Member Spotlight

Jackson Elsberry’s Success Has Been All About Pursuing His Dreams

This issue’s Spotlight features Jackson Elsberry, a success story from the Auburn Turf Management Program. Currently the Coordinator of Grounds for the Boston Red Sox, this Alabama native who received his Bachelor of Science from Auburn was the youngest (22 years old) Head Groundskeeper in Minor League Baseball in 2024.

Jackson’s journey in turf began when he was fifteen years old and started his own lawn care business in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he grew up. “I started out with two clients and by the time I turned sixteen, I had 20 clients. Over the next two years my clientele grew to over 50 customers. It was difficult to handle that many customers while attending school and playing baseball, but it was a great learning experience that taught me time management, communication skills and hard work."

While at Auburn, Jackson was mentored by Eric Kleypas, Director of Athletic Grounds at Auburn University. Jackson met Eric when in high school at an Auburn baseball game and they discussed just what a turf degree can lead to. Two years later he enrolled at Auburn and started on the athletic grounds crew in the spring of 2021. Another great mentor in Jackson’s life is David Mellor, former Director of Grounds at the Boston Red Sox. “I was grateful to have the opportunity to intern under Dave in the summer of ‘22 thanks to my experience from working at Auburn. I learned a lot about managing a field at the professional level. I gained experience hosting numerous concerts and learned a lot of different ways to get the job done!”

Jackson was working as the Head Groundskeeper for the Montgomery Biscuits and had just finished his first season when he learned that Dave Mellor had retired in Boston. He received a call a few days later, asking if he would have an interest in coming to Fenway Park as there was a full-time opening. “I felt like it was what I wanted to do. It was a dream of mine to work in Major League Baseball. That dream was right there, and all I had to do was say yes. It upset me that the opportunity came at the expense of Dave retiring. I would have thoroughly enjoyed working for him full-time.”

Jackson has limitless enthusiasm for his work. He is doing what he always dreamed of doing.

“There are many decisions to be made and every decision plays a factor in the overall product you try to produce. The greatest challenge in this job is trusting my decisions and not second guessing them. This has been crucial for me, and I think a lot of that equates to becoming a Head Groundskeeper as soon as I graduated from Auburn last May. I felt like I knew enough, but I also felt like there were things I did not know, or areas where I needed more guidance. That is when I leaned on my mentors and industry peers to help me.”

In order to continue pursuing his dreams, Jackson hopes to be the Director of Grounds for a Major League Baseball, or Collegiate team, in the future. He enjoys watching football and baseball. He is a member of the Sports Field Management Association, and the Alabama Turfgrass Association. He earned his Pesticide Applicator license for the state of Massachusetts and is a Class 1C and 2A equipment operator for the state of Massachusetts.

Fenway Park is America’s oldest ballpark, opening in 1912. It has the tallest wall in the Major League Baseball, the Green Monster. It has hosted the Winter Classic, Big Air Ski jump, Fenway Bowl game and numerous big-name concerts. The field is Kentucky Bluegrass on a sand-based system built to USGA specs, the infield clay is DuraEdge Professional mix and the warning track is a crushed lava rock. SubAir was installed prior to the 2024 season along with new drainage and irrigation.

Congratulations to Jackson on his outstanding success. It is a testament to his hard work and the encouragement and knowledge he received at Auburn University Turfgrass Management program!