Eight HLA-Turf Science undergraduates competed last week in the Sports Field Managers Association (SFMA) Collegiate Quiz Bowl competition at the SFMA annual meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. The students placed 4th overall out of 27 teams in this competition. This exam tests the students plant/seed/pest/equipment identification skills, practical turfgrass calculations for the sports field manager and their ability to solve a practical management problem like determining athletic field safety based on the utilization of a surface hardness testing device. The students competing were: Joey Stair, Braden Bates, Evan Dupuis, Ryan Leuck, Nick Beckner, Zack Curtis, Max Hamaker, and Bailey Arbic. In addition to the quiz bowl, the students had the chance to attend educational sessions and network with Sports Field managers from across the world.
In addition to participating in the competition, sophomore Evan Dupuis was recognized by SFMA with a SAFE Foundation undergraduate student scholarship.