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PROBLEM: Grey material on the field near stands

TURFGRASS AREA: College football stadium

LOCATION: Gainesville, Florida

TURFGRASS VARIETY: 419 Bermudagrass

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The grey material on this college stadium football field is something that many college and professional football stadiums deal with from time to time. As many of you know, the word“ fan” is short for“ fanatic,” which comes from the Latin“ fanaticus,” meaning“ inspired by a deity” or“ frenzied.” Some lifelong football fans, upon passing away, ask relatives to spread their ashes on the football field as the final request. According to the sports field manager, this happens fairly often and without any communication; the ashes just show up on the stadium field. He said it’ s pretty common to find them in the center of the field or other areas of the field. However, along the wall is most common because the friend or family member can spread the ashes without actually jumping the wall and coming onto field. The sports field manager takes it in stride as part of the position, and said that they“ don’ t ever remove the ashes, as I feel like that’ s going against people’ s wishes.” He added,“ After irrigation, we just basically go about our business. My theory is people know where they are placing the ashes.”

Photo taken by John Mascaro. Story told by Jason Smith, director of sports turf at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and winner of the 2014 STMA College Football Field of the Year Award.

John Mascaro is president of Turf-Tec International

If you would like to submit a photograph for John Mascaro’ s Photo Quiz, please send a high-resolution digital photo to John Mascaro at john @ turf-tec. com. If your photograph is selected, you will receive full credit. All photos become property of SportsField Management magazine and the Sports Field Management Association.