Corey Levine
Athletic Field & Grounds Superintendent // University of North Florida
2024 Class of Pioneers in the Field

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. Corey Levine, Athletic Field & Grounds Superintendent at the University of North Florida, has made a career out of building doors. Over the past decade, Levine has built his knowledge of sports turf, a network of mentors and a home in our industry. When meeting Levine, it doesn’t take long to realize he’s going to continue to make his own way. Through learning on the fly, tapping into his community and a passion for leaving things better than he found them, Levine will continue to build opportunities for himself and his peers in our industry. 

Levine sought out a career in the sports turf industry after overseeing youth sports with the YMCA in Jacksonville, Florida. While the job required Levine to manage everything from the facility to events to human resources, Levine found himself spending all his spare time taking care of the fields. He became a student of YouTube and learning on the job. He also discovered a love for the craft. His desire to improve his own skills brought him to volunteering at Fleming Island High School, where he would develop his passion for professionalism. Fleming Island HS gave Levine the opportunity to take a canvas and create something both he and the community could be proud of. 

Through his volunteering at Fleming Island, Corey was introduced to Jeff Feltman, Sports Facility Manager at Christ’s Church Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. Feltman was a member of the 2020 Pioneers in the Field class and one of the first people Corey was able to call on for a favor and advice. Feltman spoke highly of his friend Levine, “Corey as a Pioneer in the Field? You have my 100% endorsement. That kid is just incredible. To be successful in this industry you have to be hard working, and even more than that, you have to care. That’s what sets Corey apart, his care and dedication. Corey never plays for second place, he wants everything he touches to be the best for everyone, whether that’s UNF or the Jaguars. That dedication is what makes him a leader, and it’s why I’m so proud of him.” 

Levine credits those years at Fleming Island as transformative and influential for the trajectory of his career. It’s where he met mentors who would go on to be great friends. And where he made the decision to elevate everything he did. The school needed a logo for Friday night? It was going to be Levine’s best logo yet. Same order next week? He’d look for ways to make it even better. Week after week, for six seasons, Levine used the field at Fleming Island to serve as his classroom and his living, breathing resume for the future. Because that’s where Levine was always looking, the future. For opportunities to work alongside leaders in the industry and become one himself. That’s also how he opened a door with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Levine was a fan of the work Nick Fedewa, Mark Clay and his crew were doing in Jacksonville and sent him a message of kudos. That simple compliment granted Levine the opportunity to come out and work on the game day crew with Fweda. And that one day turned into a friendship of four years and counting, working together with the Jaguars. During the regular season Levine will work on the Jags game day turf crew. The gig has even created opportunities for him across the pond during the NFL London Games, where he clocks in as a Game Operations Assistant for the NFL. 

"Corey as a Pioneer in the Field? You have my 100% endorsement. That kid is just incredible. To be successful in this industry you have to be hard working, and even more than that, you have to care. That’s what sets Corey apart, his care and dedication. Corey never plays for second place, he wants everything he touches to be the best for everyone, whether that’s UNF or the Jaguars. That dedication is what makes him a leader, and it’s why I’m so proud of him."

Jeff Feltman, Sports Facility Manager at Christ’s Church Academy

Levine never would’ve expected a message on social media spiraling into life-changing jobs, but he’s thankful for the chances he took and encourages others to do the same. Levine said, “my advice for the next generation comes from my own experience and success when asking for help or advice in this industry. I’d tell them, don’t be afraid to reach out to veterans in the industry or someone who’s work you admire. Now being on this side of it, I know how eager we all are to help others be successful and share ideas. I’d also urge anyone just starting out to never turn down any opportunity. Learning by doing is the best way to learn. Go mow that high school soccer field or line that rec t-ball field! No job is too big or too small to learn from.” 

From the YMCA to volunteering whenever and wherever the job presented itself, to working in the NFL. Levine has never backed down from the long hours or the dedication this job requires. After proving himself time and time again, opportunity came knocking. This time around, Levine was offered a position at the University of North Florida, where he works today as their Athletic Field & Grounds Superintendent. Like most university gigs, Levine is pulled in a different direction each day. Whether it’s fall ball or soccer or helping install lights for the scoreboard, Levine says he’s never experienced the same day twice.

"My advice for the next generation comes from my own experience and success when asking for help or advice in this industry. I’d tell them, don’t be afraid to reach out to veterans in the industry or someone who’s work you admire [...]. Learning by doing is the best way to learn. Go mow that high school soccer field or line that rec t-ball field! No job is too big or too small to learn from."

Corey Levine

Levine is grateful for the opportunity to put in the work at UNF and have it appreciated and utilized by so many. Levine says, “the nature of our industry is stepping up and doing what you can to put on a first class event. I make it my mission that our student athletes never notice a difference between times when they might be the only event that week or games when they’re one of 25. At UNF, I’m in my element. It’s the perfect blend of my love for turfgrass and having the resources to make it great. I’m able to put in the work and it’s incredibly rewarding when the student athletes take a step back and appreciate it all, just like I do.” 

"The nature of our industry is stepping up and doing what you can to put on a first class event. I make it my mission that our student athletes never notice a difference between times when they might be the only event that week or games when they’re one of 25..."

Corey Levine

After years of opening doors for opportunity to come through, Levine is now building his legacy in the sports turf industry. He says, “I want to know I left my stamp on what I did and where I was. And I’ve got the best shot here at UNF with this canvas and the nature of this job. I will strive for perfection, but remind myself that the fields will always be there. At the end of the day, I hope I make a real impact because of how I conducted myself as a professional. I want to be known for how I interacted with the coaching staff, my crew and my user groups. Those relationships are so important to what we do every day and this industry as a whole. I hope my story and the stories of others continue to grow and inspire our industry.”