Get to Know KYSFMA member: Dustin Hampton- Laurel County Schools

● How did you get into field maintenance?

Started working for the local school district over 20 years ago and then worked my way

into a field maintenance position.

● What’s a typical day out here look like for you?

Not involved in field work everyday now. I could be working on a fence, playground,

clearing brush, working on a synthetic turf field, or one of the two natural grass sports fields

we have left

● What part of the job do you enjoy the most?

It’s hard to say but when you get to step back and look at the finished product feels

pretty amazing. The guys that I work with daily are pretty enjoyable too.

● What’s the toughest part about keeping this field in good shape?

Traffic, traffic, traffic. Is that enough traffic? They are practice fields, used for field days,

youth sports. Just about anything else you can think of

● How do you decide what needs to get done on a busy day?

What ever is the most important that morning. Have something new almost every

morning.

● What kind of equipment do you use the most?

John Deere Zero turn mower

.

● Ever had any funny or unexpected things happen while working on the field?

I work with some the best and funniest guys around so there is something that is going

on everyday. To many things have happened to think of one singular thing

● How do you handle the field after bad weather?

Like I said most our fields are turf so not much of an issue anymore.

● What’s something most people don’t realize goes into keeping a field looking good?

Just the average person doesn’t realize it takes months to make a field look great. It’s

not a do it today and it will look good tomorrow. It’s the long game for the end product

● Which tasks take the longest or require the most patience?

I would say for me it was always the football paint days. Early start, long days of

stringing and striping. Then numbers and logos.

● How do you work around team practices or games?

At the high school level it is not an issue they are in school so we have the day to do

whatever we need

● What’s one thing players or coaches do that makes your job easier? Harder?

Staying off the field. Had some great coaches to work with others just don’t seem to

understand.

● Is there anything you wish people understood better about field maintenance?

Don’t expect change overnight. It takes time.

● What’s your favorite season for field work? Least favorite?

Favorite. Football season(after August). Can’t beat the cool fall weather. Least: winter

nothing worse than being in a truck pushing snow

● If you could upgrade anything about the field or equipment, what would it be?

We are have fairly new synthetic turf fields. (I miss the grass). Would love to have some new

mowers. And a smaller tractor for just field work.