Athletic Field Blog

  1. Maryanne Baglos – 2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    Maryanne Baglos
    ESPN Wide World of Sports
    2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    On one unforgettable morning, we traveled the world with Maryanne Baglos, without ever leaving Florida. In every corner of the globe represented at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival, Maryanne and her team’s work was on full display: bonsai trees in China, elaborate character topiaries in Italy, and iconic movie scenes crafted entirely from succulents.

    Read more »
  2. Game Day Prep w/ Toledo Mud Hens Grounds Crew

    Read more »
  3. Kyle Leppelmeier – 2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    Kyle Leppelmeier
    Head Groundskeeper // Toledo Mudhens
    2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    For Kyle Leppelmeier, pride and people are at the heart of his long days and even longer nights at Fifth Third Field. Like the mentors who helped shape him and the crew he leads today, Kyle takes pride not just in the ballfields he builds, but the people behind them. That pride comes from creating a safe and playable baseball diamond. 

    Read more »
  4. Ryan Bjorn – 2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    Ryan Bjorn
    Field Superintendent // Gilette Stadium
    2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    It only takes a spark, a moment so small it might go unnoticed, to ignite a lifelong passion. For some that spark might be a song on the radio or a chance encounter. For Ryan Bjorn, Field Superintendent for Gillette Stadium, that spark came in the form of a Fenway park field design.

    Read more »
  5. Andy Levy – 2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    Andy Levy
    Director of Turf // State Farm Stadium
    2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    It’s a Saturday afternoon in the Arizona desert. Tomorrow, fans, coaches, and players will descend on State Farm Stadium—home of the Arizona Cardinals. But long before kickoff, Andy Levy, Director of Turf, can be found leading his crew in a well-rehearsed ritual of maintenance, painting, and precision.

    Read more »
  6. Chase Straw – 2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    Chase Straw
    Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Soils // Penn State University
    2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    If you had told 17-year-old Chase Straw that he’d one day feel most at home in front of a classroom, sharing his passion for turfgrass science, he would have had a few questions—starting with, “What’s turfgrass science?” 

    Read more »
  7. Ryan DeMay – 2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    Ryan DeMay
    Founder of Field Source
    2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field

    In his favorite role to date, Ryan DeMay steps foot onto a different movie set every day. There’s always a new cast of characters, a different threat or challenge to conquer, but he often runs off the same script. Ryan DeMay, flawlessly delivers his lines with the goal of bringing safety and playability to community-level sports fields. Ryan said, “I’m truly in my element when the on-air light is on, we’ve got one take, no edits, let’s go."

    Read more »
  8. Earning a Seat at the Table w/ Kelly Lynch

    Read more »
  9. Routes to Turf w/ Rick Perruzzi

    Read more »
  10. Day in the Life w/ the University of Denver

    Read more »
Page