SportsField Management Podcast

This episode of the SportsField Management podcast welcomes one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. Gold medalist in the decathlon at the 1996 Olympic Games, Dan O'Brien remains deeply involved in the sport as a broadcaster, coach and motivational speaker. O’Brien now serves as a track and field performance consultant for Ecore Athletic, where he helps advance the company's work in track-and-field through product development, education and outreach to coaches, athletes and facilities.

This edition of the podcast welcomes Jim Puhalla, Dr. Jeff Krans and Dr. Mike Goatley to discuss the fourth edition of their book, “Sports Fields: Design, Construction, and Maintenance.” The conversation details the long and storied history of this resource for the sports field management industry, as well as updates the new edition has to offer for today’s sports field management professional. 

On this edition of the podcast, SportsField Management magazine Editor John Kmitta was joined at SFMA Conference by Jake Mays, K-12 Schools Director on the SFMA Board of Directors. The two discussed the biggest challenges for K-12 members, as well as the keys to proper communication with athletic directors, school officials, parents and other stakeholders. They also delve into turfgrass education at the high school level, as well as raising awareness of the sports field management profession.

On this edition of the podcast, SportsField Management magazine Editor John Kmitta was joined at SFMA Conference by Zack Holm, CSFM, turf care manager for Central Park Conservancy in New York City, and former parks and recreation director on the SFMA Board of Directors. The discussion examined association initiatives for the parks and recreation industry, parks and recreation challenges, raising awareness of the role sports field managers play in parks and recreation, and much more.

On this edition of the podcast, SportsField Management magazine Editor John Kmitta was joined at SFMA Conference by SFMA Vice President – Commercial, Matt Duncan, CSFM, professional turf account manager for DLF. The conversation explored initiatives for commercial members, challenges in the marketplace, and the trend of sports field managers moving from the practitioner side of the business to the commercial/sales side.

FIFA Senior Pitch Management Manager Alan Ferguson joined SportsField Management magazine Editor John Kmitta at SFMA Conference to discuss World Cup 26, the importance of information sharing in the sports field management industry, the lasting impact of turfgrass research, and even looked ahead to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

On this edition of the podcast, SportsField Management magazine Editor John Kmitta is joined at SFMA Conference by Dr. Chase Straw, Penn State Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Soils and Director of the Center for Sports Surface Research. The conversation examines industry initiatives, turfgrass education, research, and much more.

On this episode of the podcast, we meet with Sports Field Management Association leadership, as we are joined by SFMA CEO Paula Sliefert, SFMA Immediate Past President Adam Thoms, Ph.D., and SFMA President Alpha Jones, CSFM. The three share with us insight based on the SFMA listening tour, the state of the association and an overview of upcoming initiatives.

Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), located in Walnut, California, has a history of success in the SFMA Student Challenge, including sweeping first, second and third place in the 2-year category at the 2025 Student Challenge. On this episode of the SportsField Management Podcast, we speak with Dr. Chaz Perea, professor of Horticultural Science and co-chair of Agriculture Science at Mt. SAC, about that success, the turf management degree and certificate options at Mt. SAC, and much more.  

Meet Rising Star Award winner Jake Mays, director of grounds at the Westminster School. Mays was nominated by his peers for the positive impact he has had on his community and on the sports field management industry. 

The Rising Star Awards program is proudly sponsored by STEC Equipment. Please visit StecEquipment.com for more information.