Groundskeeper Chats

By Pioneer Athletics

For anyone who has been asked if they mow grass for a living, these conversations are for you. Join us as we explore and discuss the questions and passions of sports turf professionals while celebrat... more

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FAQs about Groundskeeper Chats:

How many episodes does Groundskeeper Chats have?

The podcast currently has 122 episodes available.

Groundskeeper Chats episodes:

October 03, 2025Live from St. Louis: Groundskeeper Chat with Maritza Martinez and Faith Holcomb
St. Louis City SC, Associate Director of Stadium Grounds, Maritza Martinez and Turf Coordinator, Faith Holcomb sat down with Meg in their grounds shop to... talk shop. The two share their turf origin stories and what has brought them to St. Louis. Here's what you'll in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:
Meet me in St. Louis
Navigating difficult conversations
Advocating for your role within an organization
Fine tuning importance
A little bit more about our guests...
Maritza Martinez is a University of Tennessee Alumni. Faith Holcomb is a Louisiana State University.
...more
42min
September 23, 2025Live from Kansas City: Groundskeeper Chat with Mira Emma and Julie Kessler
Straight out of Teal Town! Mira Emma and Julie Kessler rolled out the red carpet for Meg during her pit stop in Kansas City. The three sat down to recap their turf origin stories, discuss the culture and hype around The KC Current and the opportunities this crew are privileged to experience. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:
Pressure is a Privilege
The KC Current culture and family
The people who have played a role along the way
Digging deep and pushing through
Lastly, update on book club
A little bit more about our guests...
Mira Emma is a cyclone turf and cyclone soccer alumni before taking her talents to Kansas City as the Sports Field Manager of CPKC Stadium. Julie Kessler is a member of the inaugural Brentsville Tiger Turf program and VT turf alumni.
...more
48min
September 09, 2025Live from Wichita Kansas: Groundskeeper Chat with Ben Hartman
We squeezed in a quick game day chat with Ben Hartman, Director of Field Operations for the Wichita Wind Surge mid-season in Kansas. Ben is a friend of the series and Meg joined him and the crew for a 15 hour day, where temperatures reached the high 90's. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:
Breakdown of the season + game day
Ben and Jake's teamwork on the field
The foundation of a crew
The 1% of the 1%
A little bit more about our guest...
Ben has been with the Wichita Wind Surge for five seasons and is an alumni of Iowa Central Turfgrass Management program. Ben was recognized as one of SFMA's Rising Stars and is a passionate advocate for our industry.
...more
28min
September 03, 2025Banana Ball: Groundskeeper Chat with Trey Altman
Raymond James Stadium's Facility Manager of Grounds, Trey Altman, joins us for our Banana Ball series. Altman and the Buccaneer's crew were the first NFL stadium to host Banana Ball. Altman walks us through the rewarding experience and his career in the turf industry in this week's #GroundskeeperChat, here's what you'll hear:
Trey's turf origin story
Banana Ball
The "Off-season"
What challenges Trey is looking forward to this season
A little bit more about our guest...
Trey Altman embarked on his journey in the turf industry at Sandhills Community College before spending time on several sides of the industry. Trey has brought his experience in collegiate athletics, parks and rec, minor league baseball, field construction and golf to his position at Raymond James to better the various events, teams and games they host!
...more
32min
August 25, 2025Performing Under Pressure: Groundskeeper Chat with Max Casper
Head Groundskeeper for the Reno Aces, Max Casper, joined us mid-season to update us on his first year in the new role. A heavy events schedule and minor league baseball can be daunting but Max shares with us his keys to success. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:
Reno Aces crew update
Banana Ball
Performing under pressure
Maintaining culture and positivity during long stretches of the season
A little bit more about our guest...
Max Casper is a long-time friend of the series, Meg was one of the first people Max met after stepping off the plane and arriving to his first SFMA in Savannah. Max had been with Reno Aces for several seasons as the assistant groundskeeper before stepping in his new role as Head Groundskeeper last fall.
...more
39min
August 21, 2025Groundskeeper Chat with Paula Sliefert
We welcome Sports Field Management Association's newest CEO, Paula Sleifert, to share her vision and excitement for the new role in this week's episode. Paula comes to the role with almost 20 years of experience in our industry and a passion for driving change that makes an impact. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:
The philosophies and practices that have kept Paula rooted during major life and career changes
Advice, guidance and support Paula received during her time of transition
What excites Paula most about this new chapter
The Paula Sliefert Listening World Tour
An open invitation to members
A little bit more about our guest...
Paula Sliefert is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Sports Field Management Association and Executive Director of the Professional Football Field Managers Association. Paula spent almost 18 years in sports turf and grounds management marketing space before accepting this new role.
...more
52min
August 13, 2025 Groundskeeper Chat with Jordan Achay
the.j.sprays, Jordan Achay, joins Meg for a Groundskeeper Chat to share his turf origin story and passion for sharing the behind scenes of our industry. Jordan is California born and raised, rooted in his love for the beach and the outdoors. Full-time with the LA Chargers and his own sports field management business has given Jordan the opportunity to pack a lot of experience in the years since transitioning from baseball coach to groundskeeper. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:
- The man behind the.j.sprays
- Jordan's turf origin story
- Baseball to Groundskeeping
- Building a brand in the industry
A little bit more about our guest... What started with a flyer from a friend has led Jordan Achay to a fulfilling career in sports turf. Jordan has a masters in marketing and passion for helping build the brand of sports turf professionals with his Surface Series, episodes are available now!
...more
41min
August 11, 2025Groundskeeper Chat with Vince Jagodzinki
Stanley Black and Decker's Manager of Grounds and Field Testing, Vince Jagodzinski, brought us along for a day in his life in Valley City, Ohio! We sat down with Vince at the end of the day to hear his full turf origin story and the things that have kept him rooted in the industry since day one. Here's what you'll hear in today's #GroundskeeperChat:
A journey through Vince's career in the industry
Vince's pitch to the next generation or someone looking for their next adventure
How the turf industry has supported Vince in his career
Vince's philosophy that has kept him grounded throughout all the changes
A little bit more about our guest...
Vince Jagodzinski has spent decades in the green industry, what started as a landscape business with his brother evolved in a sports turf gig at the University level, which ultimately brought him to where he is today with Stanley Balck and Decker. Vince is an active member of PGMS and advocate for more grounds managers and crews to participate in industry associations.
...more
57min
August 06, 2025Banana Ball: Groundskeeper Chat with Adam Virant
Straight from the source! We are joined by Director of Baseball Operations for The Savannah Bananas to chat about the whirl wind journey he's had with the team and his own turf origin story. Adam shares with us ouse of his favorite memories from the road and what he hopes resonates with groundskeepers when his team is in town. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:
Adam Virant's turf origin story
The biggest curveball Banana Ball has encountered on the road
Building trust and communication with local field managers
Typical day in the life during the Banana Ball World Tour
A little bit more about our guest...
Adam Virant is a coach for the Savannah Bananas and Director of Baseball Operations. His love for the sport and dreams to join the major leagues started at a young age while being raised in Nebraska. When joining the organization he dove head first into helping with the turf and learning about the complexity of it. Virant traded in his law books for baseball glove and never looked back!
...more
39min
July 28, 2025Banana Ball: Groundskeeper Chat with Will Cole
Salem Red Sox's Director of Field Operations, Will Cole has always been on our radar and now he's making his first appearance on our Groundskeeper Chat series. Will brings vast experience to minor league baseball and has always found himself being pulled to sports turf. Will joined us days before his stadium welcomed the Banana Ball World Tour. Here's what else you'll hear on this week's episode:
How the Red Sox crew was preparing for Banana Ball
Will's turf origin story
Will's mental health journey in minor league baseball
The importance of networking and being involved in industry associations.
A little bit more about our guest...
Will Cole is the Director of Field Operations for the Salem Red Sox and President of Virginia Sports Field Management Association.
...more
58min

FAQs about Groundskeeper Chats:

How many episodes does Groundskeeper Chats have?

The podcast currently has 122 episodes available.

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