RISING STAR

Rising Star Award Winner Andy Hebrard called me from outer space . Well , at least it appeared that way as he showed off his galaxy background during a late- August Zoom call to discuss his career journey . For Hebrard — a man who likes metaphors , analogies and symbolism — it was rather fitting .

After all , Hebrard doesn ’ t see himself as a supergiant in the night sky , but merely one of many bright lights in the sports field management galaxy .

“ I ’ m just a little comet ,” he said . “ I lean on so many professionals and so many vendors who actually know what they ’ re doing . There are so many people just crushing it .”

Some industry peers ( and crews ) that Hebrard would like to credit for his success include , “ Lupes , Denny Jr .,

Big Juan , Yogi , Rene , Cito , Jordan , Coach , Pretty Nicky , PB2 , J Spray , Hansen , Bobby Love , B Love , Big Puma , Bullseye , Glen , Kev , The Golden Goose , Sammy , Brad , Dougie P ., Derrski , Big Smooth and Big Time Timmy Jim .” And although he is only in his mid-30s himself , Hebrard ’ s star has been on a slow and steady rise for a long time . That ’ s because he began his journey in the orbit of another star in the sport field management universe — his father Mike ( a . k . a ., “ Hebby ” or the recently coined “ Spaceman ”).

“ My dad ’ s been in the profession a long time ,” said Hebrard . “ That was my daycare — getting in the truck and going with him . As you do with your kids , you try to show them the way , and perhaps how you found

22 SportsField Management | October 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com