Groundskeeper Chats

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Darren Criswell

Every career has an origin story.

Live from the SFMA conference, Sports Turf Manager Darren Criswell shares how a part-time job at a spring training facility sparked a lifelong career in sports turf management. Along the way, we talk mentorship, leadership, earning a seat at the table, and why the toughest days often build the strongest teams. What you'll hear on this week's #GroundskeeperChat:

• Darren's turf origin story
• The mentors who shaped his career
• Leadership lessons learned through experience
• Why finding a hobby outside of work is key to avoiding burnout

A little bit more about our guest...

Criswell was previously the Sports Turf Manager at University of Arizona before taking his new role as the Associate Director of Grounds, Landscape and Recycling at San Jose State University.

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Ryan Lefler

Ryan Lefler, Field Superintendent for the Worcester Red Sox, joined Meg in Fort Worth share his unconventional path into professional baseball, the power of building a strong grounds crew culture, and how creativity has helped showcase the profession through social media. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:

• Field maintenance to marathon training
• The realities of Minor League Baseball
• The importance of hiring good people
• How social media has helped bring a spotlight to our industry

A little bit more about our guest...

Ryan Lefler is the Head Field Superintendent for the Worcester Red Sox (WooSox), where he leads the team responsible for maintaining Polar Park.

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Marcus Elswick

Marcus Elswick brought an audience and Kentucky pride to his Groundskeeper Chat in Fort Worth. Marcus and Meg caught up since their chat in 2024 and talked about the impact of being involved at the national and local levels of SFMA. Here's what you'll hear in this week's chat:

• Life updates with Marcus
• Kentucky Branch of SFMA
• University of Kentucky updates
• Marcus and his crew

A little bit more about our guest...

Marcus Elswick is the Head Sports Field Manager at The University of Kentucky, where he has worked for over 15 years. Elswick is also the Secretary/Treasurer for the Kentucky Sports Field Management Association.

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Sarah Martin

City of Phoenix's, Sarah Martin, stopped by our booth at the Sports Field Management Conference to catch up and conduct our year in review. Sarah and Meg focused on the importance of community and how organizations like SMFA can play a pivotal role in someone's career and life.

 

A little bit more about our guest...

Sarah Martin is a Park Supervisor for the City of Phoenix Parks and Rec in the Water Management Department.

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Larry DiVito

Minnesota Twins Head Groundskeeper, Larry DiVito joins us for his second Groundskeeper Chat at SFMA in Fort Worth. Larry joined us to recount his shock at winning the 2025 Dick Erickson Award the previous year and how he was preparing for his big speech! Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:

• SFMA Annual Awards
• Reflecting on his career
• His crew and culture
• What's Next?

A little bit more about our guest...

Larry DiVito has been with the Minnesota Twins since 2009 and was one of Pioneer Athletics 2024 Pioneers in the Field.

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Bryan Sheetz

Bryan Sheetz left behind the classroom for the week during the SFMA conference and joined Meg for his first Groundskeeper Chat. Sheetz is the Landscaping & Turf Management Teacher at Thomas Dale High School  in Chester, VA. Here's what you'll hear on this week's #GroundskeeperChat: 

• One Man Band Bryan Sheetz 
• Branding + Social Media + New Gen. 
• SFMA National Field of the Year 
• Turf credentials for high school students 
• Landscape side gig to sports turf to Thomas Dale Turf Program 

A little bit more about our guest... 
Bryan Sheetz pioneered the school's first turf management program starting 5 years ago. After teaching elementary music teacher for 19 years, Sheetz pivoted to Thomas Dale High Turf. 

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Jared Olson

Howdy! Arizona born and raised, Jared Olson has traveled the world through turf and now calls Texas home. Jared is the Director of Grounds with Austin FC and joined Meg in Fort Worth for his first #GroundskeeperChat. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode: 

• The Olson Turf Origin Story 
• The many walks of life within the turf industry 
• What makes Austin FC home 
• MLS Grounds Crew of the Year + MLS Best Field 
• Soccer in 2026! 

Jared Olson is the Director of Grounds with Austin FC but has had his foot in every corner of the industry, soccer, football, baseball, track, field construction and more! 

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Sun Roesslein

Fan favorite and Certified Sports Field Manager, Sun Roesslein joins Meg in Fort Worth during the SFMA annual conference to pick up where the two left off. Sun shares an exciting career update while diving into the power of networking, community, and navigating career transitions in the sports turf industry. Here's what you'll hear on this week's #GroundskeeperChat:

• Our reoccurring Weston Appelfeller plug 
• The strength of networking and community 
• Career changes + transitions 
• Denver Summit FC 

A little bit more about our guest... 
Sun Roesslein is the Director of Grounds for the Denver Summit FC, SFMA Past President and long-time advocate for the sports turf industry. 

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Leah Withrow and Mike Kuhn

Our annual catch up with one of our favorite Arizona duos, Leah and Mike from ASU! The pair joins us to recap some of the 2025 season highlights and a look at what's coming down the line. Here's what you'll hear in this week's SFMA episode: 

• ASU's football season highlights 
• Crew culture and morale 
• Softball season outlook 

A little bit more about our guests... 
Leah Withrow is an Assistant Field Manager at Arizona State University overseeing the softball complex. Mike Kuhn is an Assistant Field Manager at Arizona State University overseeing football, soccer and lacrosse. 

Live from Fort Worth: Groundskeeper Chat with Troy Crawford

Troy Crawford joined us in his home state to update us on his next adventure! With more than 30 years of experience with teams like the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and FC Dallas, Troy is bringing his talents to the new Texas Health Mansfield Stadium as their Director of Grounds. Here's what you'll hear from our latest SFMA episode:

- Troy's Turf Origin Story

- 30 years with some of the Texas greats

- What's next?

- Troy's turf family tree

A little bit more about our guests...

Troy Crawford led the Moneygram Soccer Park as the Director of Grounds before taking his latest gig with Texas Health Mansfield Stadium. Crawford has been a fixture in the Texas turfgrass industry and at the national level for decades and continues to make an impact through mentorship, innovation and passion.