SFMA honors 2024 Field of the Year winners

February 19, 2025 - By Rob DiFranco

The Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) — a non-profit, professional association for the nearly 2,500 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide — unveiled its 2024 “Field of the Year” winners. This award spotlights the individuals and programs that excelled this year in providing quality, safe playing surfaces.

Every year, SFMA presents the industry’s highest honor to members who manage baseball, football, soccer, softball, and other sporting grounds at the professional, collegiate, school (K-12), and parks and recreation levels.

The 2024 winners are:

Professional

Baseball: Springfield Cardinals, Hammons Field (Springfield, Mo.) – Nathan Strait, Derek Edwards
Soccer: Louisville City FC/Racing Louisville, Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, Ky.) – Aaron Fink

College and University

Baseball: Georgia Southern University, J.J. Clements Stadium (Statesboro, Ga.) – Joe Stumpo
Football: Arizona State University, Mountain America Stadium (Tempe, Ariz.) – Josh Lenz
Soccer: Mississippi State University, MSU Soccer Field (Starkville, Miss.) – Brandon Hardin
Softball: University of Georgia Athletic Association, Jack Turner Softball Stadium (Athens, Ga.) – Brandi ‘BJ’ Thomas

Schools and Parks

Baseball: Corona Del Mar High School, Sea King Field (Newport Beach, Calif.) – Kevin McCaffrey
Football: The Westminster Schools, Fritz-Orr Field at Thompson Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.) – Jake Mays
Soccer: City of Surprise, The Fields at Countryside FACS (Surprise, Ariz.) – Steve Hamilton, CSFM
Softball: Ogden School District, Ben Lomond Scots Softball Field (Ogden, Utah) – Brett Barker

“The dedication and expertise of these Field of the Year Award winners exemplify the best in sports field management,” said SFMA President, Sun Roesslein, CSFM. “Their commitment to excellence ensures that athletes of all levels have access to safe, high-quality playing surfaces. We are honored to recognize their contributions to the field management profession.”

The SFMA Awards Committee reviewed each submittal and independently rated applicants on field quality as impacted by staffing, budget, use, monthly maintenance, and a visual story that documents challenges and successes.

Winners received complimentary registration to the 2025 SFMA Conference & Exhibition, accommodations for three nights, signature clothing and a trophy presented during the annual awards banquet.

SFMA now accepting proposals for presentations at 2026 conference