2025 RISING STAR AWARDS GAGE KNUDSON the only dedicated maintenance window, noon to 2 p. m. is LAFC second team or a Cal State men’ s team window, and then from 2:30 to 7 p. m. anywhere from three to five LAFC Academy teams train there.
“ LAFC is a very well-oiled machine,” said Knudson.“ We want to be number one on the field, and number one in the business. So that really drives the event load. Our goal is always to put out the most visually appealing and best field we possibly can. We understand that player safety is our number-one objective. Conditions are paramount and then aesthetics come 1B to us. If we can get it as a 1A, awesome, we’ re happy; but for us it’ s always about playability and safety.”
The MLS season runs from February to November— possibly even into December. And Southern California is usually the first or last stop on a tour for concerts and other events.
“ We’ re very fortunate to be in a big market that allows us to tap into an employee force here out in Southern California to mobilize if we have to flip the field over in 48 hours,” said Knudson.“ We have the resources to be able to do that. By improving our infrastructure and equipment, increasing grow lights and staffing budgets, we’ ve been able to condense that window.”
Knudson estimates that he has handled approximately 50 concerts since he has been at LAFC, and each one is different. But he is constantly learning from the process.
“ Dealing with a living plant is always challenging and no conditions are ever the same,” he said.
As part of that effort, Knudson relies on technology and data.
“ I try to use as much data as possible to make the best decisions possible,” he said.“ Rather than hoping we are making the right decision, there are pieces of equipment we can use to help guide us in the right direction. Like everything with technology and data, it’ s trying to sift through that so you’ re not getting bogged down in it.” Foremost, however, Knudson relies on his team.“ We are very fortunate to have the staff that’ s come along over the last couple of years,” he said.“ We look for people who are hardworking, passionate about what they do, and dedicated. We have
WHAT THEIR NOMINATOR HAD TO SAY:
Gage Knudson exemplifies what it means to be a rising star in sports field management. He has proven that elite field conditions and a heavy event schedule can coexist through data-driven management and innovative turf strategies. Gage’ s commitment to his staff, and ability to adapt under pressure make him an invaluable asset to the profession. His dedication, leadership and impact on the industry make him a deserving recipient of the Rising Star Award.
found success by hiring people who have those qualities and then we teach them the turfgrass side of things.
“ I’ ve been at LAFC, and I’ ve risen up from groundsman to assistant manager to senior manager,” he added.“ So I put myself in their position and I try to show them that if you are passionate about it and willing to put in the work, good things will come to you.”
Knudson learned some of those lessons from Shemesh and Sitzman, and also credits Jerad Minnick with helping to guide him on the data and analytics side of the business. He also recognizes the impact of Andre Bruce, a consultant at K-State Athletics, as well as that of his father-in-law, David Stuhlsatz, who was field manager at K-State.
He also credits advice he received from his cousin, who told him to“ find the Google of your industry, and get them on your resume.”
“ He said,‘ You’ ll look back on your career and you’ ll be really proud of what you’ ve built.’ That’ s what led me to the Red Bulls, and that’ s what led me here to LAFC.”
The people of the industry— and the people he works with— are Knudson’ s favorite part of the job.
“ It’ s like a family and those are values that are very important to me and my wife, Erica,” he said.“ At a busy facility, how do you balance a busy life? Luckily, I have a very good staff who are rock stars and we’ re able to split up the work. If we have work we need to get it done, let’ s get the work done. If we don’ t need to be here, let’ s not be here.”
Despite the challenges of the heavy event load and balancing work and life, Knudson and his wife— who are expecting their first child— enjoy spending time together at the beach or going hiking or just slow days together taking time to relax and not always be on the go.
Added Knudson,“ I’ m very fortunate to have my wife, she keeps me grounded.” sportsfieldmanagementonline. com October 2025 | SportsField Management
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