Athletic Field Management Course Information Sheet

This course is taught in the spring semester of every year, and addresses the principles, practices and problems associated with the management of natural turf-covered athletic fields.  The course will cover construction and maintenance of athletic fields as well as the evaluation of playing surface quality.  Emphasis will be placed on:  soil physical properties that affect the management and use of fields; specification of materials for construction and maintenance; factors affecting traction, hardness and ball response; and published research results. Emphasis will also be placed on understanding of the fundamental elements, terminology and forms of written communication used in athletic turf management.

Expected Learning Outcomes: 

Students will:
1) Be familiar with best management practices for athletic fields.
2) Be familiar with construction options for athletic fields.
3) Be familiar with the soil options available for athletic field construction and how these choices affect field management and use.
4) Understand soil physical properties and how they affect drainage.
5) Be familiar with grassing options and the management of these grasses.
6) Understand how to read agrochemical labels and interpret and use the information on the labels.
7) Know how to calculate fertilizer and chemical application rates.

This course is offered by Mississippi State University. Their campus coordinator is Dr. Richard Harkess (richard.harkess@msstate.edu) and the course management system is Canvas.