Please complete this two question survey. It should take you less than one minute.
Follow this link to complete the survey: https://purdue.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1Yugo3dCjOystaQ
The Midwest Regional Turf Foundation would like to know if offering a members only website would be beneficial and find out what you would like to have on this website. You do not have to be a member to take this survey.
Cody Whitis, Justin Shirley, Joey Gerking, and Zak Peterson traveled to Austin, TX for the seventh annual Student Challenge Exam at the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Meetings. Purdue placed 1st out of 32 teams. The students worked hard to prepare for the competition and were surprised when announced in 1st place. “This motivates us to continue to work hard in order to do well at the GCSAA Show in Orlando, FL” according to 3rd year turf bowl member and President of the Turf Club, Justin Shirley. The STMA is rich with Purdue University tradition as the late Dr. Bill Daniel, long-time Purdue professor and a pioneer in the turf industry, was one of the four founding members. Dr. Daniel is honored each year by an award in his name that honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the sports turf industry through research, teaching and extension.
Teams from various colleges and universities participated in a written exam on sports turf and sports field topics. The two hour competition included the identification of insects, grasses, and weeds and covered mathematics, soil physical properties, plant physiology, and plant growth and development in addition to question on athletic field construction, design and maintenance. At the conference, students were able to take advantage of many activities specifically geared to them including the student challenge exam, workshops and a student network luncheon. The teams would like to acknowledge the support they received this year from the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF), Agronomy Department, their advisor Dr. Cale Bigelow and graduate teaching assistants, Tracy Tudor and Jon Trappe. Without Dr. Bigelow, Tracy Tudor, MRTF and the help of the Agronomy Department the students would not be able to compete in the STMA competition. Please commend them on their performance and hard work the next time you see these students.
1st Place team pictured left to right: Chris Calcaterra (STMA President), Cody Whitis, Justin Shirley, Joey Gerking, and Zak Peterson
Tony Feitz, C.J. Coy, John Thackery, and Steve Vonderheide traveled to Austin, TX for the seventh annual Student Challenge Exam at the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Meetings. Purdue placed 8th out of 32 teams. The students worked hard to prepare for the competition and were surprised when Purdue was announced in 1st place. “I was excited to see our other team take 1st place and I am working hard to take this momentum forward to perform well at the GCSAA Show in Orlando, FL” according to 2nd year turf bowl member and Secretary of the Turf Club, C.J. Coy.
8th place team from left to right: John Thackery, Tony Feitz, Steve Vonderheide, C.J. Coy
