Sports Turf Managers Association, The Toro Company Honor Three Students with Dr. James R. Watson Legacy Scholarship

(LAWRENCE, Kan.) Sports Turf Managers Association(STMA) — the professional organization for 2,600 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide — and The Toro Company (Toro) — the leading worldwide provider of innovative turf, landscape, rental and construction equipment — are honoring three students with the Dr. James R. Watson Legacy Scholarship.
 
The award is a special, one-time scholarship funded by The Toro Giving Program in celebration of the company’s Centennial this month as well as STMA’s SAFE Foundation, the philanthropic arm that enriches communities through championing safe, sustainable sports and recreation fields for all athletes. The grant honors long-time Toro agronomist, Dr. James Watson, who passed away Oct. 1, 2013.
 
The three winners are Kevin Hansen (Iowa State University / Ames, Iowa), Chrissie Segars (Oklahoma State University / McBee, S.C.) and Andrew Wilhelm (Purdue University / Plainfield, Ind.). Each will receive a $2,000 scholarship from the SAFE Foundation.
 
“This is an exceptional opportunity for us to partner with The Toro Company to support three rising stars in sports turf,” says Kim Heck, CEO of STMA. “We look forward to monitoring the progress of Kevin, Chrissie and Andrew as they drive our industry for years to come.”
 
Hansen, Segars and Wilhelm are each attaining a degree in sports turf management or comparable field of study. In addition to the cash award, they receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Toro Sports Fields and Grounds Forum, held July 28-31, 2014 in Minneapolis.
 
For more info on STMA: www.stma.org, www.twitter.com/fieldexperts, 800.323.3875.
 
About STMA
 
STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide.  Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management.  Its more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums.
 
For more information: www.stma.org, 800.323.3875