FIELD OF THE YEAR SCHOOLS AND PARKS FOOTBALL
Miller : There are some students that I would put up against any professional in the industry — their skill set and what they ’ ve accomplished . They ’ ve spent years on golf courses and sports fields that are not ours , accumulating their knowledge and skills .
When it comes to losing people at that level , we wish they could come back . But what ’ s great about our setup is that I understand what ’ s coming , so I ’ m constantly trying to prepare kids .
I have a student who just graduated , and I can ’ t count how many hours he spent with me outside of the school day or over the summer to get the fields ready . Summer is the hardest time when we talk about green grass and making sure it ’ s ready for the fall . I do a lot of work on my own , but a lot of it ’ s not by myself . When we talk about fertility , aerating and things that require a lot of time , there ’ s usually a group of six to 10 that go above all else .
Our athletic director has been crucial in making sure that we have what we need . It ’ s his facility and we are maintaining it , but he will give all the recognition to me and my students . I would never be able to do it without him .
INSIGHTS FROM BRENTSVILLE STUDENTS AND COACHES
“ It took a lot of time , effort and teamwork to provide an award-winning field that is safe for our athletes and presentable for our audience . I try my best to ensure everyone on our crew is on track and understands the objective of creating something we can all appreciate because we ’ re in the business of making memories . A highlight of this year was when Dr . Miller had to present at a conference the week of a home game , and I was left at the helm with our leadership team ; we were able to produce the final product with little to no guidance , which is what this program is all about . I have found my passion in life in this program , and I am excited to pursue a dual degree in mechanical engineering and turfgrass management to develop the next generation of equipment for the industry .”
– Zach Sedmak , program vice president 2024
“ Working on the Field of the Year taught me the value of dedication , patience and a deeper appreciation for the effort it takes to ensure the safety of athletes . All of my time in the Brentsville Turf program has prepared me for the next step in my journey as a student in the NC State Turfgrass Management program .”
– Jack Cundiff , vice president 2024
“ I would be happy taking care of any field , but putting in all the work throughout the year and being blessed with an amazing award is the best feeling in the world that our hard work pays off in the end .”
– Kat Lambert , president 2025
“ Under the guidance of Dr . Drew Miller and his program , our football fields have been meticulously maintained to enhance their appearance and optimize our performance . Our teams can take the field with confidence each week , knowing that the conditions are always top-notch . This has undoubtedly played a significant role in our program ’ s success over the years . We often receive compliments from opposing coaches about the quality of our facilities , and it ’ s clear that they appreciate playing here — perhaps even more than playing against us .”
– Loren White , head football coach
“ Maintaining our field at Brentsville this year was fun ; I learned so much about field management and using equipment I didn ’ t even know was needed . I ’ ve been blessed the last couple of years playing on such a great field , which made me want to take a class to learn more about it . Playing on our field took home-field advantage to a different level . We had 10 home games , which is insane , and in each game the field felt better than the week before . This year , for the first time ever , we hosted a state game at home in December , and the field played better than it did in August . We did a lot of work during the week to get it to that level , including Dr . Miller staying after hours to get it to perfection .”
– Caleb Alexander , All-State quarterback and turf student
14 SportsField Management | September 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com