Officers

President : Sun Roesslein , CSFM

Immediate Past President : James Bergdoll , CSFM , CPRP

President Elect : Nick McKenna , CSFM

Secretary-Treasurer : Adam Thoms , Ph . D .

Vice President Commercial : Paula Sliefert

Directors

Academic : Chase Straw , Ph . D .

At-Large ( elected ): Ryan DeMay , CSFM

At-Large ( appointed ): Zachary Holm , CSFM

Commercial : Erin Boyd Wilder

Higher Education : Jason DeMink , CSFM

Parks and Recreation : Jason Bowers , CSFM

Professional Facilities : Alpha Jones , CSFM

Schools K-12 : Jeremy Driscoll , CSFM

SFMA OFFICE P . O . Box 1673 Lawrence , KS 66044 Phone : 800-323-3875 Email : SFMAInfo @ SportsFieldManagement . org www . sportsfieldmanagement . org

SFMA EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Chair : Brad Thedens , CSFM Board Liaison : Chase Straw , Ph . D . Members : Matthew Arms , CSFM ; Philip Braselton ; TJ Brewer , CSFM ; Joe Churchill ; Forrest Jammer ; John Kmitta ; and David Schwandt .

Founders Awards , scholarships and Field of the Year Awards , oh my ! The month of October is a big one as the application deadlines for these exciting programs are this month . Founders Awards recognize four individuals who make a tremendous contribution to our profession throughout their careers , and can be nominated by any member . Scholarships are awarded to emerging professionals , setting the recipient up with some funding assistance to complete their formal education . Field of the Year Awards are each member ’ s opportunity to show off how they utilize their resources , get creative with management programs and provide amazing playing fields in every category . While these programs all have deadlines this month , one exciting thing opens — SFMA Conference registration for 2024 in Daytona Beach , Florida .

Many of us have heard our annual conference and exhibition referred to as our industry ’ s “ family reunion .” The November issue of SportsField Management magazine will dive into the educational offerings and details for the show this year , but nothing can quite capture the importance of networking and reconnecting with our peers . It always reenergizes me to spend time with friends from all over the country , catch up on successes and struggles , and laugh together . I ’ ve been an SFMA member for more than 20 years , and I have not missed a conference yet . Even though I only see a majority of my SFMA friends once a year , you all fill my cup .

There is plenty of research out there proving that connecting with others benefits our mental health in many ways . Building a network of professional friends grows your support system of peers you can trust to bounce ideas off , help you navigate challenges and celebrate your wins . There is something extra special about being able to rely on someone who understands the professional challenges , and has probably navigated them as well .

I ’ m incredibly lucky that many of my industry peers have become friends — friends I travel with , spend time with outside

professional events and many I talk to on a regular basis . I love it when a friend who travels for their job is in town , and we can get together for dinner . Not a sales meeting or at a seminar , but to sit down for a meal and connect . I ’ ve met all these people in one way or another because of my involvement in SFMA and attending the annual conference . I ’ m already looking forward to catching up with you in January ! SFM

Sun Roesslein , CSFM

Sun Roesslein , CSFM SFMA President Sun . Roesslein @ jeffco . k12 . co . us sportsfieldmanagementonline . com October 2023 | SportsField Management

7