Wayne Philley
Cover Story
“Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow”
W
ayne Philley has been a part of the Golf & Sports Turf Management Program for so long, it is hard to imagine it without him. We are certainly thankful that he answered the ad for a field technician in the Starkville Daily News placed by Dr. Jeff Krans — and that Dr. Krans hired him! But then, we all know how shrewd he is. That was the beginning of a long commitment and dedication to Mississippi State University and to the turf industry of Mississippi. A native of Mississippi, Wayne received his AA Degree at Wood College in Mathiston, MS, a BS in Crop Science from MSU with an emphasis in Plant Breeding. Over the years he continued his education by taking additional classes and attending workshops and conferences all over the country. He and his lovely wife, Helen, have one daughter, Amanda. When asked who mentored him along the way, his list reads like a Hall of Fame of Turf and his own name should be right in there. “Too many to list for fear of leaving anyone out,” he said, but here are a few: Jeff Krans, Roy Creech, Coleman Ward, Vance Watson, Euel Coats, Mike Goatley, Clarence Watson, Wayne Hanna, Richard Mullenax, Phil Busey, Paul Williams, Ed McWhirter, Jim Price, Wayne Wells, Brian Baldwin, Barry Stewart, Gregg Munshaw, Christian Baldwin, Ted Wallace, Jac Varco, Jay McCurdy, Eric Reasor. What he likes most about his job is collecting different turfgrass ecotypes, crossing them, and observing the progeny these parents produce. He is very good at that…a lot of his “babies” have earned international recognition and made millions of dollars in royalties for Mississippi State University. Also, a lot of professional sports teams (baseball, football) are playing on turf developed by Wayne and Dr. Jeff Krans. We could probably wallpaper the hall of third floor Dorman outside his office with all his awards and accomplishments — he received the Louis and Doris Wise Support Staff Award in 1995, CALS and MAFES Research Award 2004, MSU Office of Technology Management Innovator of the Year Award 2013, MTA Outstanding Turf Professional,
10 • Mississippi Turfgrass • Summer 2019
MTA Distinguished Service Award and the 2019 MSU Zacharias staff award just to name a few. He is a member of ASA, CSSA, GCSAA and MTA, where he faithfully served as Secretary/Treasurer for many years. The best advice he was ever given? “Do your best and God will do the rest.” “I love this job in which God placed me. Any accomplishments, including the seven US patents, numerous invention disclosures, cultivar and germplasm registrations and publications are results of being allowed to work here for forty years.” Although very modest when it comes to himself and his work, accolades from some of those who have worked with him through the years, acknowledge the importance of his place in turf history.
Dr. Jeff Krans
Congratulations on your retirement from Mississippi State and the Turfgrass Program. I clearly remember your first days on the job and your eagerness to work hard and do a good job. You accepted all duties and responsibilities
Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Wayne Philley!
