Member Spotlight

James Gassman – Associate Athletic Director - Facilities, Events, and Equipment at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire

How did you get your start in the sports field industry?

I studied sports management at Springfield College. I loved the business side of college athletics but also worked on the maintenance side at Baker Hill Country Club over the summers. After four summers at BHCC, I graduated and started coaching and working as a Second Assistant Golf Pro at Lake Sunapee Country Club managing the pro shop, corporate outings, cart barn and helping with maintenance when needed.

Where did you go from there?

Looking for a full-time job, I started my master’s at SNHU in athletics in 2006. After completing my master’s degree, I was promoted to a full-time position of Equipment Manager, which then turned into the Assistant Athletic Director, and then Associate Athletic Director.

Who was your mentor when you were first starting out in the industry, and why?

One of my mentors growing up in the sport industry was Bob Turcott at Baker Hill Country Club, as well as Marty Brown at Kearsarge Regional High School. Bob showed me so many areas of the maintenance side of working the golf course, and the fine details that went into everything. Marty showed me the athletics world, and that work isn’t too bad when your job revolves around athletes and competitions.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

To be a good leader, you need to have great employees: treat them with respect, give them space, but also help when needed. Working in athletics, we have so many areas that we have to account for and knowing when to grind and when to rest is a critical part. I give my operations staff all the credit for the facilities and events we run, as they are the boots on the ground all the time with managing our fields, game operations, student workers, coaches, etc.

What is the next “game-changer” you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry?

I have seen some information on the management of artificial turf. Smart technology: from monitoring the temps of the turf/ moisture levels, as well as maintenance needed in specific areas. This would assist in the need to treat specific areas for grooming, saving the hours of staff grooming full fields/facilities when specific work can be concentrated to extend the lift of synthetic fields. Additionally, the ability to find ways to cool the synthetic fields to assist in the health and wellness of the athletes/coaches that are on the fields.

What’s your favorite / most useful piece of equipment?

I enjoy the 1st Products Turf and Field AERA-Vator, and all the versatility it has with the attachments and maintenance abilities. I find it a great piece of equipment that helps all our natural grass fields, whether freshly sodded or an infield grass area. We can really show each area the attention it deserves all year. Additionally, our pro turf pusher is one of the most beneficial pieces we have. Having the ability to keep our two synthetic fields cleared from snow, we have been able to get in more outdoor practices/games, as well as host local colleges and high school practices/games.

What advice would you share with people starting out in sports field management today?

Be open to hard work. In this industry, there is so much more than just games to manage. The hours that go into the prep of a field, gym, facility for practice, scrimmage, game, or tournament is planned and managed on so many levels. Being able to manage the day-to-day, weekly, monthly, and seasonal needs is hard to really understand when new to a role. Getting to know what you are passionate about, and what you need help with, also will make this industry a much more manageable experience.

Can you share a bit about your family life and / or what you enjoy doing in your free time?

My two very active daughters (10 and 7 years old) who play flag football, basketball, and softball. We also ski, boat, and hike in our “free time”. I enjoy coaching them in their sports, as well as sitting on the boards for flag football, basketball, and softball. I try to give a little insight into options for uniforms and gear, as well as fundraising opportunities, helping the town with field maintenance, and training local parent/coaches on how to drag/ line fields. I also run a local softball camp in Hooksett, NH as well as sit on the Town Facilities sub-committee board for the local schools in Hooksett. The facilities at SNHU have become a second home for the girls, allowing them to come in and shoot hoops, run the fields, use the gyms, or just run around with their friends. Seeing their interest in college sports has been great.

What have you enjoyed most / find most beneficial about being a NE-SFMA member?

I really enjoy the ability to learn from and network with people in the region on what works for their facilities and fields. Meeting great local companies, many of whom we have purchased equipment from. I have been a part of national committees through work, and been a part of Division I seminars, but with their budgets and locations, many of those areas do not correlate with what we do. Knowing we have to manage four seasons, with many climate changes, the local NE-SFMA has been an incredible resource.

Editor’s Note: James and his team at SNHU will be hosting NE-SFMA’s Sports Field Forum on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. We appreciate their support of this popular educational session.