PERSPECTIVES
We wanted to use the TurfRad in an athletic field setting, where within-field moisture variability can raise playability and safety concerns. Stadium structures presented challenges, as the roof interfered with the radiometer and affected soil moisture readings. Dr. Straw came for a short visit in July, and we collected data to evaluate how the TurfRad’ s soil moisture readings, when mounted at various angles to minimize roof interference, compared with ground-truth measurements from a TDR, Clegg hammer, NDVI meter, as well as surface temperature readings.
In June, I had the honor of presenting some of the work I had done so far during the Mo-Kan SFMA Summer Field Day, hosted at CPKC Stadium. My 45-minute presentation, titled“ The Science Behind the Pitch: Surface Testing at CPKC Stadium and Training Grounds” was displayed on the stadium’ s video board, which was surreal. Sharing my work with professionals in the sports field management industry was one of the highlights of my summer.
Just when I thought my summer in KC couldn’ t get any better, KC Current acquired another professional women’ s soccer team from Denmark called HB Køge. It just so happens that Emma Pelkowski, one of my former teammates( and best friends) from Virginia Tech is on that team. HB Køge spent a week training at the facility and even scrimmaged the KC Current. I was so grateful the KC Current reunited me with a friend I hadn’ t seen in a while. Experiences like that, and people like her, are why I love being a graduate student and am so passionate about researching athletesurface interactions.
Overall, my time with the KC Current grounds crew was everything I hoped it would be and more. I’ m so thankful for the opportunity to learn from some of the best sports field managers in the industry. From collecting data, mowing, painting, aerating, rolling, spraying and spreading to joking around with the rest of the crew, this summer was one I’ ll always cherish.
Ava Veith is a graduate research assistant at Virginia Tech, and a former Division I soccer player at Virginia Tech.
Ava Veith( left) and Emma Pelkowski, both former teammates on the Virginia Tech Women’ s Soccer team, reuniting after the HB Køge versus KC Current scrimmage.
KC Current grounds crew members( left to right) Mira Emma, Trina Strayer, Julie Kessler( also a former Hokie) and Ava Veith after the Premier Lacrosse League game on July 4.
32 SportsField Management | September 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com