Wilson Morgan, who majors in crop, soil and environmental sciences at Auburn University, was selected to assist the grounds crew in field preparations for Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“I’ve had some excellent mentors in my life who helped me discover my dream of one day becoming a football field manager,” said Morgan. “I’m so grateful for this amazing opportunity to learn from the best of the best, and apply what I learn to my future career.”
Since 1967, Toro has partnered with the National Football League to provide equipment and expertise to help prepare the game field and multiple practice fields leading up to the biggest professional football game of the year. In 2003, Toro and the NFL established the Super Bowl Sports Turfgrass Training Program. Developed to recognize one student each year who has shown exemplary leadership in turfgrass management, the program encourages emerging professionals to further grow their knowledge base by assisting the grounds crew for this high-profile game. Morgan will work alongside NFL field directors Ed Mangan, George Toma and the Super Bowl grounds crew at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on turfgrass maintenance, logo painting, field preparation for media day, halftime preparation and field cleanup.
Morgan plans to graduate from Auburn University in the spring of 2020. He is currently a member of the grounds crew for Auburn University, and has been responsible for helping maintain all athletic fields on campus — specifically during the baseball and football seasons. Additionally, Morgan was an intern on the Miami Dolphins grounds crew at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, during the summer of 2018.
To be considered for the program, entrants had to undergo a comprehensive application process. Due to Morgan’s ambition to pursue a career in turfgrass management, and the leadership he has shown among the student workers as part of the Auburn University grounds crew, he was selected from a large pool of talented candidates. Applicants must be enrolled in at least the second year of a two-year turfgrass program, or in at least the junior year of a four-year turfgrass program.
“We’re thrilled that Wilson Morgan will be part of the Super Bowl Sports Turfgrass Training Program this year at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta,” says Boyd Montgomery, CSE, CSFM, regional business manager for sports fields and grounds, North America at Toro. “Wilson has shown outstanding leadership skills in his current role at Auburn University, and we hope this experience helps contribute to a good foundation as he works to finish up his education and start his career as a sports field management professional.”