2025 RISING STAR AWARDS C. J. BUCK
whenever you give good advice and you get pictures back or clients reach out to say that your recommendations worked is what makes it all worth it.”
In addition to helping his clients, Buck enjoys helping others in the industry through service to the Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization( KAFMO) and national SFMA( Buck currently serves on the SFMA Editorial Committee).
“ I want to be useful to the industry that’ s given me a whole career,” said Buck.“ It means something to be able to help out, be with like-minded people and talk shop. We all want to see this industry get better.”
Buck’ s advice to others, especially students, is to move around— either through internships or jobs— to find best place, best sport, best level of play or best facility for you. Then, once you get your foot in the door, give 100 % effort.
“ It’ s a hard job. It’ s not fun to work outside when it’ s pouring rain and you have to pull a tarp, or when it’ s 5 degrees outside snowing sideways and you’ re the only person at the facility,” he said.“ But then there are those days where it’ s just the best. It’ s a labor of love, but the industry accepts and rewards people who show up every day and give 100 % effort.”
When he’ s not at work, and not playing or watching soccer, C. J. Buck is busy being husband to his high school sweetheart, Brittany, and father to his daughter, June, who was born in February of 2024.
“ She’ s walking and talking and able to start playing around and have a good time,” he said.“ We also have three dalmatians— Tyson, Rebel and Cora.
We don’ t like a calm house. I enjoy fishing, running and being outdoors. And I enjoy a nice nap on the couch with soccer on in the background.”
Being selected as a SportsField Management Rising Star“ means everything” to Buck.
“ There are lonely tasks, lonely days on the job, but it always comes back to being part of a grounds crew,” he said.“ It’ s a crew of people, so it’ s not any one person who has ever truly earned the spotlight on their own. It’ s always the effort of multiple people. Now it’ s a bit
WHAT THEIR NOMINATOR HAD TO SAY:
C. J. has worked tremendously hard to serve this industry and move it forward. He has mentored students and serves his local chapter and SFMA. He has shown strong leadership while creating new opportunities for himself and the sports field managers in his region. He’ s not one to seek attention, but is deserving of this award because of his passion for the industry.
different for me being in sales, but still being thought of in this regard by folks who are doing the same thing I was doing fills me with more pride than I can express.”
Buck added that he never won a Field of the Year award or other accolades, but takes pride in seeing his former interns and assistants go on to achieve bigger roles in the sports field management industry. He has had former assistants or interns go on to head groundskeeping jobs in Saint Louis, Orlando and Nebraska, as well as a former assistant now running his own landscaping company.
Said Buck,“ That is better than any award I could receive, and it really makes me proud.” sportsfieldmanagementonline. com October 2025 | SportsField Management
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