| Jeffrey Field. (Click for larger version) |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; January 29, 2007 - Jeffrey Field, the home of Nittany Lion soccer and lacrosse, has been honored as the 2006 Collegiate Soccer Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA). The prestigious award was presented to Penn State's Bob Hudzik, Athletic Field Supervisor, and Herb Combs, Assistant Field Supervisor, at the recent STMA 18th Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas.
"This award is an honor for the University, Intercollegiate Athletics, and Jeffrey Field, but most importantly it brings recognition to our grounds crew for their continual efforts to provide the best playing surfaces for the athletes here at Penn State."
Sharing the honor with Hudzik and Combs are tech-service employees Mark Kresovich (Group Leader), Paul Curtis, Clarence Lohr (Mechanic), Bill Stoner, Rod Hockenberry, Chad Alterio, Doug Rosefsky, and a group of dedicated student assistants.
A total of 11 STMA Field of the Year winners were honored during the association's annual awards banquet. A panel of five judges independently scored each entry based on the playability and appearance of the playing surfaces, innovative solutions employed, effective use of budget, and the development and implementation of a comprehensive, sound agronomic program.
"Judging the award winners was tough," said Steve LeGros, STMA Awards Committee Chairman. "We had many excellent applicants with high quality sports fields."
"The Field of the Year Award validates the great work of our members," said Kim Heck, CEO of the Sports Turf Managers Association. "This honor is one of only a handful that the association awards to recognize quality sports field management. The experience and expertise of Penn State's grounds crew is definitely reflected in the award-winning playing conditions of Jeffrey Field."
Jeffrey Field, originally constructed in 1969, is named after the late Bill Jeffrey, legendary coach of the Nittany Lion soccer team from 1926 through 1952. In 2006, the playing surface held up superbly under the strain of over 50 home sporting events and a wide array of weather conditions and despite a number of limits and challenges related to drainage and irrigation, thanks to the efforts and skill of the grounds crew.