Nov. 11, 2010
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) recognized UGL Unicco/ University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. with a Grand Award in the Society’s 2010 Green Star Awards competition. The award was given in the Athletic Fields category for exceptional grounds maintenance. Winners were honored during the Society’s 2010 School of Grounds Management held in conjunction with the GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 27-30.
“This is a great honor to receive,” said Chris Denson, athletic grounds manager at Unicco Service Co./ University of Miami. “It not only recognizes the efforts put in by our staff, but also the University of Miami’s commitment toward enriching their students’, staff and visitors’ lives through green spaces.”
The Green Star Awards program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence, complimenting other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction. Overall, PGMS presented seven Grand Awards, its highest honor, as well as 14 Honor Awards and 12 Merit Awards in 13 categories of competition.
“Chris and his staff provide Championship caliber playing surfaces to our athletic programs on a year-round basis,” said Hocutt. “We want to celebrate this achievement, as well as thank the Athletics Grounds crew for their exceptional service.”
This is not the first award for Denson and Miami.
In 2007, UM also won the Grand Award from PGMS. In 2006, the Sports Turf Managers Association named the Greentree Fields the College Football Field of the Year.
Denson and his staff maintain the grounds at the Greentree Fields, Alex Rodriguez Park (Baseball), and Cobb Stadium (Soccer & Track & Field).
Perhaps no practice field is more legendary than Greentree Fields, which has been the home practice grounds to five National Championship teams. Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field has been home to four National Champions in baseball and one of the most impressive streaks in major college athletics history. The Miami baseball team has made the NCAA postseason a mind-boggling 38 consecutive seasons, which is an NCAA record. Cobb Stadium has been the training and competitive surface for countless All-Americans and handful of National Champions under the watchful eye of current head track coach Amy Deem.