Tampa, Florida – The United Soccer League announced today that Louisville City FC’s Aaron Fink has been named the 2022 USL Groundskeeper of the Year, presented by BRANDT. Fink and his grounds staff at Lynn Family Stadium are the first recipients of the award.
As part of the award, Fink and one of his staff will receive a trip to the 2023 Sports Turf Managers Association Conference, courtesy of BRANDT. The SFMA conference will be held January 16-19 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Karl Barnhart, BRANDT Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Good sports field maintenance is not just about providing an attractive field on match day. is.”
“We often don’t get recognition for our work unless we make mistakes, so I think it’s a great opportunity for our team to be recognized for their hard work,” says Fink. “When I told the players about this, I thought they had really won twice this year. The USL Summer Showcase opened here.These spots epitomized this year when teams were willing to put in their hard work in the toughest conditions.In my opinion, this is a group award. No one has won an award.”
Fink joins a full-time staff of three groundskeepers at Lynn Family Stadium. Darrell Clarke, Assistant Groundskeeper, Matt Skidmore, Head Groundskeeper, Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center, JR Williams, Assistant Groundskeeper, Lynn Family Sports Vision. & Training Center – and two interns – Nolan Dumstorf and Michael Netherton.
Both the Lynn Family Stadium and the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center use the same Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass, and Fink’s staff use Blunt’s Palco Route and Mega Alex to maintain a natural playing surface.
“Parco-Root helps root the field and MegAleX helps get through stressful times,” says Fink. “Both are used on the field at stadiums and training facilities from spring through fall.”
BRANDT’s 2022 USL Groundskeeper of the Year award was voted on by players, technical staff and coaching staff in both the USL Championship and USL League 1.
