From left, Jonas Navarro, Anne Beckingham, Brian Harner and Josh Wyatt
Athletes who play on Vassar College’s Gordon Field know how hard the grounds crew works to maintain one of the finest playing fields in the country. Now, the team that makes it happen, headed by Anne Beckingham of Old Forge, has received national recognition for its efforts.
The Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) has named Gordon Field the “College and University 2012 Soccer Field of the Year.”
Vassar’s Prentiss Complex, a total of 15+ acres of sports turf, includes three practice soccer fields, a competition soccer field, baseball fields, an artificial turf field with full track surrounding it and a rugby field.
Beckingham and her colleagues also maintain approximately 10 km of cross-country trails, two faculty housing properties and two acres of student housing.
“It’s an outstanding accomplishment for a small, but efficient crew,” said Beckingham, who is the Supervisor of Athletic Fields for Building and Grounds.
“I am very proud of the great team that works on all of the Vassar fields. These guys put their hearts and souls into the fields.”
She credits the Vassar soccer coaches and players with respecting the fields and being good stewards of them.
She added that coaches from other colleges comment on the beauty and quality of Gordon Field when their teams play at Vassar.
Beckingham graduated from SUNY Delhi with a Bachelors in Business/Golf Course Superintendence.
During her studies, she did internships with two minor league baseball teams, the Buffalo Bisons and the Altoona Curves in PA.
Employed at Vassar since 2008, Beckingham is one of approximately 10 women working nationally at this level, compared with STMA membership of 2,500.
A stickler for good turf management practices, she said she believes in over-seeding and frequent aeration of fields.
To aerate the Kentucky Bluegrass fields, they utilize a Toro Procore 864 pulled behind a tractor.
She and her staff got the school’s three practice soccer fields into great shape, so that teams gladly practice on those, and leave the game field for exclusive game use, she said.
Gordon Field was one of only three soccer fields nationally to earn the award, joined by Waukegan Sports Park Field in Waukegan, IL in the Schools and Parks category, and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO in the Professional category.
The winners will be presented with their awards on January 18, 2013, at the STMA Awards Banquet in Daytona Beach, FL.
STMA has been providing education, information and practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management since 1981.
A panel of eleven judges independently scores each entry based on the playability and appearance of the playing surfaces, innovative solutions employed, effective use of budget, and the development and implementation of a comprehensive, sound agronomic program.
“The challenges that Ms. Beckingham faces and the innovative solutions she employs are truly amazing and award-worthy. She and her crew are very deserving of this prestigious award for Gordon Field,” said Kim Heck, CEO of the STMA.
Beckingham currently spends more time in Poughkeepsie than Old Forge, and is joined by her husband Pete whenever possible.
She expressed her deep appreciation for Pete for his forward thinking and total support of her professional endeavors.
