SFMA IN ACTION

October 15 – Don ’ t Miss the Deadline

SFMA ’ s high profile awards , grants and scholarship programs all have application deadlines of October 15 , 2023 . Visit sportsfieldmanagement . org , Programs to find the applications for :

FIELD OF THE YEAR : For practitioners who exhibit excellence in field management practices . Awards are given in three levels : Schools and Parks , Colleges and Universities , and Facilities used by Professional Athletes . In addition , five sports are eligible : baseball , football , softball , soccer and sporting grounds ( which is a broad category for sports such as lacrosse and rugby ).

FOUNDERS AWARDS : Nominate a peer for one of SFMA ’ s highest honors , these four awards recognize those members who have made significant contributions to SFMA and to the profession . These awards are named in honor of SFMA ’ s four early leaders : Dr . William Daniel , George Toma , Dick Ericson and Harry Gill . Each award has its own criteria based on the founder ’ s characteristics .

INNOVATIVE AWARDS : Presented to one or more exhibitors who have introduced an innovative product , service or technology that enhances the sports field manager ’ s effectiveness or makes the field surface safer . This prestigious award is given to one or more exhibitors at the SFMA Annual Conference .

SAFE SCHOLARSHIPS : Dr . James Watson Scholarships , sponsored by The Toro Company and the Dr . Fred Grau Scholarship , are for turfgrass students in graduate , four-year , and two-year programs , and the top student in a two-year program , respectively . The Paul Zwaska Scholarship , presented by Beacon Athletics , promotes diversity within the profession through an annual scholarship program for students from groups underrepresented in SFMA .

SAFE GRANTS : The Gary Vanden Berg Internship Grant is awarded to a member who worked as an intern in the preceding spring or summer season . The Terry Mellor Continuing Education Grant , presented by Turface , is to help fund a practicing sports field manager ’ s attendance at the annual SFMA Conference and Exhibition . All members of an SFMA affiliated chapter are eligible to win and must be nominated through a letter of recommendation by a national SFMA Member . The Leo Goertz Grant , presented by Pioneer Athletics , funds up to seven two-year memberships for non-SFMA members . SFMA national or chapter members or a fellow employee can nominate an individual . The grant also allows for self-nomination .

DIVISION OF REEF INDUSTRIES , INC .

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© 2023 Reef Industries , Inc . Griffolyn is a registered trademark of Reef Industries , Inc . 08 / 23 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com October 2023 | SportsField Management

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