March 28, 2020

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

When fans watch a local high school baseball or softball game the players, coaches and umpires are worth watching but for those at a Lee’s Summit North home game should also take a look at the field. The field they see in front of them was named a Field of Excellence by Pioneer Athletics. The fields are maintained by Greg Hogan who serves the Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools as the Sports Field Manager.

Hogan, who is known as Green Grass Greg throughout the school district and on twitter, submitted three applications to the Pioneer Athletics company in hopes of being named a Fields of Excellence winner. On February 14 the national company known for making natural grass and synthetic turf field maintenance equipment announced the 2019 winners. Lee’s Summit North was named one of 87 winners across the United States for a Field of Excellence.

Hogan learned of the award thanks to a tweet on Friday, Feb. 14 around noon, “I was excited.” Hogan gives credit for the award to several members of the grounds crew and even had help with the kids themselves.

Thanks to “A very supportive staff” Hogan says is also a major part of why this award is now sitting at the home of the Broncos. Staff members playing a major role included Mark Greenstreet, LSR7 Grounds Supervisor and LS North Athletic Director Mike McGurk. Hogan recalls in his job interview with McGurk being told he was “Open to suggestions.” Now several years into working at LS North, Hogan finds McGurk “Very easy to work with and that’s very much appreciated.”

Green Grass Greg has been in the business now for 17 years. Hogan got his start in the field while an undergrad at Mizzou working for Columbia Parks & Recreation. While at Mizzou Greg pursued a degree in Turf Management and admits, “It feels good that his only adult job has been maintaining ball fields.”

A portion of Hogan’s career has been spent working on both fields at the Truman Sports Complex as he worked with both the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. Hogan worked on both grass fields starting in 2007. While at work for the Chiefs Greg had the opportunity to meet world-renowned turf master George Toma who has worked on the fields at all 54 Super Bowls.

Playing on a field named a Field of Excellence is of no surprise to LS North Baseball coach Michael Westacott saying “our fields are awesome.” Westacott adds, “We have the privilege of having two full size, varsity quality baseball fields at our school. Broncos baseball players have a positive relationship with Greg,” as Westacott states, “He is an integral part of our baseball program.”

The next time the Broncos baseball team takes the field in search of excellence they will be doing it on a well-maintained and award-winning Field of Excellence.