Groundskeeper Chats

Earning a Seat at the Table: Groundskeeper Chat with Chris Hathaway

Denver Broncos' Director of Turf and Grounds at Empower Field at Mile High, Chris Hathaway sat down with Meg for our latest Groundskeeper Chat episode. Meg, Chris and guest cohost, Daniel were able to meet in-person for this special episode. The trio covered everything from Chris' turf origin story to the data he collects to help justify his bottom line. 

Year in Review: Groundskeeper Chat with Meg Kruger and Chris Bell

Thank you to all everyone who listened along to our Groundskeeper Chat series in 2024! As we look forward to welcoming new guests in 2025, here is a look back at some of our highlights from this past year! This Year in Review episode features clips from the following episodes: 

• Tyler Morris, Performing Under Pressure
• Ryan DeMay, Ballfields on a Budget 
• Ryan Bjorn, The Future of Sports Turf 
• Andy Ommen, Building a Brand 
• Zach Holm, Routes to Turf 
• Josh Lenz, Earning a Seat at the Table 

 

Earning a Seat at the Table: Groundskeeper Chat with Josh Lenz

Josh Lenz is a graduate from Iowa State University, where turf first came on his radar. After working on Tim Van Loo's crew Lenz found himself interning with the NFL and meeting ASU legend, Brian Johnson. Lenz has been with ASU for six years, where he shares his experiences in earning a seat at the table for himself and his crew.

Routes to Turf: Groundskeeper Chat with Colin Boak

Our next guest, Colin Boak, is the Facility Manager with Legacy Center in Brighton Michigan. Colin joined us to share how turf came on his radar and what made him ultimately choose the career. Colin shared with us the exciting future he foresees at Legacy and all the building blocks that have made that future possible.

Routes to Turf: Groundskeeper Chat with Mike Kuhn

Arizona State University's Assistant Manager of Athletics Grounds, Mike Kuhn's Routes to Turf is far from traditional. While attending grad school, Kuhn simultaneously enrolled in a turf program at a local community college. For Kuhn turf and agriculture were always on his radar, listen to this week's Groundskeeper Chat to hear how turf became his career.

Routes to Turf: Groundskeeper Chat with Brian McDougal

Brian McDougal is a proud MSU turf program graduate and current keeper of the keys for Spartan Stadium. McDougal's past and present turf stories take place at Michigan State University where he is the Assistant Sports Field Manager today. After being an eager student intern at MSU, McDougal left to pursue a few other gigs before returning in 2021 to work on the stadium crew under Andy McNitt. McDougal shares the full story in this week's Routes to Turf #GroundskeeperChat

Routes to Turf: Groundskeeper Chat with Craig Potts

Sod Solutions Professional, Craig Potts joins us to share his Routes to Turf story and all that in-between. Texas born and raised much of Craig's story takes place at Kyle Field in College Station. Don't miss a minute of this legendary story, here's what you'll hear on this week's #GroundskeeperChat!

Routes to Turf: Groundskeeper Chat with Alpha Jones

Director of Operations for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Alpha Jones, CSFM, joins us for the first time to share his route to turf story. Jones is a passionate advocate for inspiring the next generation to consider turf as a career option and helping current groundskeepers develop professionally. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat: 

• Gardening - to -  Landscaping - to - Groundskeeper of the Year 
• The mentors, peers and friends who changed the game along the way 
• "more than grass" and what's to come

 

Routes to Turf: Groundskeeper Chat with Zach Holm

Imagine being responsible for one of the world's most iconic parks. The park that serves as a backdrop to the life-long memories made for over 42 million guests a year! Zach Holm, CSFM,  Turf Care Manager of Central Park Conservancy in New York City says he's in the business of helping make memories. In this week's #GroundskeeperChat we discover how Zach's career brought him to NYC and the iconic Central Park!

Routes to Turf: Groundskeeper Chat with Wayne Ward

Industry and Tampa Bay legend Wayne Ward takes us back to the beginning of his career and updates our listeners on what retirement has looked like. Hint, hint, his latest gig has kept him living in the fast lane! Here's what you'll hear in our newest Routes to Turf #GroundskeeperChat: 

• Ag teacher turned turf professional 
• 30 years in Tampa Bay 
• Wayne reflects on the elements of the industry that kept him going 
• Retirement: far from it! 
• Lastly, the latest update from the designer of the Wayne Ward Collection