FIELD OF THE YEAR SCHOOLS AND PARKS SOFTBALL
Level and category of submission: Schools and Parks Softball
Field manager: Brett Barker
Title: Head athletic facilities groundskeeper
Education: High School diploma and sports turf management certificate
Experience: I began working in sports field management almost four years ago when our school district decided to create this new position. I currently have 10 natural grass fields and four synthetic turf fields that I oversee districtwide. I am in charge of mowing, fertilizing, spraying herbicides, irrigation, game day prep and any field maintenance repairs. I do not have any assistants on my staff. We do have a district lawn crew that will mow the junior high fields for me, but they stay off the varsity fields. I consider myself very new to the sports field management world with a lot still to learn. But I have come a long way since being hired.
Original facility construction: 2020
Turfgrass: 22 % Renegade DT tall fescue, 14.84 % Zigzag tall fescue, 13.15 % Metolius perennial ryegrass, 12.14 % Tribute II tall fescue, 9.87 % Line drive II perennial ryegrass, 9.22 % Molalla perennial ryegrass, 6.12 % Shining Star perennial ryegrass, 4.97 % Ashland Kentucky bluegrass, and 4.96 % Shamrock Kentucky bluegrass.
Overseed: I overseed after each season due to usage on the field to help repair the worn out areas in the outfield as well as the lip transitions at shortstop and between first and second base.
Rootzone: Clay loam
SportsField Management( SFM): Congratulations on the Field of the Year win. What are you most proud of with this win? Brett Barker: I think the thing that I am most proud of winning this prestigious award is being able to represent the State of Utah, Ogden School District and Ben Lomond High School. I believe Utah has some of the best sports fields in America with some of the top groundskeepers around. Looking at the history of this award across all levels— Professional, College and University, and Schools and Parks— I believe only two individuals from Utah have ever received it: Dan Farnes from Real Salt Lake and now myself. To have achieved this honor in just four short years in the sports field management industry is truly incredible and such a privilege.
12 SportsField Management | September 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com