Groundskeeper Chats

Jill Seymour, CGCS is the Superintendent at Charleston Springs South Course in New Jersey and one of the founding members of the Women in Turf Team. Jill and Meg waste no time catching up in this week's episode, where they touch on everything from the Women's Leadership Academy, Jill's 20 years in the industry and their current reading wish list. Here's what you'll hear in this #GroundskeeperChat:...

This episode is brought to you in two separate parts, beginning with the end of our Palm Springs show and then a few weeks later Meg and Mira pick the mics back up to finish our conversation. We kick off with a special cameo featuring Max Casper of the Reno Aces and then deep dive into a fascinating story of athlete turned groundskeeper with Mira Emma. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #Groun...

Texas neighbors and University CSFMs, Brad Finn and Nick McKenna joined cohost Tyler Morris and Meg Kruger for a jam-packed Groundskeeper Chat. The duo reflected on their individual success this past years and the times they've been able to team up to help out industry peers and promote our industry. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:  Converting Kyle Field to host MLS and...

The Doctors are in! Lisa Goatley and Mike Goatley, Ph. D are back to share a recap from their 2025 SFMA sessions. Don't miss this insightful episode into how we can be our true, authentic selves in the green industry. Here's what you'll hear in this #GroundskeeperChat: - Soft skills and self awareness - Trauma bonding - Work/life balance - Being vulnerable and the shared human experience A little...

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:  FFA College Bowl  Paths to Turfgrass for our Next Generation  Turfgrass 101 curriculum  The reward of be...

Our lead off hitter for day 2, Chrissie Segars joins us to catch up and reminisce on the beginning of our Groundskeeper Chat series. Chrissie is the West Research Scientist at PBI Gordon Corporation. Chrissie reflects on where she's been and her current adventure. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episode:  Meg and Chrissie's Trip Advisor Review  The world behind turf research  Academia vs Re...

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:  Pure Seed's Crystal Rose Fricker  Father and Son Duo, Matt and Conor Duncan  Neilsen Mafia Members,...

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 #Grounds...

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:  Leaving when you're on top  Calling your own shot  Seeing more for yourself and future  Building your timeline 

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:  CJ's Turf Origin Story  Name drop pile up!  Confidence in your decisions a...

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:  World Cup Outlook  Industry Support  Jam-packed calendar of events  Life outside of the field 

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:  Having an Impact via Academia  Tyler's Extension Appointment  Passion for Community Level Sports...

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:  Leaving Home for ASU  Establishing trust in a new organization  The diversity of University groundskeeping   Mentor shout out  14...

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:  2024 Year in Review for Athletic Applications  2025 Trade Show Opening  Special Guest: Mike Kuhn fr...

Co-hosts Meg Kruger and Chris Bell sit down in Cleveland to recap the 2025 Sports Field Management Association Conference in Palm Springs. We invited several guests to our Groundskeeper Chat podcast series over the course of two days on the trade show floor. The pair give a glimpse into what listeners can expect to be release over the next 2 months.  14 Live from Palm Springs Groundskeeper Chat ep...

Denver Broncos' Director of Turf and Grounds at Empower Field at Mile High, Chris Hathaway sat down with Meg for our latest Groundskeeper Chat episode. Meg, Chris and guest cohost, Daniel were able to meet in-person for this special episode. The trio covered everything from Chris' turf origin story to the data he collects to help justify his bottom line. 

Thank you to all everyone who listened along to our Groundskeeper Chat series in 2024! As we look forward to welcoming new guests in 2025, here is a look back at some of our highlights from this past year! This Year in Review episode features clips from the following episodes:  Tyler Morris, Performing Under Pressure Ryan DeMay, Ballfields on a Budget  Ryan Bjorn, The Future of Sports Turf  Andy O...

Josh Lenz is a graduate from Iowa State University, where turf first came on his radar. After working on Tim Van Loo's crew Lenz found himself interning with the NFL and meeting ASU legend, Brian Johnson. Lenz has been with ASU for six years, where he shares his experiences in earning a seat at the table for himself and his crew.

Our next guest, Colin Boak, is the Facility Manager with Legacy Center in Brighton Michigan. Colin joined us to share how turf came on his radar and what made him ultimately choose the career. Colin shared with us the exciting future he foresees at Legacy and all the building blocks that have made that future possible.

Arizona State University's Assistant Manager of Athletics Grounds, Mike Kuhn's Routes to Turf is far from traditional. While attending grad school, Kuhn simultaneously enrolled in a turf program at a local community college. For Kuhn turf and agriculture were always on his radar, listen to this week's Groundskeeper Chat to hear how turf became his career.

Brian McDougal is a proud MSU turf program graduate and current keeper of the keys for Spartan Stadium. McDougal's past and present turf stories take place at Michigan State University where he is the Assistant Sports Field Manager today. After being an eager student intern at MSU, McDougal left to pursue a few other gigs before returning in 2021 to work on the stadium crew under Andy McNitt. McDo...

Sod Solutions Professional, Craig Potts joins us to share his Routes to Turf story and all that in-between. Texas born and raised much of Craig's story takes place at Kyle Field in College Station. Don't miss a minute of this legendary story, here's what you'll hear on this week's #GroundskeeperChat!

Director of Operations for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Alpha Jones, CSFM, joins us for the first time to share his route to turf story. Jones is a passionate advocate for inspiring the next generation to consider turf as a career option and helping current groundskeepers develop professionally. Here's what you'll hear in this week's #GroundskeeperChat:  Gardening - to -  Landscaping - to - Groun...

Imagine being responsible for one of the world's most iconic parks. The park that serves as a backdrop to the life-long memories made for over 42 million guests a year! Zach Holm, CSFM,  Turf Care Manager of Central Park Conservancy in New York City says he's in the business of helping make memories. In this week's #GroundskeeperChat we discover how Zach's career brought him to NYC and the iconic...

Industry and Tampa Bay legend Wayne Ward takes us back to the beginning of his career and updates our listeners on what retirement has looked like. Hint, hint, his latest gig has kept him living in the fast lane! Here's what you'll hear in our newest Routes to Turf #GroundskeeperChat:  Ag teacher turned turf professional  30 years in Tampa Bay  Wayne reflects on the elements of the industry that k...