Why Keeping Qualified Grounds Staff Year-Round is Harder Than it Looks

Maintaining athletic fields properly requires experienced, consistent staff. But most programs struggle with high turnover, unqualified applicants, and tight budgets that make stability nearly impossible. The solution? Rethinking the traditional approach entirely.

Imagine you're a new Athletic Director walking your fields with the retiring grounds manager before the season starts. Divots, bare patches, weeds creeping in – problems are emerging everywhere. But there's no clear plan for who will actually fix them once this seasoned veteran leaves.

This is the situation more ADs find themselves in each year. Let's unpack why – and chart a path forward.

Why is it so hard to retain qualified grounds staff?

In a word: seasonality. Turf management is demanding work, but most of the hours come in concentrated bursts. Summers are slammed, winters are slow. That means grounds jobs are tough to build a career around.

Wages stay low because budgets are tight. Benefits are rare. And advancement opportunities are slim. Put yourself in the shoes of a talented turf professional – you'd probably look for greener pastures too.

What happens to field quality when staffing is inconsistent?

Think about everything your turf manager does in a given week – mowing, irrigation, infield prep, fertilization, overseeding, you name it. Now imagine a different person doing those jobs every few months, with minimal training.

Small slip-ups compound into big issues fast. Compacted soils turn into large bare spots. Missed pre-emergent apps let the weeds take over. The infield lip creeps in. Suddenly, your pristine game-day surface is more of a minefield.

Seasonal work vs. career — the vicious cycle explained

The most reliable person on many grounds crews? Too often it's a part-timer. Maybe a student worker, or a moonlighter from the landscape world.

They do their best, but they're not building deep expertise in your field's needs. They're not thinking about next season, let alone three years from now.

Then the season ends, they move on, and the cycle restarts. Even the best-intentioned departments get stuck here – forever fighting to get ahead while new fires pop up behind them.

The often-overlooked cost of hiring, training and re-training

Bringing on a new grounds team member takes time – placing ads, conducting interviews, onboarding, getting them up to speed. That's time you can't get back.

Then consider the cost of mistakes. Every mow that scalps the turf, overlooked irrigation issues that leave gaps in coverage – these problems add up fast. Especially when your team is turning over every few months.

There's a reason the biggest colleges and pro stadiums rely on seasoned turf professionals. The learning curve is steep, and the stakes are high.

A more reliable approach – what outsourcing solves

Full-time, in-house groundskeeping is an uphill battle for most programs. The budget isn't there, the labor pool is thin, and needs are only getting more specialized.

So, what's the alternative? Outsourcing to a partner who lives and breathes this stuff.

Think about it – when you outsource, you're not just getting a warm body to push a mower. You're getting a team of certified professionals who do this every day, across dozens of fields.

They've seen every problem, tested every product, and refined every process. Vitally, they're not learning on your turf.

Making the switch — what changes

When University of Texas at San Antonio outsourced their athletic field maintenance to us in 2012, it was a gamechanger for their programs. Suddenly, they had a deep bench of expertise to tap – a seasoned turf manager, specialized equipment and operators, a licensed pesticide applicator.

Baylor University, The University of North Texas, Rice – we see a similar impact every time. ADs gain bandwidth. Coaches can focus on coaching. And most importantly, athletes can compete on safer, more consistent surfaces.

If high turnover is costing you field quality, let's talk. Our crews are out there every day making Texas's best fields even better. Reach out and let's explore what's possible.

View Our Services

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience should we look for when hiring grounds staff?

Look for at least 2-3 years of hands-on turf management, ideally in your sport and region. Climates and soil types vary widely.

What's a competitive wage for turf management and grounds keeping?

For a full-time, year-round Turf Manager, $45,000-$60,000 is the going rate in Texas. Adjust up for certifications and experience.

What certifications matter for athletic field maintenance?

Look for a Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM) or Certified Grounds Manager (CGM). A degree in turf science or agronomy is also valuable.

How can we make grounds positions more attractive to keep staff longer?

Offer a clear path to advancement, invest in continuing education, and look for ways to provide a steadier, year-round workload.

When does outsourcing turf management make more sense than in-house?

When you're struggling to hire/retain qualified people, running into repeated mistakes, or simply need more specialized expertise than you can hire for.

If high turnover is hindering your field quality, you're not alone. Let's talk through your options - whether that's optimizing your in-house approach or exploring a partnership with turf specialists who can take the reins.

Get In Touch Today