January 2010 Archives

Penn State Turfgrass Science Students take first in both 4-yr and 2-yr division in the Sixth annual STMA Student Challenge in Orlando FL in January 2010. The awards are presented in partnership with the SAFE Foundation and Hunter Industries. Hunter Industries' continued sponsorship picks up the tab for all Student Challenge competitors' STMA Conference registration. Through the generosity of SAFE, the Student Challenge provides the winning two-year team and the winning four-year team each with a $4,000 grant to fund a practical learning lab at their college or university. See the previous blog posting for information on how the students used last years winnings.
 
Matt Naedel team captain in prior years now coaches the students as they prepare for the exam. The teams start in September and meet two evenings per week to study such things as irrigation, calibration, turfgrass and pest ID and control. Varying turfgrass professors and industry representatives provide guest lectures. Naedel notes, "The students put in a lot of their own time. They are very dedicated and work very hard and I give them all the credit." The students would also like to thank those that took time out of their schedule to help prepare them for the competition: Dr. Andrew McNitt, Dr. Peter Landschoot, Dr. Max Schlossberg, Dr. Al Jarret, Ms. Dianne Petrunak, Mr. Steve LeGros, Mr. Jeff Borger, Mr. Matt Naedel, Mr. Matt Neri, Dr. Al Turgeon, Dr. Dave Huff, and Mr. Danny Kline.

Andy McNitt faculty advisor for the teams says "Naedel sets the tone and does a massive amount of organization. He was on three competitive teams in the past and knows what it takes to be successful. He does a great job instilling that drive in the students."

Penn State was able to take 16 students to the national STMA conference in Orlando due in large part to the generosity of TORO and the Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization both of which donated funds toward the student's travel expenses. Students were able to take advantage of many activities specifically geared to them including a student forum, student lunch, and many educational sessions.

Four Penn State Competitive Teams at 2010 STMA Conference in Orlando FL. Back Row: George Peters, Niels Dokkuma, Adrien Van Dyk, Chuck Roman, Kyle Hivner, Robert Doody, Dan Sidle, Dan McGinley, JoLynda Rolli, and Julie Adamski. Front Row: Alex Steinman, Sean Kearney, James Cross, Nick Gialloreta, and Brandon Cable.

 

In addition to their $4,000 grant, the two first place teams will also have their team name etched in the traveling Student Challenge Cup; receive replicas of the Cup and individual medals; and provide an article to be presented in an official STMA publication. Second and Third place winners received plaques and medals.
 
Penn State has faired well in the competition since it's inception in 2005. This represents a three-peat in the 4-yr division. "The point difference between 1st and 5th place is very small. "We've been fortunate the past few years, the competition is tough, what's great though is the overall camaraderie among the students from different schools!" said Naedel.

Students Celebrate Victory!

History of Competition:

4-Year Division

2010 - 1st Penn State, 2nd Purdue, 3rd Purdue
2009 - 1st Penn State, 2nd Univ. of Tennessee, 3rd Penn State
2008 - 1st Penn State, 2nd Iowa State, 3rd Iowa State
2007 - 1st Univ. or Tennessee, 2nd Iowa State, 3rd Penn State
2006 - 1st Purdue, 2nd Univ. of Florida, 3rd Penn State
2005 - 1st Penn State, 2nd Iowa State, 3rd Colorado State

2-Year Division

2010 - 1st Penn State, 2nd Virginia Tech., 3rd Kirkwood C.C.
2009 - 1st Mt. San Antonio College, 2nd Penn State, 3rd Mt. San Antonio College
2008 - 1st Penn State, 2nd Michigan State, 3ed Mt. San Antonio College
2007 - 1st Mt. San Antonio College, 2nd Mt. San Antonio College

Little Leaguers will be playing ball on new and improved fields this spring thanks to the efforts of Penn State Turfgrass Science students who won $4,000 last year in a national SportsTurf Managers Association competition. The team was coached by Mr. Matt Naedel, research associate in the Penn State Turfgrass Project.

The students donated their winnings and worked alongside Mr. Matt Neri, groundskeeper for the State College Spikes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' single-A affiliate, to overhaul two fields near Centre Hall on an October Saturday. The crews spread a new infield mix and installed clay bricks below the pitcher's landing area and batter's and catcher's boxes. They set new pitching rubbers and bases, reshaped the infield and fertilized the outfield.

The students also repainted foul lines using donated equipment from Doug Shattinger of Pioneer Paint. Mark Dargay from E.H. Griffith of Pittsburgh and Valley Ag and Turf of Centre Hall provided equipment for the day. Other items were supplied by Steve Legros of Turf and Dirt!

The Red Bulls announced they have named Dan Shemesh its director of grounds. Shemesh will be responsible for the full oversight and performance for the club's field maintenance, which includes all playing surfaces at Red Bull Arena and the proposed Red Bull training grounds. 



Shemesh spent the last seven years working as the sports field manager for the Philadelphia Eagles. He oversaw the team's grounds crew, was responsible for the upkeep for all practice fields and helped manage several sporting and non-sporting events.



He also has worked for the Philadelphia Phillies, New England Patriots andNew England Revolution. Shemesh attended Penn State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Management in 2003. He is a member of the Sports Turf Managers Association and Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council.