Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park's Field Selected Best in South Atlantic League
September 2, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
CHARLESTON, SC -- The playing field at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park has captured the 2009 Sports Turf Manager Award for fields in the South Atlantic League while also being selected as "Best Playing Field" in the league.
Under the direction of former New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays' head groundskeeper Mike Williams, the Riley Park field earns the award for the first time.
"This is a terrific and well-deserved honor for Mike Williams and his staff for all the hard work that is put into this field," said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. "Mike works harder than anyone in his industry and the field confirms it. We're happy as can be for Mike and his staff."
A native of Athens, Ohio, Williams is completing his fourth year in Charleston at head groundskeeper.
"It is an honor to represent the South Atlantic League, the Charleston RiverDogs organization and the City of Charleston in receiving this award," said Williams. "I am truly blessed."
A professional groundskeeper since 1993, Williams is a 1989 graduate of Ohio University with a degree in recreation management and a master's in athletic administration that he earned from Ohio in 1991. He furthered his education in turf management at Cornell University from 1995-96.
He received the 1994 Eastern League Groundskeeper of the Year Award and the 1994-95 Beam Clay Professional Field of the Year Award.
Prior to the 2006 season, Williams worked on the grounds crew for the World Baseball Classic at Hiram Bithorm Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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