Get to Know KYSFMA Member: Keegan Galloway UK Sports Turf

  How did you get into field maintenance?

I have always loved being outdoors. When I came to college my freshmen year, I had randomly selected roommates, who happened to see a job listing for UK Sports Turf. We all started working here and I haven't looked back since.

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

I get here at 730 am with the rest of the fulltime staff. We get a game plan for the day while the students are not here. The students arrive around 8 and we all split up from there and do the tasks needed for the day.

What part of the job do you enjoy the most?

My absolute favorite part of the job is being around our crew all day. We have a great staff here and it's awesome to work with not just coworkers, but friends.

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

I think the toughest part about keeping the baseball field in good shape is just the overall wear it gets. It is a synthetic field, so it is used all the time. If it is not in season, it is being used for camp or even high school practice/games. It is part of the job though, so we get what needs to be done between all of the play.

What kind of equipment do you use the most?

I definitely use hand equipment the most. We do mound repairs quite often, so the equipment I use the most consists of brooms, rakes, and tamps.

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

There is not a day that goes by here where something funny does not happen. I think one of the funniest things that has happened is when one of our students was backing up a gator with a pallet of sod in the back and completely demolished a light pole.

How do you handle the field after bad weather?

The first thing I do is inspect the field and the mounds. It is a synthetic field with a good drainage system, so we do not normally have any problems there. Sometimes the mounds take too much water, so we will strip the conditioner and get them back to a good playing field.

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

People do not realize that you still have to take care of a synthetic field. I like to sweep the whole field, especially the infield near the mound) for chucks of clay and debris. This makes the field look better for the players and spectators.

Which tasks take the longest or require the most patience?

Things like mound repairs can take some patience. We are a high level of college athletics, so we like to ensure we do it the proper way. This can sometime take a while.

How do you work around team practices or games?

We do all our work around the schedule we receive. Their events come first, so when they are all done, we go out and do the work that needs to be done. We have to be very flexible, but that comes with the job.

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

The number one thing the coaches can do to make my job easier is to communicate. The number one thing the coaches can do to make my job harder is not communicating.

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

I wish that people knew how much planning goes into everything we do. I can say growing up watching sports, I could never have imagined what goes into everything.

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

I like working in the spring. It is not too hot, and everything is starting to grow. Not to mention baseball season is in full swing.

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

We are on year 7 or 8 of our current field. I think it would be really cool if we upgraded that. It would be something new for me, so I think it could be a nice change.