Toro Selects Winner of 2011 Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program
Toro equipment and representatives have been involved in preparing the stadium and practice fields for the Super Bowl for over 40 years. Starting with the inaugural World Championship in 1967, the NFL grounds crew has relied on Toro for its expertise in preparing the game field and multiple practice facilities. In 2003, the organizations partnered to establish The Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program.
Through the Sports Turf Training Program, Toro and the NFL's Super Bowl grounds team collaborate to offer a program aimed at enhancing the skills of emerging sports turf professionals. This program provides hands-on experience in establishing and maintaining safe playing fields. As this year's recipient, Dallas will work alongside Ed Mangan, NFL field director , and the Super Bowl grounds crew at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX on turf maintenance, logo painting, field preparation for media day and halftime preparation and clean-up.
Dallas, a student at Kansas State University working toward a bachelor's degree in agriculture, has focused his college studies on horticulture and sports turf operations management. “Turf managers face challenges every day in preparing fields to be aesthetically pleasing, consistent and safe,” says Dallas. “As the technology in the sport turf management industry rapidly progresses, as a sport turf manager, I need to be ready to adapt to these changes. The opportunity to participate in Toro's Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program will give me the knowledge and experience to better understand how to promote good turf management techniques.”
With an extensive history of supporting student scholarships and educational activities, Toro is proud to offer this unique learning experience. “We're excited to partner with the NFL once again to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to Casey Dallas,” said Dale Getz, CSFM, sports fields and grounds sales manager at Toro. “This program reflects our interest in helping students in turf programs learn what it takes to maintain safe playing conditions at all levels of competition.”
“Toro continues to play an instrumental role in helping us maintain a safe, high-quality playing field year after year,” said Mangan. “Toro mowers, vehicles and equipment help us prepare for each Super Bowl, and the company's expertise in turf management, whether it's natural or artificial turf, has helped us create a field that can withstand the most demanding situation.”
* Super Bowl is a registered trademark of the NFL.
About The Toro Company
The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of turf and landscape maintenance equipment, and precision irrigation systems. With sales of nearly $1.7 billion in fiscal 2010, Toro's global presence extends to more than 80 countries through its reputation of world-class service, innovation and turf expertise. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands to help customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, and agricultural fields. More information is available at www.toro.com.
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