Weston Appelfeller, CSFM
Austin FC
Weston Appelfeller, CSFM
Austin FC
Weston Appelfeller, CSFM is a consummate professional and is known for his focus on building and developing a TEAM of field managers to help develop and execute a field management program. When faced with the challenge of moving to Texas and starting with a brand new soccer club, he dove headfirst into that challenge and helped to design and create one of the most state of the art stadiums and field pitches in the United States. Having a background that was primarily in cool season turfgrass, he researched and studied every factor possible that would go into a warm season playing surface and used that in his decision making process.
Weston is embracing new technology and science like grow lights, improved turfgrass varieties, and precision data collection tools to maximize his ability to produce a safe playing surface in an extremely difficult environment. In addition, he has recruited and hired a stellar staff to work alongside of him and allows them to utilize their strengths to achieve the high level results that he is looking for. Weston has been a strong supporter of SFMA having served on numerous committee as well as the board of directors for the association and represents our industry in a highly professional way.
| Year | Previous Award Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Weston Appelfeller, CSFM, Pioneer Athletics |
| 2021 | Joshua McPherson, CSFM, St. Louis CITY SC |
| 2020 | Marcus Dean, CSFM, Advanced Turf Solutions |
| 2019 | Allen Johnson, CSFM, Green Bay Packers |
| 2018 | Nicole Sherry, Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore (MD) |
| 2017 | Paul Burgess, Real Madrid and Estadio Santiago Bernabeu |
| 2016 | Tom Nielsen, Louisville Bats Baseball Club, Louisville (KY) |
| 2015 | Michael Buras, CSFM, Longwood Cricket Club, Chestnut Hill (MA) |
| 2014 | Tony Leonard, Philadelphia Eagles (PA) |
| 2013 | Rich Watson, Pine Hill Schools, Sewell (NJ) |
| 2012 | Amy Fouty, CSFM, Michigan State University Intercollegiate Athletics, East Lansing (MI) |
| 2011 | Darian Daily, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati (OH) |
| 2010 | Mike Trigg, CSFM, Waukegan Park District, Waukegan (IL) |
| 2009 | David Rulli, Jeffco Stadium, Lakewood (CO) |
| 2008 | Mike Tarantino, Poway Unified School District, Poway (CA) |
| 2007 | Donald Fowler, PSU Extension (Retired) (PA) |
| 2006 | Mike McDonald, CSFM, Turf Manager, University of Minnesota (MN) |
| 2005 | Floyd Perry, Owner, Grounds Maintenance Services, Orlando (FL) |
| 2004 | Steve LeGros, GCA Service at the University of New Hampshire (NH) |
| 2003 | Pat White, City of Hollywood (FL) |
| 2002 | Eric Adkins, CSFM, Michigan State University (MI) |
| 2001 | Heather Nabozny, Detroit Tigers (MI) |
| 2000 | By Hanson, Jefferson County Public Schools (CO) |
| 1999 | G.C. (George) Trivett, Granite Falls Middle School (NC) |
| 1998 | Ross Kurcab, Denver Broncos (CO) |
| 1997 | Merton Johnson, Cal State/Fullerton (CA) |
* Facility listed is where employed at time of award. Check Directory for current listing
