2025 RISING STAR AWARDS JUSTIN DANELUTT
field that you maintain. They don’ t know who you are personally, but they will remember that they won a state championship at Choccolocco Park when they were 12 years old. That’ s pretty gratifying.”
Danelutt credits the City of Oxford with the support needed to make Choccolocco Park a success.
“ The mayor and the city council understand what kind of economic impact this facility makes on the community, and they don’ t give us any flack if we need anything,” he said. During his tenure at Choccolocco, Danelutt has learned how to manage people.“ You have to be able to manage people differently,” he said.“ People have different temperaments, and can handle things differently. You just have to adapt and learn and grow and try to learn your employees’ temperaments.”
Danelutt is also active in the industry and is a resource for others. For example, Talladega Superspeedway reached out to him last year because they were having issues with their infield. Danelutt consulted with Talladega, identified a drainage problem and suggested solutions. He and his crew also help Cider Ridge Golf Club.
“ This is an industry where, at the end of the day, everybody has the same goal and you want to help your peers,” he said.“ You want them to succeed.”
For Danelutt, the best part of the job is his workplace.
“ You just can’ t beat walking out onto a baseball field, and that’ s your office.”
Outside of work, Danelutt and his wife, Amber, have a 6-year-old daughter named Lillian. They enjoy time at the beach, in the mountains, and especially trips to Disney World.
“ We go to Disney World three or four times a year,” he said.“ In the past five years we’ ve probably been close to 30 times.”
Danelutt also enjoys building Legos and has a substantial Lego collection.
As for the recognition as a Sports- Field Management Rising Star, Danelutt feels a sense of accomplishment at being chosen for the award.
“ My peers in this industry know the blood, the sweat, the tears, the hard times that it takes to have a facility like this,” he said.“ It’ s an honor to receive this award and for my peers to nominate me; but also this is just not an award for myself— this is an award for my staff. This facility would not be the way it is without the staff that I have. I’ m probably a little biased, but I think I have the best staff in the country.”
24 SportsField Management | October 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com