For the 13th year, The Toro Co. and the NFL are giving college students a shot at preparing the playing field for the Super Bowl.
The Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program aims to enhance the skills of emerging sports turf professionals through hands-on experience. This year, one student will be shipped to Glendale, Ariz., Jan. 24 to work alongside NFL field directors, Ed Mangan and George Toma, and the Super Bowl grounds crew at the University of Phoenix Stadium to prepare the field leading up to Super Bowl XLIX Feb. 1.
The student will assist with turf maintenance, logo painting, field preparation for media day and halftime preparation and field cleanup.
Applicants must be enrolled in at least the second year of a two-year turf program or in at least the junior year of a four-year turf program. Entries must be postmarked by Oct. 24 and include the completed application form, a 500-word typed essay describing their professional goals, a reference, résumé and the signature of a school adviser or representative. Applications also can be completed online.
The winner will be named Nov. 21.
