Home of the Razorbacks Recognized as 2022 College Football Field of the Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Home of the Razorbacks – Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and Frank Broyles Field – was recently recognized as the 2022 College Football Field of the Year by Sports Field Management (SFMA).

SFMA is the professional organization for 2,700 members who manage sports fields worldwide. The organization announced award recipients in various categories this week, including recognizing the University of Arkansas as the winner in the college football field division.

The Razorback sports turf operations team faced unique challenges in preparing the playing surface at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for the 2022 football season. Last spring, the venue hosted a Garth Brooks concert that required the entire playing field to be covered. The following week, a Top Golf event was held at the stadium.

Initial plans were made to replace the natural surface following those two events. However, thanks to the tireless work and expertise of the Razorbacks’ sports turf operations staff, led by Director of Sports Turf Operations Jeff Foor, Assistant Director of Sport Turf Operations Zachary Severns and Sports Turf Supervisor Jody Phillips, the existing field was able to be revitalized in time for the 2022 football season.

“Congratulations to Jeff, Zach, Jody and our entire sports turf operations team on this prestigious recognition,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said. “To be recognized by your peers is certainly a tremendous honor and further demonstrates we have one of the best sports turf teams in the country. We are extremely proud of their efforts and are grateful to SFMA for highlighting their outstanding work.”

The award will be presented to the University of Arkansas at the National Sports Field Managers Conference Awards Banquet in January in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Razorbacks on-campus field will also be featured in the association’s magazine in 2023.

It is the second time this year that a playing field at the University of Arkansas has been honored. In October, Bogle Park, home to Razorback Softball, was named the 2022 Division I Netting Professionals/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Field of the Year. The University of Arkansas and Sports Turf Supervisor Austin Freeman were officially recognized for that honor earlier this month at the NFCA Convention.