During the 2016 Sports turf Short Course, the Ohio State University Turfgrass Science team recognized Tanner Turner as the 2016 Joe Motz Sports Turf Student of the Year.
Joe Motz graduated from OSU in 1977 and went on to build his own company, first in lawn care and then in athletic field construction. Today, The Motz Group employs 28 people and is recognized worldwide as one of the leading construction specialists in both synthetic and natural grass sports fields. The award recognizes a sports turf student who shows the same qualities as Joe – hard working, a team player, and a person that will make a difference in the industry.
Tanner completed his Associate’s Degree in Turfgrass Science at ATI before undertaking his Bachelors at The Ohio State University. He has worked at The Cincinnati Reds and the OTF/OSU Turfgrass Research Facility and been active in Turf Club. He has competed in the STMA’s quiz bowl the last two years and received scholarships from OSTMA, among others.
Tanner joins other students who have excelled in representing the sports turf industry during their time at Ohio State. This is the first time that two siblings have the same award, with Tyler Turner (his brother), receiving the award in 2014. Tanner is graduating in Fall 2016 and wants to work in baseball field management.
Previous recipients of the Joe Motz Sports Turf Student of the Year include:
