For the avid Ohio State football fan, the word turfgrass or “turf” instinctively brings to mind one thing and one thing only, memories of epic victories against Michigan, students rushing the field, and yes, the same students taking home chunks of the field’s turf. This is something that John Torres cannot help but smile about, he knows well that “turf” goes beyond the artificial grass at the Horseshoe.
Torres, a Senior in Turfgrass Management from Toledo, Ohio, is used to these misconceptions and has learned to be patient with those who do not understand the real extent of his major. “Turfgrass management involves the science and business of utilizing turfgrass in primarily recreational settings such as golf courses, football and soccer fields, and parks and campuses,” Torres explained. “It is a very exciting field and very hands-on, and luckily for me it has opened a new set of doors I never imagined possible.” Thanks to the support from Ohio State’s counselors and his networking, Torres will be spending his summer months in London, England working for Arsenal F.C.’s training facility and stadium.
By the time he graduates, Torres will have had three internships, research experience, and two years of work experience under his belt. Before he transferred to Ohio State with an associate degree in Turfgrass Science from Owens Community College, he held his first internship position at a sports facility in his hometown, which had a great effect on his career decisions. “I love soccer and the opportunity to work close to home on the same field in which I used to play when I was younger was very appealing”, he said, “there, I learned about the complexity of the industry behind sports turf and that made me switch my mind away from landscaping.”
Since Sept. 2007, John Torres has been working at both the Columbus Crew Stadium as a member of the grounds crew and at the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Research & Education Center located on west campus. Torres also worked as an Assistant Athletic Field Manager at The Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C. “These three experiences have been priceless,” Torres said, “I was able to learn the critical underpinnings of the maintenance of a competitive athletic surface, while also contributing to research by assisting with data collection for various professors.” Torres fondest memory is, without a doubt, the World Cup qualifiers’ game between Mexico (Torres’s parents’ home country) and the United States in 2005. “My team and I worked 15-hour days getting the field ready for that game,” Torres recalls, “in the end, having the chance to sit on the sideline, seeing the players, the lights, and the stadium to its full capacity, made it all worth the effort.”
With his parents’ support, Torres is ready for the next step. He expects to bring back with him the higher standards that European soccer maintains to share with Major League Soccer in the United States. “In Europe people breathe soccer; it is a totally different ball game,” he said, “I cannot wait to work shoulder to shoulder with coaches, meet the players, and then give something back to the Columbus community upon my return.”
With every week different than the one before, a career in Turfgrass Management is a great option for those that love to be challenged continuously. According to Torres, students must have a passion for this field to stand the challenges. “It needs to be in your heart”, he said, “there are long hours of hard work, but the compensation is the unbelievable experiences you get.”
John Torres will be graduating in March of 2009. His future plans involve working at New York Red Bulls’ new stadium or a management position at the Columbus Crew stadium. ¡Buena suerte John!
