added Webb , “ They say that if you like what you do , you will never work a day in your life . That ’ s kind of how I feel .”

Webb ’ s passion for sports field management ultimately led him to CNU , where his crews of full-time , part-time and student employees are responsible for maintaining the landscape of the entire campus , all of the turf on campus , all outdoor furnishings , hardscapes , stormwater and snow removal — in addition to the athletic fields .

The department is broken into a turf side and a landscape side , and also includes irrigation and spray technicians . Webb oversees the various groups , and also serves as official sports field manager .

36 SportsField Management | October 2023 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com