press releases
Grounds for Success
July 17, 2008
As director of grounds at Carroll College in Helena, Mont., U of M, Crookston Alumnus Gerald Landby, '82, takes pride in the soccer field's turf. He has a right to be proud. Earlier this year, Landby was awarded the 2007 Sports Turf Manager's Association (STMA) College and University Soccer Field of the Year at their national conference in Phoenix, Ariz.
The Field of the Year Awards, established in 1992 by STMA, recognize outstanding fields and a commitment to excellence by their members. Over the past 15 years, fields from every region of the country have been honored with this recognition of outstanding achievement in the sports turf industry.
Landby is a working director; he supervises grounds staff but he also works side-by-side with his crew. “Students motivate me,” Landby says. When I see them out practicing on their own and working hard, I just know I have to give them the best facility possible. I see the work image I provide as the department of first and lasting impressions.” Landby continues, “My success contributes to student-athlete success.” Carroll College athletes have enjoyed tremendous success under Landby’s care of the athletic fields.
Born in Warroad, Minn., Landby graduated from the U of M, Crookston with a degree in landscape, turf and grounds. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in landscape management from Montana State University in Bozeman.
Landby is the son of Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) graduate Norm Landby, ’55, and his grandfather, Martin, graduated from the NWSA in 1913. "The U of M, Crookston and the NWSA are a rich tradition in our family," Landby explains. His sister Belle (Landby) Nelson, ’78, completed her bachelor’s degree in 2003 from the Crookston Campus.
"I did not take notice at the time, but the U of M, Crookston was giving me an education to last a lifetime, Landby says. “I am grateful I had professors and staff that were so committed to teaching and molding successful futures for students.”
Today, the Crookston campus offers students the golf and turf management degree. Students enrolled in the program work to develop their interpersonal, relational, and managerial skills while gaining the depth of technical knowledge required of this highly specialized horticultural field. For information, visit www.UMCrookston.edu/academics.
If you would like to view the full article with photos, download the pdf. Find the article on page 12.
