Groundskeeper Chats

Penn State's newest employee joined us in Palm Springs to talk about his major move from Texas A&M to Penn State. Chase Straw is the Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Soils at Penn State University. And a 2025 Pioneers in the Field teaser. Here's what you'll here in this #GroundskeeperChat: 

Pete Thibeault helps Meg kick off our second annual rush hour to close out the first day of podcasting from SFMA 2025 in Palm Springs. The duo invited guests to share a story, their turf origin story or their current hobby outside of the gig. Here's who you'll hear from in this #GroundskeeperChat: 

Ben Hartman, Head Groundskeeper for the Wichita Wind Surge, welcomed Jakob Scales onto his crew when he was just 16 years old and has been one of his biggest supporters ever since. After a successful year in Arizona working in both the MLB and NFL, Scales shares how important mentors have been in his trail blazing time in the industry. Here's what you'll hear from these two in this week's #GroundskeeperChat: 

How to know when it's time. Ryan DeMay and Stephen Lord recap their 2025 SFMA session in Palm Springs with Meg and Chris. Two dream job quitters talk about how scary it can be to take a bet on yourself and forge a new path. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat: 

Cohost Tyler Morris kicks off this Live SFMA episode with CJ Bucks, former Head Groundskeeper with the Philadelphia Union. Buck gives us a glimpse into the thought process that led him to take a new role on the other side of our industry and how he is navigating the new role. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode: 

MetLife Stadium Head Sports Field Manager, Tyler Morris, CSFM joins Meg and Chris to reflect on 2024 and look forward to what the World Cup will bring to New Jersey. This is Tyler's fourth GroundskeeperChat and he's welcomed back anytime! Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode: 

Tyler Carr, Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Ohio State University joins Meg for an OH-IO Groundskeeper Chat. From Palm Springs, Tyler shares with us his turf origin story, his passion for community level sports fields and data-driven sports field management. Here's what you'll hear in this episode: 

Assistant Field Manager at Arizona State University, Leah Withrow details her recent big move from Reno to Arizona. Meg, Chris and Leah talk about having confidence in your decision making and field of the year standards. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode: 

Join us for a chaotic kick off to our Live Groundskeeper Chat series live from Palm Springs. Andy Hebrard of Athletic Applications joins Meg and Chris to help paint the picture of show opening during the annual Sports Field Management Association conference. Here's what you'll hear in this episode: 

A little bit more about our guests... 

Andy Hebrard is the Owner and Operator of Athletics Applications. Andy and his crew do everything from painting to field renovations to hosting community smoke series. Andy was named a SFMA 2024 Rising Star. 

Mike Kuhn is Arizona State University's Assistant Athletic Field Manager, where he works alongside Josh Lenz, Mike Klakulak to create some our industry best field designs and conditions. ASU's football field was named a 2024 SFMA Field of the Year.