OFFICERS

President: Adam Thoms, Ph. D.

Immediate Past President: Sun Roesslein, CSFM

President Elect: Alpha Jones, CSFM

Secretary-Treasurer: Casey Carrick, CSFM

Vice President Commercial: Erin Wilder

Directors

Academic: Chase Straw, Ph. D.

At-Large( elected): Weston Floyd, CSFM

At-Large( appointed): Lee Van Meeteren

Commercial: Matthew Duncan, CSFM

Higher Education: Jason DeMink, CSFM

Parks and Recreation: Zack Holm, CSFM

Professional Facilities: Mitch Hooten

Schools K-12: Jake Mays

SFMA OFFICE P. O. Box 1673 Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 800-323-3875 Email: SFMAInfo @ SportsFieldManagement. org www. sportsfieldmanagement. org

SFMA EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Chair: Joe Churchill Vice Chair: Brad Thedens, CSFM Board Liaison: Chase Straw, Ph. D. Members: C. J. Buck; Paul Hollis; Rebecca Knapp, CSFM; Eric Roberts, CSFM; Jack Stelter; and Aaron Tipton

It’ s hard to realize that fall is already here. It seems like summer just began. For me, it is a time when the students come back after their internships from throughout the country and they share all the exciting— and not-so-exciting— tasks they completed during the summer.

It is also a time when I ask them to reflect on what they learned over the summer. Did they see things they didn’ t expect; or perhaps did they take part in a job that they didn’ t understand why it was being done?

I always follow up by asking them to dig deeper to find out why they did that job. Learning why a task is carried out is very important so that you know the reason you’ re doing that task— especially if you are newer to the workforce.

But this goes beyond just the newest members of the workforce. Sports field managers who ask questions and reach out to their own networks tend to have the best plans. Being prepared for what might happen often results in the best outcomes.

Other sports field managers have probably been there and seen what is new to you, so use them to understand what you are doing. Asking questions and bouncing ideas off of more experienced sports field managers is a great way to gain experience without having to go through it first.

I encourage all of you to grow your networks this upcoming year. Talk to a new face at a workshop or sit at a new table of people at the SFMA Annual Conference and Exhibition. A strong local and national network is key to success of most sports field managers.

I’ m no exception; this past year I have enjoyed meeting so many of you and learning how each of you manage your fields and crews. SFMA’ s commercial members also have a ton of experience, so don’ t forget them as excellent resources. I have been able to grow my network locally, regionally, nationally; and I have truly enjoyed that.

This fall and winter, as continuing education in classrooms and at tradeshows resumes, don’ t be a stranger and introduce yourself to others. Then stay in touch with those people after the event, and don’ t be afraid to reach out to ask their opinions on various management topics.

– Adam Thoms, Ph. D.

Adam Thoms, Ph. D. SFMA President athoms @ iastate. edu sportsfieldmanagementonline. com September 2025 | SportsField Management

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