The Toro Company has announced this year’s winner for the annual Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program. Zachery S. Avers, a student at Ohio State University, will be on hand at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ for Super Bowl XLIX to assist the grounds crew in preparation for the football game that will determine the top team in the National Football League (NFL)*.
Since 1967, Toro has partnered with the NFL in providing equipment to prepare the game field and multiple practice fields leading up to the biggest football game of the year. In 2003, Toro and the NFL established the Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program. Developed to recognize one student who has shown exemplary skill in turf management, the program encourages emerging sports turf professionals to practice their craft by assisting the grounds crew for this extremely high-profile game.
“Most people have a vision of what they want to be when they grow up, and I have always envisioned myself taking care of turf,” explains Avers. “By keeping a positive attitude and continuously adding to my repertoire of experiences, I plan on watching my professional turf career grow exponentially.”
Zachery is scheduled to graduate from Ohio State University in May of 2015, and has played an important role at the Ohio State University Varsity Athletics Facilities since March of 2012. In addition to his work at Ohio State, he is also manager of G.V.V.B. lawn mowing service. Previous to his current positions, he was Head Turf Specialist at Schedel’s Arboretum and Gardens in Elmore, OH. He has also completed internships at Scotts LawnService**, and the Arsenal Football Club in England.
To be considered for the program, applicants had to undergo a comprehensive application process. Thanks to his remarkable experience level, and his ambition to pursue a career in turf management, Avers was selected from a large pool of talented candidates.
“This is a very high-level training experience for young turf professionals,” says Dale Getz, CSFM, sports fields and grounds sales manager at Toro. “We are proud that our partnership with the NFL continues to provide great exposure for emerging professionals in the turf industry, and continues to provide opportunities to further develop their skills. The NFL has shown us all a tremendous amount of dedication to the future of the turf industry.”
This is the 13th year that Toro and the NFL have provided this opportunity for students in the field of turf management.