Athletic Field Maintenance and Construction

Gain new insights for improving the quality and playability of your athletic fields to ensure safe and optimal playing conditions.

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Turf management specialist Matt Henn prepares practice fields for Rutgers football team

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Athletic Field Maintenance and Construction
Course Code: AT0501WA24
Date of Most Recent Offering: February 13-14, 2024

Date: February 13-14, 2024 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm EST (Log-in time: 7:30 am) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Online UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Live, instructor-led UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Fee: $295 per person UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Early Bird Discount Fee: $275 per person (expires February 6, 2024) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Closes: February 11, 2024 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the Public Grounds Management Certificate Program.

Very often the difference between a good sports field and a great sports field is not spending more time on maintenance, but getting the most out of the time you spend. By participating in this training, you can make sure that you’re working smarter, not harder, and utilizing your time and resources in the most efficient and effective way.

Our instructors provide a balanced, comprehensive curriculum that is informed by both scholarly research and years of real-world, practical experience. You will get in-depth training on the proper techniques for maintaining and protecting all types of athletic field surfaces so that you can ensure that your fields are a point of pride for everyone in your organization. In addition, this course will cover important off-the-field topics such as handling safety and legal issues. Knowing how to competently and confidently deal with these aspects of athletic field management can make the difference between a smooth, successful season of sports field use and one that is filled with headaches and problems.

  • Sports Field Safety and Legal Issues
  • How Soil Physical and Chemical Properties Affect Athletic Field Construction, Establishment, and Management
  • Cool-season Turfgrasses for Athletic Fields
  • Maintenance Procedures for Natural Turf Fields
  • Weed Control in Athletic Fields
  • Insect Problems and Their Control
  • Infield Maintenance Procedures
  • Overseeding and Other Traffic Management Strategies

Who Should Attend?

This course presents an excellent learning and networking opportunity for all types of professionals who are involved in the maintenance and construction of athletic fields, including baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, football fields, and more. The course focuses on cool-season turfgrasses grown in New Jersey and other climate zones in the United States where cool-season turfgrasses are predominant. Past participants have included:

  • Athletic Facilities Managers
  • Athletic Field Designers, Contractors, and Engineers
  • Athletic Field Maintenance Personnel
  • Grounds Supervisors & Groundskeepers
  • Parks Department & Recreation Employees
  • Professional Grounds Managers
  • Public Works Department Employees
  • Residential Community Managers
  • School and College/University Grounds Maintenance Personnel
  • Sports Field Maintenance Technicians

Meet Your Instructors

Neil Dougherty, Rutgers University

Dr. Albrecht Koppenhöfer, Rutgers University

Headshot of instructor Dr. Albrecht Koppenhöfer

Dr. Albrecht Koppenhöfer is an extension specialist and professor in the Department of Entomology at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University. He works to develop and implement sustainable integrated pest management relying on little or no pesticides. The goal of his program is to develop and implement ecologically-based IPM for turfgrass systems with an emphasis on sustainability and biological control.

Dr. James Murphy, Rutgers University

Headshot of instructor Dr. James Murphy

Dr. Murphy is the Extension Specialist in Turfgrass Management at Rutgers University. He conducts extension and research programs related to identifying best management practices for turfgrasses grown in the metropolitan region around New Jersey. His work often focuses on developing a better understanding of turfgrass response to soil-related stresses. He is internationally recognized as an authority on best management practices that enhance the stress tolerance, persistence, and environmental benefits of cool-season turf.

Brad Park, Rutgers University

Headshot of instructor Brad Park

Brad Park is a Laboratory Researcher with the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology. Brad performs traffic stress research on cool-season turfgrass species commonly established for sports fields. He routinely visits athletic facilities in New Jersey to assist turf managers in solving problems associated with high traffic sports fields. He is also actively involved in research projects concerning low-input turfgrasses for public grounds, home lawns, and highway roadsides.

Dan Purner, Head Groundskeeper, Somerset Patriots

Student Reviews

“I would recommend this class to any of the grounds crew at my job. It is a good course to teach proper technique and practice for athletic fields.”

– Past Participant

“Overall very good. Touched many bases of field care, turf management; covered a wide base in relatively short amount of time.”

– Past Participant

“I learned how to remove lips in the infield. I will fix these problems on our fields.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Athletic Field Maintenance and Construction was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Athletic Field Maintenance and Construction course (9.25 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators:  4 units in 3B and 13
*Please check the NJDEP’s updated policy regarding earning pesticide credits from online courses: https://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/pcp/bpo.htm

NJ Certified Fertilizer Applicators: 5 credits

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 5.5 Technical

DE, NY, and MA Pesticide Applicators: If you need pesticide credits in these states, you must register and notify Joe Canzano at least 45 days before the course start date. Call 848-932-7317 or send an email to joe.canzano@rutgers.edu.

Course Requirements and Policies

electronic devices iconTechnology Requirements

This online course will be delivered via Zoom. On February 12, 2024, registrants will receive an email with a link to access the course. On February 13, please login to the class 30 minutes before start time for a brief overview of the online format. The course will start promptly at 8:00 am EST.

Equipment you will need to access this training:

  • A computer, tablet, or smartphone
  • Microphone is necessary if you’d like to ask questions
  • Webcam is optional but not necessary
  • Speaker is optional but not necessary (you will be able to listen to the presentation by dialing in on your phone if your computer does not have a speaker)

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

camera iconPhoto ID Requirement

Each registrant will be asked provide a photo of him/herself holding their government-issued photo ID. This is required by credit boards so that you may receive credits for participating in this online course.

  • You will receive a reminder email prior to the start of the class with further instructions. Wait to receive these instructions before you attempt to upload your ID.
  • The photo must be clear enough that we can read your name and verify that the person pictured on the ID is in fact the person holding it.
  • After an OCPE staff member reviews the picture and verifies your identity, you will have access to participate in the course when it begins.

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

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This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Athletic Field Maintenance and Construction, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

Rutgers University Shield

Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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Boy kicking soccer ball toward net on grass field

Natural and Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Sports Turf

Couple strolling on paved path through well maintained park with trees and flowers

Public Grounds Management Certificate Program

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