Sportsfield Management September 2024 | Page 11

FIELD OF THE YEAR SCHOOLS AND PARKS FOOTBALL
The Brentsville Turfgrass Management Program has developed some of the best natural grass playing surfaces in the United States . But the goal is not to be the best , it is to have the safest playing surface possible for our athletes while being environmental stewards for our community . These young sports field managers develop the strategic plan for all cultural practices while developing their industry skills and learning firsthand what it takes to be an industry professional . These fields are the students ’ living laboratories where they learn how to properly maintain the turfgrass for the art and the science behind best management practices . Students in the program want to go above and beyond in every aspect of field management . The students ’ strong work ethic and dedication to their craft have led the charge in executing all of the necessary management practices to create the best natural grass playing surface in the country .
Northern Virginia presents some challenges for our program with its unique climate . From the hot , humid summers to the ice-cold winters , we utilize innovative techniques to combat these conditions to maintain the best playing surface possible for the safety of our athletes . The most challenging aspect of our location in the transition zone is that we don ’ t have consistent weather from year to year , so a practice that we used one year might be obsolete the following year . For example , we had an extremely mild start to the summer where we did not see a 90-degree day until the July 4 weekend . Through the use of growth covers and topdressing , we raised the temperature of the surface to aid the lateral growth of the bermudagrass . Using diagnostic tools , we were able to schedule the best growing schedule to ensure the peak performance of the turfgrass .
Sports field managers throughout the country understand the challenges that each day brings . Our students are experiencing that for the first time in their careers . They are developing their abilities as problem solvers through critical thinking to produce a plan that they execute through a collaborative effort .
Webster ’ s definition of work ethic is “ a belief in work as a moral good : a set of values centered on the importance of doing work and reflected especially in a desire or determination to work hard .” The passion and heart of our leadership group are unparalleled , and no one is more deserving of this highest honor .
— Drew Miller , Ph . D ., program director sportsfieldmanagementonline . com September 2024 | SportsField Management
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