Tony Leonard
Vice President of Grounds // Philadelphia Eagles 
2024 Class of Pioneers in the Field

If our lives were maps and we made a mark for each person, place or experience along the way, what would your journey look like? How many people changed the course of your life? Which experiences sky rocketed you into new opportunities? And what was the setting for some of your favorite memories? Tony Leonard, Vice President of Grounds for the Philadelphia Eagles, has been with the team for 23 years. Working in the NFL has provided Leonard with countless detours and joy rides. But when Leonard looks at the sports turf road map of his life, it’s the place and the people who have made this story worth telling.

For an aspiring groundskeeper, it’s likely the job will require you to be mobile. Especially if you’re looking to occupy one of the 32 spots in the NFL as a field manager. Leonard says he’s been extremely lucky to have much of his life play out in the place he was born and raised. Growing up in Hanover, PA, playing baseball and football brought Leonard to Kings College. That’s where he met his roommate’s brother who was majoring in turfgrass at Penn State. Leonard says it was like a light bulb going off, while it was his first time hearing about the career, he knew it would be a great fit. At that time some might have said Lenoard's decision was a risky detour, but transferring to Penn State was an exit that introduced him to the people and the career he built his life on. 

Once at Penn State, Leonard quickly ran into Andy McNitt who was working on his PhD and conducting research. The two would work alongside each other for a few years and formulate a friendship that they’d rely on for decades to come. A few more people popped up on Leonard’s life map during his time at Penn State, including his wife who he met his senior year. Leonard would go on to join the Eagles crew in 2000, the year they broke ground on the NovaCare complex. He would marry his wife Lynn in 2002, Lincoln Financial field was built the following year in 2003, and the couple would welcome their first child in 2005, one week after the Philadelphia Eagles were in the SuperBowl. 

For 23 years Leonard has played a major role in the road map of our industry, many times being in the driver’s seat. Whether it’s been through his passion for innovations in the utilization of sod or promoting trends he believed could impact us positively. Leonard says sports field management and technology have gone hand in hand in our evolution and our ability to make decisions for our organizations. Leonard credits technology as our biggest asset in promoting overall plant health and safety for our players.

Chris Ecton, former leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers field crew, said Leonard’s adaptation of technology and trends is one of the qualities that sets him apart in our industry. Ecton said, “Tony has always had a knack for identifying what trends might be worth trying. Then with the network and relationships he had established in our field, he played a crucial role in having those innovations adopted by the rest of us. When I think of Tony as a professional, that’s what makes him different. The same can be said about Tony as a friend. I became a dad this past year and I swear no one was more excited for my wife and me than Tony. He immediately sent our son Eagles gear. While he’s been the most important resource in my network, he’s been equally important to me as a friend.” 

"Tony has always had a knack for identifying what trends might be worth trying. Then with the network and relationships he had established in our field, he played a crucial role in having those innovations adopted by the rest of us. When I think of Tony as a professional, that’s what makes him different. The same can be said about Tony as a friend. I became a dad this past year and I swear no one was more excited for my wife and me than Tony. He immediately sent our son Eagles gear. While he’s been the most important resource in my network, he’s been equally important to me as a friend."

Chris Ecton, former leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers field crew

When you’ve worked in the NFL for more than two decades Leonard says it’s dangerous to start naming the people who helped you along the way because there are so many big players in his success. “I’d be lost without all those folks. The ones who answered the calls, who gifted me transparency, my mentors, my friends. Whenever I needed help with anything for my field, to my employees or my life outside of the job, I always had someone I could call up and talk to. That comradery and the culture of mentorship is what has pushed us forward as professionals today. Everyone from the parks and rec to college to the big leagues. We are all faced with challenges and get the job done by relying on others.” Leonard said it was the colleagues that challenged him to look at things differently, like Andy McNitt, Ken Mrock, Chris Ecton, Travis Hogan, Darian Daily, Dennis Brolin and Wayne Ward who would be major landmarks on his life road map. 

For anyone just starting out on the road, Leonard said the first thing you need to do is find the people who will point you in the right direction. Leonard said, “we all learn by making mistakes, but you make a difference only if you learn from those missteps. You have to find a network that will help you become better from mistakes. Create a community and an environment of accountability and surround yourself with professionals who are willing to think outside of the box.” 

Andy McNitt, Professor Emeritus at Penn State, attributed Tony’s ability to create that community as one of his greatest skills. After four decades at Penn State, McNitt said his best brainstorms happened when he was able to share the room with Leonard. McNitt reflected on his friend and long-time colleague, “Tony has this great ability to influence his peers because he’s selfless, incredibly friendly and when Tony is leading the charge, he brings everyone along with him. He was the driving force behind the foundation of our NFL field managers association. He was able to bring together a group and create a culture of belonging, and do so, organically. Tony is in his element when he’s with his peers, discussing where we’ve been, where we’re going and what’s worth fighting for. Tony made a real impact in the league and our industry by gaining representation for groundskeepers. Having that seat at the table will continue to have an effect for years to come.” 

"Tony has this great ability to influence his peers because he’s selfless, incredibly friendly and when Tony is leading the charge, he brings everyone along with him. He was the driving force behind the foundation of our NFL field managers association. He was able to bring together a group and create a culture of belonging, and do so, organically. Tony is in his element when he’s with his peers, discussing where we’ve been, where we’re going and what’s worth fighting for. Tony made a real impact in the league and our industry by gaining representation for groundskeepers. Having that seat at the table will continue to have an effect for years to come."

Andy McNitt, Professor Emeritus at Penn State

Visibility for one, is visibility for all. When one groundskeeper is invited to the table, he’s bringing along a friend or making room for the next. When it comes to accomplishments off the field, that’s one Leonard felt strongly about throughout his career. Leonard said, looking to the future, “that visibility for our profession and explaining the why is vital to our profession. While safety and playability above all has served as a code for groundskeepers, there is always an audience. Helping our user groups and decision makers understand the why establishes respect for our profession and grants us more opportunities to move the needle forward.” 

Leonard has been successful in moving the needle forward, whether it’s been through his support of technology in the field, formulating a community or pulling a chair up and creating a seat at the table for groundskeepers. It’s been hard work that he hopes resonates with the people who have shared in his journey. One of the audiences Leonard hopes the message hits home for is his family, the biggest landmarks on his life map. Leonard said, “I hope that my family sees how my hard work has paid off and they translate that lesson into their lives. I hope they’ve learned through my career that you have to create opportunities and then perform in the face of challenges. That kick-off feeling, the camaraderie of this industry and how far we’ve come are the rewarding elements that bring you back each day. But knowing that my family, the people I love most, could learn or benefit from it would bring me great joy.” 

"[...] that visibility for our profession and explaining the why is vital to our profession. While safety and playability above all has served as a code for groundskeepers, there is always an audience. Helping our user groups and decision makers understand the why establishes respect for our profession and grants us more opportunities to move the needle forward."

Tony Leonard

Leonard’s life map is rooted in Philly, decorated with important people, all traveling with incredible stories to add to Leonard’s journey. One thing is for sure, Leonard can be proud of the lasting impact he’ll have on our industry because of the people he brought along for the ride.