BUFFALO GROVE, IL – Turface® Athletics in partnership with the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) recently announced the four winners of the 2017 Field Maintenance Awards and Scholarships.

For over a decade, Turface has partnered with the ABCA to honor schools that have invested time and resources into sound field maintenance practices to promote the safety and playability of their field, at both the high school and college levels. The winners of the 2017 awards are The University of the Southwest in New Mexico and Carrollton High School in Georgia. 

University of the Southwest Head Baseball Coach Steve Appel comments on the school’s win: “It is very humbling to be acknowledged in this sort of manner in front of peers and some of the best baseball people in the business. It is truly a team effort and we would never be able to accomplish the things that we have done without the hard work and countless hours that our staff has put in." 

In addition to the award accolades, the program provides scholarships to schools that are severely limited by budget or manpower and have proven their dedication to safe and playable fields despite the challenges they face. The winners of the 2017 scholarships are Rochester College in Michigan and Millennium High School in New York. 

“At Turface Athletics we pride ourselves on educating sports field managers, coaches and volunteers to help them keep their fields safe and playable for their athletes,” says Jeff Langner, Brand Manager for Turface Athletics. “We recognize that a lot of work goes into maintaining a field so we’re proud that these annual awards help showcase and congratulate schools with exceptional maintenance practices, while also providing assistance for schools that lack the necessary resources to make field improvements.” 

Turface Athletics provides practical and financial rewards for the program winners, giving award winners one ton of Turface MVP® and $400 to be spent on maintenance equipment from the brand; while scholarship winners take home three tons of Turface MVP, as well as $250 each of the next two years for field maintenance equipment from Turface Athletics.

“I personally have used Turface products since I started coaching and wouldn’t recommend any other brand,” adds Steve Appel. “What they provide is top notch in this industry. I am even more excited to try the new SlideMaster product, which should serve great use with our climate here in South East New Mexico.” 

Craig Keilitz, ABCA Executive Director comments: “We are proud of the ABCA’s association with Turface Athletics in granting the Field Maintenance Awards and Scholarships once again in 2018. It’s a fantastic program honoring those with great field programs as well as assisting those in need, and I’d like to congratulate the four programs that will benefit this year. It shows the mission of Turface Athletics as a true partner to baseball coaches, and we look forward to the ABCA helping facilitate nominations and promote the program for years to come.” 

Nominations for the 2018 Field Maintenance Awards and Field Maintenance Scholarships are now open. Winners will be chosen by a panel of independent judges consisting of grounds maintenance professionals selected by ABCA and Turface Athletics.