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Patricia Wilson Field

Softball Athletic Communications

Patricia Wilson Field Named STMA Collegiate Field of the Year




DeLand, Fla. -- For the fifth time in its history, Stetson University's beautiful Patricia Wilson Field has been named Sports Turf Managers Association National College Softball Field of the Year, the organization announced on Wednesday.

The STMA will present the award to Stetson Softball Field Maintenance Technician Steve Barnard at its annual convention in Fort Worth, Texas in January.

"Steve Barnard gets all the credit for it," Stetson head coach Frank Griffin said.  "He is just a fantastic turf manager and we are very fortunate to have him here at Stetson."

"Anytime a panel of your peers picks what you do as being the best, it really means something," Barnard said. 

The care and attention shown by Barnard, Griffin, assistant coach J.J. Payette, and the rest of the Hatters players and staff never goes unnoticed by visitors to the complex.

"It's a great recruiting tool for us, and we take a lot of pride in the field, both the team and the coaching staff," Griffin said.  "We do what's necessary to keep it in top shape."

In order to keep Patricia Wilson Field looking its best above the surface, Barnard says he spends a great deal of time focusing on what's going on beneath the surface.

"So much of it is managing what you don't see, such as the soil profile," Barnard said.  "When you are doing the right things underneath the ground, you get a positive response on top."

Originally constructed in 2003, Patricia Wilson Field has earned the STMA Collegiate Field of the Year award four times previously - in 2007, 2008, 2009, and in 2011. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has also named the facility its Field of the Year in 2004 and 2007.

A panel of 13 judges independently scored entries based on playability, appearance of surfaces, utilization of innovative solutions, effective use of budget and implementation of a comprehensive agronomic program.

The 2018 Stetson softball season begins in February.  A full schedule will be released in the near future.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.







 
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