NESTMA Member Spotlight on Brian Boesch

Turfgrass and Sports Field Manager at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island

Brian at URI football game

Q: When did you first get involved with NESTMA?

A: After graduating and earning a job at the University of Rhode Island 11 years ago, I joined NESTMA and STMA. Since 2013, I have been part of the NESTMA board of directors.

Q: Where did you go to school? What was your major?

A: It’s a long story. I earned my undergraduate degree at the University at Buffalo majoring in Biochemistry. After changing career paths, I attended HorryGeorgetown Tech in Myrtle Beach, SC for golf course management. When I completed that program, I attended URI and earned a master’s degree in turfgrass/ environmental science in 2006.

Q: What was your first job in the industry?

A: I was a part time employee working on the grounds crew at the Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach, SC while attending school back in the early 2000s. It was my first experience working on a professional grounds operation.

Q: Where did you go from there?

A: I left Myrtle Beach and moved to Rhode Island in 2003 to obtain a graduate degree. After completing my master’s degree at URI, I was offered an interim position as the Director of Grounds Operations at the university. I worked in this role for one year before taking on my current role as the Sports Turf Manager at URI. Prior to my current position, URI didn’t have a dedicated sports turf professional on staff. During the period while I was working as Interim Grounds Director, the university leadership realized the positive benefits of having a dedicated turf person. They decided URI should have a permanent position to oversee the athletic facilities and manage other campus turf projects. That’s how my current job came into existence.

Q: Who was your mentor when you were first starting out in the business?

A: I have had some influential teachers, classmates, and friends within the industry along the way that have been great networking partners. The guidance and support I received from these individuals have helped me succeed and grow professionally.

Brian leading a tour during the NESTMA workshop at URI.

Q: What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

A: The single most important piece of advice that left the greatest impression on me came from a former professor when I attended turf management school in Myrtle Beach. His advice may sound cliché, but coming from him – a successful businessperson himself – made a huge impact on not just me, but also my classmates and peers at the time. He continually stressed that the key to success in business, or in life, is mastering all forms of communication. That advice, I believe, has been the foundation of my accomplishments so far and no doubt will continue to guide me toward future success.

Q: What advice would you share with people starting out in sports turf management today?

A: Get involved with your industry associations. Get to know people in the industry. Focus on getting a broad level of experience in different aspects of turf management. Find good people to work with who are willing to teach and share their knowledge and experience.

Q: Since the beginning of your career, what is the biggest change you’ve seen in the sports turf industry?

A: Probably the biggest change I have noticed is expansion within the profession itself. The growth in youth sports and demand for higher quality sports facilities has reverberated all the way up through professional sports, which has created more demand and better opportunities for qualified sports turf managers. Additionally, as our industry continues to grow, more and more turf professionals are migrating from the golf industry into sports turf.

Q: What is the next game-changer you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry?

A: Automation. Technology is changing the way we do things at an accelerating pace. We already have sensors and computer operated systems that help control and manage facilities. Drone and automated equipment technology are sure to be at our doorstep within the next decade. The day will soon come when we will be managing crews of robots alongside our human assistants. I have already invested in robot technology that paints athletic fields with precision rivaling that of an experienced field crew.

Q: What’s your favorite/most useful Equipment?

A: Reelmower (Toro 5510 Reelmaster).

Q: Product?

A: Liquid Fertilizer (Growth Products 30-0-0).

Q: Technology?

A: Turf Tank Ion One Field Painting Robot.

Q: Can you share a bit about your family life and what you enjoy doing in your free time?

A: I live with my wife and three-year-old in North Kingstown, RI. My wife, Sha Sha, and I met as graduate students at URI. I was studying turf and she was an economics student. She is from China so we have a bilingual/bicultural household, which is quite interesting and fun. I don’t speak much Chinese, but Sha Sha and daughter, Lily, are fluent. Some day I hope to find more time to learn the language, it’s not easy!

Lily, Brian and Sha Sha

Outside of work, I am an avid golfer and my wife likes to play too. I also enjoy woodworking and building things. As a family, we spend as much time together as possible and each year take trips to visit our distant families in Rochester, NY or Tianjin, China.

Q: What have you enjoyed most about being a NESTMA member?

A: Catching up and networking with my peers. I have met so many good people through NESTMA. I think that is the greatest benefit, at least for me. There are several other great benefits, especially the opportunities for learning and expanding your knowledge.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fellow NESTMA members?

A: Love what you do and prosper.