Get to know KYSFMA Member: Coach Luther Bramblett- Midway University
How did you get into field maintenance?
I started fixing our field when I played at Campbellsville University in the early 90’s, skipping class to mow, line the field, etc. I have since been a coach at the college level for the past 32 years and with that comes the responsibility of taking care of the field.
What’s a typical day out here look like for you?
Since I’m a full-time coach, I have to schedule all of our field maintenance obligations around my responsibilities as a coach. The fall and spring is pretty busy and more hectic, the summer is more laid back.
What part of the job do you enjoy the most?
I love mowing, putting stripes on the field and having it look good. The edging, tamping, etc., I do enjoy, but the older I get the tougher it gets.
What’s the toughest part of keeping the field in good shape?
The Kentucky weather! The hot / dry summers, wet springs and unpredictable winters.
How do you decide what needs to get done on busy day’s?
During the fall and spring season we try to have the field “game ready” every day. We stay on top of our dirt, edges and mowing so the facility looks good to anyone stopping by and for our players, as well as our opponents.
What equipment do you use the most?
2653 John Deere mower, our Gator and backpack blower. Obviously, the smaller tools, hula-hoe, rakes, brooms and tamps are used a lot.
Ever had any funny or unexpected things happen while working on a field?
Anytime you have irrigation on a field, the unexpected can and will happen. The craziest/funniest was when we flagged down a helicopter to hover over our field tarp to help remove the ice – we never considered the shrapnel of ice flying all over the place!
How do you handle the field after bad weather?
The biggest things for us is the dirt and the grass. Making sure we have enough conditioner on our skinned area to help repair it, figuring coco mat or nail drag, etc. The grass is replacing divots, foot prints and sanding bad areas.
What’s something people don’t realize goes into keeping a field looking good?
The time it takes and the size of our “grounds crew”. People are shocked to learn it’s me and my assistants (and sometimes players) that take care of our facility.
Which tasks take the longest or require the most patience?
Edging the field.
How do you work around practices or games?
Since I’m the hardheaded coach to deal with, I make it work!
What’s one thing players or assistant coaches do the make your job harder or easier?
Our players do a great job of helping us out. They all have jobs pre/post practice and games – trash, sweeping dugouts, sweeping edges, raking areas, fixing mounds/plate area, etc. My assistant coaches take care of pens, dragging, etc.
Is there anything you wish people understood better about field maintenance?
Edges!! Most fields we play at or fields I recruit at don’t understand the importance of keeping edges clean and sharp for the safety of their players. And grass – just stay off the grass in high traffic areas and understand that grass is the toughest thing to replace.
What’s your favorite and least favorite season to work in?
Summer/Fall is my favorite, the winter and early spring is by far the worst.
If you could upgrade anything about the field or equipment, what would it be?
I along with a couple KYSFMA members have been working hard at upgrading our compaction/drainage issue we have. As far as equipment, we’d love to have a 3 wheel drag machine to help take care of our skinned areas.
