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. As she guided us through the festival, Maryanne amazed us with her deep knowledge of the hundreds of botanical features on display. But more than that, she lit up when talking about the team that brought it all to life.

Later that day, we joined her at what she calls her second home, the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. There, we covered the expansive grounds via golf cart, from fresh construction zones to historic baseball and softball diamonds filled with decades of stories. From beginning to end, Maryanne beamed with pride over the role her extraordinary team plays in shaping these magical spaces.

“I would have never thought in a million years that this would be my office,” Maryanne said, smiling as we walked the grounds of Epcot. Officially, she’s the Turf Manager at ESPN Wide World of Sports & Horticulture Manager for Lawn & Ornamental Pest Management for the Parks and Resorts, but her title barely begins to capture the scope of her impact.

Her journey began more than 26 years ago, back when she worked as a golf course groundskeeper at Walt Disney World. She steadily moved through the ranks, from pest management to sports turf, ultimately finding her place in a role that blends science, artistry, and deep-rooted team leadership.

“Maryanne has consistently performed at a very high level in every role she’s had at Disney,” says Patrick Zusack, Director of Horticulture and Holiday services, and a longtime colleague and mentor. “Her work is irreplaceable across the Disney properties.”

The roots of Maryanne’s turf passion trace back to her childhood. “I think it was from playing sports with my dad… just being out there, seeing it, playing on it, and just really enjoying it,” she says. Though her education didn’t point directly toward this path, “I have an associate in arts degree, not even a turf degree”, she built her expertise through industry seminars, conversations with colleagues, and her own drive to grow.

Along the way, she was guided by mentors who recognized her potential. “It was my first assistant, then superintendent, Dale Anderson,” she recalls. “He was always there for you, beside you, answering any question.” She also credits Tim Flowers, Patrick Zusack, and Kelly Day for encouraging her shift from practitioner to leader. “They helped me get past, ‘you know your business,’ to ‘now let’s move you into leadership.’”

And leadership, for Maryanne, means collaboration and listening first. “We hardly have any meetings in the office, it’s usually, ‘Let’s meet on a field. Let’s talk it through,’” she says. “I want to hear what they’re thinking… I don’t have all the answers.”

"I love being the CEO of my own brand, my own program. Being in the classroom and making a course mine is very rewarding to me. The students and teaching are really why I wanted to get into academia, and so many of them have impacted me without even realizing it."

Chase Straw

According to Ruthie Figueroa, Senior Manager of Business Development at Disney Sports, that open, steady presence is exactly what makes Maryanne a Pioneer in the Field. “She doesn’t drown in a glass of water,” Ruthie says. “She can quickly identify solutions for the challenges that come with managing living, breathing venue spaces.”

Ruthie relies on Maryanne’s input every step of the way. “I don’t make a move or sign an agreement without having a conversation with her first. She’s honest, if a field doesn’t have enough rest between events, or if there’s a concern that could affect playability, she’ll let me know. I trust her completely.”

The scale of Maryanne’s world is staggering: 110 developed acres, including 80 acres of playing surface. That includes a baseball quad, a major league stadium, six softball fields, 17 multi-purpose fields, a half field, and a full track and field facility,  all meticulously maintained to host more than 150,000 athletes, coaches, and spectators each year.

Still, she measures success in simpler terms. “To me, the biggest compliment I could ever have is when someone touches the turf and thinks it’s artificial,” she says, beaming. “That’s when I can go home with a smile from ear to ear.”

Maryanne’s career includes transformative moments,  like completely rebuilding championship fields from the ground up. “Sometimes you’ve got to make a mess to make something so beautiful that people just want to come and see it,  or play on it,” she says. Whether it’s converting fields to meet new demands or preparing for high-stakes tournaments, Maryanne approaches each challenge with precision, creativity, and years of hands-on expertise.

Balancing her demanding work with life at home, Maryanne credits her husband, Rory, with constant support. “He’s very understanding,” she says. “Sometimes I’ll ask, ‘Hey, want to take a ride through the fields?’ And even after all these years, he’ll still check-in, ‘Do you still like what you do?’ And I say, ‘I don’t like what I do… I love what I do.’”

As one of the few women in the turf industry, Maryanne carries not just a title, but a sense of purpose. “You have to find your voice and use it,” she says. “Challenge yourself, and carve your own journey.” She knows her presence can make a difference, not by shouting the loudest, but by showing what’s possible. “I may not always know who’s watching or who’s proud of me,” she says, “but if I can be that person for someone else, if I can help them feel seen or supported — then that means everything. My door is always open.”

Being named to the 2025 Class of Pioneers in the Field is, she says, “incredibly humbling and an honor.” But to Maryanne, the recognition is another step in the journey,  one she’s eager to continue.

“I just hope I can have a positive influence on someone. That they can look at me and know, ‘Hey, she’s been where I am.’ And that I’m here to help them move forward, wherever their own journey takes them.”

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