RISING STAR
headed back to the West Coast to manage the fields for the USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams .
“ All those moves were moving upward , expanding skill set experience and chasing a more well-rounded resume ,” said Losito . “ I went there with the intent of working football for a while and seeing where it took me .”
Where it took him was back home to North Carolina and a first assistant position with the Carolina Panthers under longtime head groundskeeper Tom Vaughan . Losito served in that role from 2020 until April 2022 , at which time he was promoted to his current position as director of sports fields and grounds . He now oversees all sports field and landscape operations for Bank of America Stadium , as well as natural grass fields at the Panthers practice facility , four natural grass and two synthetic turf fields at the Charlotte FC training facility and a new Panthers indoor fieldhouse that is coming next year .
According to Losito , balancing the overlap of the NFL and MLS seasons can be tricky . What makes that challenge more manageable is the 11 skilled full-time staff members on his crew .
“ We have three managers — one for each property — a coordinator at each site , and then a crew of assistants at each as well ,” he said . “ We have four at soccer and , with me , we have eight at the stadium and practice fields . We are all one department over two campuses . When we need to help each other or when we need excess labor , we can all come together as a group of 12 or we can split up into groups of four or eight .”
In addition to his crew , Losito also cares for their “ shop cat ,” affectionately named Little Purr ( or LP ) in homage to the Panthers ’ mascot , Sir Purr . “ A couple months ago , she was hiding under a mower at the practice fields ,” said Losito . “ She popped into our lives , and now she hangs out in the office with me during the day and comes home at night .”
LP serves as “ therapy cat ” for those who visit Losito ’ s office . And , according to Losito , workplace culture is a priority . He hires predominantly based on character and fit with the team culture , with the intent of teaching his staff any needed skills .
“ We work a lot of long hours , and call a lot of audibles throughout the schedule and throughout the week ,” he said . “ We serve two teams and event loads here , so a lot of things change on the fly . We get a lot of weather interruptions , so everyone has to be willing to work in adverse conditions and on short notice . But they are good people — honest , hardworking , dedicated and driven .”
When all is said and done , the fields are painted and the hard work comes to life , Losito encourages his team to look at the fruits of their labor and take pride in what they do .
“ It ’ s hot out , you ’ re working long days and maybe it takes a few days to get everything painted and set up ,” he said . “ But then you take a step back and get to see it — that ’ s the most rewarding . Getting to see the crew have that same pride is probably the most fulfilling moment .” SFM
What their nominator had to say :
“ Danny leads as a teacher , and wants everyone around him to be better and grow alongside him . He possesses qualities that allow not only the younger generation to look up to him , but the older generation to take notice and advice from him as well . Danny is a Rising Star because of his impact on not only his organization , but the turf industry as well .”
30 SportsField Management | October 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com