Nick Rozdilski
Senior Director of Field Operations // Round Rock Express
2023 Class of Pioneers in the Field

Photo Credits Round Rock Express

Nick Rozdilski’s elevator pitch for choosing a career in turf is a testament to the career he’s built over the past 20 years as a sports turf professional. Rozdilski is speaking from first-hand experience when he says that the sports turf industry is a place where you constantly have the opportunity to reinvent yourself, an industry that can take you all over the world, and an industry where you not only grow grass, but where you can grow as a leader, professional and friend. Rozdilski is the Senior Director of Field Operations for the Round Rock Express at Dell Diamond Stadium in Texas; where juggling event management and player safety is top priority. 

Since 2017, Rozdilski has found himself asking the question, “but how do we recover?” Rozdilski has faith in his crew that the event can be pulled off and he knows that this evolution of event management will inevitably become a part of every groundskeeper’s DNA. However, the job doesn’t stop for Rozdilski when they successfully move in a stage for a concert or host monster trucks at the stadium. For Rozdilski and his crew, the real work isn’t finished until players retake the field and are able to feel safe on a playable and aesthetically pleasing surface. Rozdilski said that growing trust between him and the Round Rock Express players holds as much importance for him as growing grass. Rozdilski said, “when we do these special events, I understand that everyone needs something, but it’s truly the fear of the unknown when you’re converting your field. Each time we make that transition, we feel as groundskeepers like our reputation is on the line. Of course, with the higher ups, but more importantly with the players who are trusting me to keep them safe. That’s the bread and butter, I want that trust from every player that when they’re playing on my field they have nothing to worry about. I want them to know we will make that conversion happen, with their safety as our priority.”  

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The pressure of event schedules and player safety is something most head groundskeepers can relate to these days. For Rozdilski, his event repertoire has some unique flare that has caught the attention of the industry. Monster trucks and pop stars are common visitors to our stadiums across the country. But in Round Rock, Texas the rodeo often comes to town and the occasional zombie. Dell Diamond Stadium hosts everything from rugby to soccer to baseball to gladiator games throughout the regular season. Then Rozdilski is tasked with bulls in the ballpark and the unique challenges that brings. What Rozdilski and the crew might be best known for is surviving the zombie apocalypse. The popular AMC show, Fear of the Walking Dead, called Round Rock home during the fourth season of their filming. Rozdilski had to kill off all the living grass in his stadium and then, 34 days after the film crew finished, bring everything back to life for Round Rock Express Opening Day. When Rozdilski spoke about the industry constantly providing new opportunities to reinvent yourself as a professional, we’re sure this event conversion crossed his mind. 

Rozdilski has been able to enter new worlds, travel the globe, and call several cities home through turf. Each new location “taking him further down the rabbit hole” of this industry. After getting his start under Dr. Douglas Linde at Delaware Valley University, Rozdilski always had a lingering desire to try baseball. Once he got a taste for it, he’s been hooked ever since. Rozdilski described his first baseball internship with the Trenton Thunder as a tipping point in his career. This is where he met groundskeeper Nicole Sherry. When it was her time to get called up to the MLB, she requested Rozdilski join her on the journey. What Rozdilski thought he’d do for a season, turned into seven years as Sherry’s assistant in Baltimore. Rozdilski credited Sherry with preparing him to run a show of his own. Rozdilski said, “Nicole knew what people were going to notice and we paid extra attention to those finer details. Simple practices, like how to properly roll up a tarp so that it rolls out faster when you need it. Nicole taught us that those details were going to make us stand apart. She really believed in teaching you how to be a head groundskeeper so you could move on and succeed.” When it came time for Rozdilski to take his show on the road, he put his stamp on the Corpus Christi Hooks for three seasons before taking the job with Round Rock Express. Rozdilski said when he first had the chance to be boss, “it was a moment where everything clicked. Then arriving here in Round Rock...well, that’s only taken me further down the rabbit hole of perfecting my skill set.” 

I’ve known Nick for over 17 years and worked side by side with him through a great portion of those years. I know first hand how his skill set evolved and his management capabilities have grown through the years. It showed when he was an Oriole and shows even greater now at Round Rock. Nick is an inspiration because a lot of the challenges we faced, we faced together. I know he helped shape me into becoming the manager I am today because of his ability to access each situation and utilize his tool box while simultaneously creating an environment you want to be around. If you're lucky enough, he's one of the best people to have standing by your side. He is a loyal friend to all and will go above and beyond to always have your back."

Nicole Sherry, Head Groundskeeper, Baltimore Orioles

Rozdilski has been able to enter new worlds, travel the globe, and call several cities home through turf. Each new location “taking him further down the rabbit hole” of this industry. After getting his start under Dr. Douglas Linde at Delaware Valley University, Rozdilski always had a lingering desire to try baseball. Once he got a taste for it, he’s been hooked ever since. Rozdilski described his first baseball internship with the Trenton Thunder as a tipping point in his career. This is where he met groundskeeper Nicole Sherry. When it was her time to get called up to the MLB, she requested Rozdilski join her on the journey. What Rozdilski thought he’d do for a season, turned into seven years as Sherry’s assistant in Baltimore. Rozdilski credited Sherry with preparing him to run a show of his own. Rozdilski said, “Nicole knew what people were going to notice and we paid extra attention to those finer details. Simple practices, like how to properly roll up a tarp so that it rolls out faster when you need it. Nicole taught us that those details were going to make us stand apart. She really believed in teaching you how to be a head groundskeeper so you could move on and succeed.” When it came time for Rozdilski to take his show on the road, he put his stamp on the Corpus Christi Hooks for three seasons before taking the job with Round Rock Express. Rozdilski said when he first had the chance to be boss, “it was a moment where everything clicked. Then arriving here in Round Rock...well, that’s only taken me further down the rabbit hole of perfecting my skill set.” 

Growing up, Rozdilski wasn’t sure he’d leave his hometown of Scranton, PA, but he credits this industry for giving him the opportunity “to see amazing places and meet amazing people.” Rozdilski said, “I’ve been able to live a life that I never even envisioned because of the turf industry and the opportunities that come with it. Through SFMA, I’ve been able to travel to different cities. New jobs have brought me to new homes, all over the country. I love that we have friends all over the globe and relate to one another about the factors we are up against. By having an open mind and seeing that I could move somewhere new and not only survive, but thrive, I’ve been offered so many unique experiences. Everything from juggling different sports, rugby to exercise competitions. All the shows and concerts I’ve been able to set the stage for and the people I’ve been able to meet. I truly love the life I’ve been able to have because of this industry.” 

Nick has always been one of the first calls I make when I have a question or need help with anything. And that’s not just turf related. He has always been there for me. Nick is the type of leader that leads by example. His work ethic is one that is unmatched and makes you want to push to get more out of yourself. I truthfully think his continued work speaks for itself. With all the conversions, outside events, extra games he always puts out the best product that he can. He will be in the trenches with you until the job is done no matter what the task may be. As a friend there is none better. He’s there when you need a kick in the pants and he is there when you need that pat on the back. Truly, there isn’t enough good things I could say about Nick."

Andrew Batts, Lead Softball Turf Manager at the University of Alabama

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While Rozdilski intimately knows all the perks to the job and the intricate skills one must have, he also knows how often people probably think of groundskeepers as the grumpy manager of the grass. That’s why combatting that misconception and putting a career in turf on the map for the next generation is a common goal held throughout the industry. Rozdilski said, “I’m sure people think of us as the grumpy groundskeeper who doesn't want to talk to anyone. For me, that couldn’t be further from the truth and our organization here. As a groundskeeper you are in customer service and the front office is often your tarp team. You have to love what you do in order to be successful in this career, but this industry constantly gives your mind something new to become obsessed with. If you have the ability to learn, you have access to limitless opportunities in this industry. You never have to go stale because there is constant hope for longevity with the presence of things always evolving. One day you’re trying to find a home on the crew and learning the ropes, the next you’re pushing yourself to take more ownership and responsibility. Before you know it, you’re coaching up the next guy to take over. We’re never just growing grass in sports turf, but rather growing as leaders and professionals, hoping the next generation is even better than we were.” 

Rozdilski hopes that his career and his commitment to the industry serves as a pitch for others to choose the sports turf industry. And when it’s all said and done Nick Rozdilski hopes for the simple thing of being known as a “good one.” A groundskeeper that left something better than how he found it. 

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