Member Spotlight

Jason Chisholm, CPSI – Athletic Fields and Grounds Supervisor for Freeport Public Schools in Freeport, Maine

Where did you go to school?

Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, where I majored in Turfgrass Management.

How did you get your start in sports field management?

My career in this field began in 1996 as a ballfield steward with the City of Portland, Maine and the AA Portland Seadogs (I was part of a grounds crew that won Eastern League Field of the Year). In 2006 I was the Athletic Fields Manager for Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (I headed a crew that won the Turface Collegiate Baseball Field of the Year award). In 2009 I became the Athletic Fields and Ground Supervisor for the Freeport School Department in Maine. I have also built and maintained a successful synthetic turf painting business, which has allowed me to share my knowledge and expertise throughout the United States over a variety of venues and associated with the athletic field sector.

Since the beginning of your career, what is the biggest change you’ve seen in the sports field industry?

Sports field management is now taken very seriously and is viewed as an excellent career path.

Who are your mentors in the sports field management profession?

Richard Anderson, past Head Groundskeeper for the Portland Seadogs; Craig Sickels, past Athletic Director for Freeport School Department; William Sandborn, current Head Baseball coach for Saint Joseph’s College; and Dennis Ouellette, past director of athletic fields/grounds/maintenance at Freeport High School.

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

Memorize every measurement that needs to be painted on every sport. (By learning these I’m more efficient. I save time and money.)

What is the next game-changer you see on the horizon for the sports field industry?

Robotics (paint machines and mowers).

What’s your favorite / most useful:

Product? Pioneer Athletics paint products (natural grass and synthetic turf paint)

Technology? Robot paint machine. It saves a tremendous amount of time and money, eliminates human error, creates precise lines and logos. With this technology the possibilities are endless.

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

Without being part of a team, you won’t be successful. Everyone contributes in their own way to the final outcome: a safe, healthy, playable sports field.

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

My wife Dawn has been very supportive of my career choice. She’s an enormous reason for my success. We have two children Eli (21) and Haylen (23.) We just recently lost our Dog Manny. He was almost 19 years old. In our free time Dawn and I enjoy buying and driving our antique vehicles. Our most recent purchase is a 1964 Amphicar 770. It goes on land and water!

What have you found most beneficial about being a NE-SFMA member?

Being able to network with my colleagues, continued education at all the events, and being kept informed by social media and other association publications. •