All Your Turf News In One Place
The Turf Zone Podcast
Claim This Podcastby The Turf Zone
4.3(3 reviews)
48 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
All Your Turf News In One Place
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/20/2023
Reach the team behind The Turf Zone Podcast
Verified contact details for this show aren't on file yet — sign up to get notified when they land.
Recent Episodes
June 19, 2026
Testing Ground
<p>Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features the article “Testing Ground” featured in Tennessee Turfgrass magazine.</p> <p>UT turfgrass researchers have invented a device to test the playability of football fields, soccer pitches, and other surfaces—with the goal of keeping athletes safe.</p> <p>In 2018, the NFL scheduled a game for a neutral site in Mexico. Though the field had passed mandatory tests like surface hardness, the league’s players association had concerns about the safety of the field. So they turned to Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management John Sorochan to represent their interests. Sorochan advised that there were too many inconsistencies in the field and that the lack of rooting was a serious issue. He argued that an inconsistent and unstable surface is an unsafe surface. And his advocacy helped get the game moved to a safer field.</p> <p>For Sorochan, the experience revealed the need across multiple sports for a better way to test the playability and compliance of natural grass surfaces. Together, he and Kyley Dickson (BS ’12, MS ’14, PhD ’17), researcher and co-director of UT’s Center for Athletic Field Safety, invented a solution that has surpassed its original goal: the fLEX Device.</p> <p>This portable machine realistically simulates the motion of an athlete’s foot striking the ground, using a 3D-printed foot outfitted with a real cleat.</p> <p>“There were machines out there to test artificial turf—years before, Dr. Sorochan helped AstroTurf develop one,” Dickson says. “But nothing was specific to natural grass.</p> <p>“We also wanted to go beyond the static vertical load, rotational, and slide tests that existing tools used,” he continues. “We put sensors around the 3D-printed foot and ankle to measure energy that would be transferred back to the athlete. This makes fLEX unique.”</p> <p>Development of the fLex Device reflects the driving force behind sports turf research at UT: the human impact of athlete–surface interactions.</p> <p>“Our tool to measure what athletes would feel on natural grass has turned out to be equally applicable for synthetic turf, running tracks, even basketball courts—all surfaces but ice for hockey—to understand the effects on athletes,” Sorochan says.</p> <p>A Team Effort</p> <p>Producing the fLEX Device was interdisciplinary from the start. Sorochan and Dickson hired metal workers to build their device, mechanical engineers to run calculations, and a recent UT computer science graduate to develop software to collect and interpret sensor data. UT kinesiology and biomechanics experts scientifically validated the device. </p> <p>“At the biomechanics lab, fLEX struck the force plate like a human athlete would,” Sorochan says. “We learned how to calibrate it to simulate foot strikes for different-sized athletes, from a 350-pound NFL athlete down to a 35-pound kid playing soccer at school.”</p> <p>They partnered with UT Athletics for real-world testing. After football games at Neyland Stadium, researchers would collect data from more than 70 spots across the field to form a comprehensive picture of its condition. “Neyland is probably the most tested stadium anywhere,” Sorochan laughs.</p> <p>And when the Lady Vols soccer team needed to change cleats, the fLEX Device informed that decision by measuring the load different shoes put on players’ bodies.</p> <p>“Being a Vol means being part of a team,” Sorochan says. “So many Vols have helped us develop and test fLEX.”</p> <p>From Concept to Commercialization</p> <p>Early prototypes involved manually ratcheting and releasing gears. When Sorochan and Dickson collected feedback from field managers and student researchers who used the device, everyone agreed: there were too many components and too many data points.</p> <p>“To make a real-world impact,” Sorochan says, “it had to be simpler for field managers and other turf professionals to use, understand, and benefit from our device. We also needed to scale up in terms of production and audience. UT and UT Research Foundation played important roles in accomplishing that and commercializing our invention.”</p> <p>In 2024, Sorochan and Dickson received the inaugural Chancellor’s Innovation Fund award. They focused those funds on automating the device and streamlining the user experience. UT Research Foundation helped them patent their technology, connect with business advisors, and put their product on the market. </p> <p>Today, users set and release the gears with the touch of a button. The screen displays three key data points: surface traction, surface hardness, and amount of energy returned to the athlete. The software automatically generates a report complete with summary, graphs, and a heat map highlighting inconsistencies across the field.</p> <p>International Impact</p> <p>The fLEX Device’s credibility has grown with every sporting venue the team has tested over the last five years—130-plus stadiums connected to the NFL, MLB, and other professional and college leagues in five countries. </p> <p>FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, has seen the value of the fLEX Device firsthand during a five-year research collaboration with UT. Billions of FIFA World Cup 26 viewers will soon watch top athletes play on natural grass pitches developed by Sorochan’s research team. Several of the host stadiums for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 used a first-of-its-kind “shallow profile” pitch.</p> <p>“It was a ‘wow’ moment when fLEX first demonstrated that the shallow construction method we were experimenting with performed the same as a standard pitch, which has 12 inches of sand underneath,” Sorochan says. “This shallow profile could enable host stadiums that typically use synthetic turf to quickly and cost effectively install safe natural grass pitches for the World Cup tournaments.”</p> <p>At FIFA’s request, Sorochan’s team used the fLEX Device to gather field data before and after each Club World Cup game in summer 2025. They’ll likely use fLEX in the same way during FIFA World Cup 26: to inform real-time field management decisions that protect players and ensure uniform conditions across all 16 host stadiums.</p> <p>“FIFA has incredibly high standards for these pitches,” Sorochan says. “fLEX is the right tool to make sure their expectations for consistency, safety, and performance are met.”</p> <p>In May 2025, global pitch management solutions company SGL purchased the fLEX Device product rights. “SGL is an industry leader expanding its portfolio of resources and tools for improving sports fields,” Sorochan says. “They invest in quality and R&D. fLEX was a great fit.”</p> <p>“fLEX represents the very best of UT—ideas that are generated and implemented locally and go on to change the world,” says Deb Crawford, vice chancellor for research, innovation, and economic development. “By leveraging the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund and partnering with private industry, Dr. Sorochan and his colleagues have expanded their impact, ensuring that UT innovations continue to have a profound impact worldwide.”</p> <p>Dickson is directing product development for SGL fLEX Systems. “I’ll explore questions to make it even more user friendly, like Could it be robotic? Could we put an electric motor drive on it? Are we getting the right data for different sports?”</p> <p>“This device will make all sports surfaces safer for all levels, from young kids to professional players,” Sorochan sums up. “UT’s support made this impact possible. Now, SGL is making it global.”</p> <p>Delve into UT’s research to create the best and most consistent pitches for FIFA World Cup 26.</p> <p>You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on <a href="http://x.com/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">X</a>, <a href="http://facebook.com/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://linkedin.com/company/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://theturfzone.com/podcast_association/testing-ground/">Testing Ground</a> appeared first on <a href="https://theturfzone.com">The Turf Zone</a>.</p>
June 17, 2026
UT and FIFA World Cup 26!
<p>Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode covers how The University of Tennessee’s research as part of the FIFA 2026 World Cup is already scoring benefits on the world stage.</p> <p>When FIFA selected the University of Tennessee to oversee research for building and maintaining the FIFA WORLD CUP 26<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> pitches, it promised to focus worldwide attention on the university’s turfgrass science and management program. With the opening games just weeks away, UT’s collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association has already brought new recognition to the acclaimed turfgrass program.</p> <p>The research—led by John Sorochan, who is the Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management in the UT Department of Plant Sciences—is also yielding information that will result in improved parks, recreation fields and sports turfs at schools and universities. </p> <p> “It’s been an incredibly important initiative,” says Keith Carver, UT Institute of Agriculture senior vice chancellor and senior vice president. “It takes the work of our faculty and researchers to audiences all over the world. But, in an equally important manner, our work with FIFA has ushered in new advances to turfgrass that have improved golf courses, yards and gardens all over the Volunteer State. The impact of this research reaches far and wide.”</p> <p>In 2021, FIFA initiated a five-year project with UT and Michigan State University for help in producing optimum playing surfaces for the 16 stadiums and nearly 150 practice fields for FIFA WORLD CUP 26. Forty-eight national teams will play at venues in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., spanning four time zones and multiple climatic regions. </p> <p>Since then, UT researchers have been growing test plots of grass, experimenting with ways of installing grass over different surfaces in varying conditions and testing surfaces for the best playing and safety conditions. FIFA funded the construction of climate-controlled test fields at the Plant Sciences Unit of the UT East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Knoxville. </p> <p>Alan Ferguson, FIFA senior pitch management manager, says the university’s research was used in the inaugural Club World Cup, an international competition organized by FIFA, held last summer at a dozen stadiums across the U.S. </p> <p>“The UT turf team is well known around the world for high-quality research,” Ferguson says. “With so many key technologies already under research at UT, it made sense for FIFA to partner and extend this research.” </p> <p>The UT turfgrass science and management program is expanding in other ways, as well. UT is establishing certificate programs for pitch managers, golf course superintendents and those who oversee other sports venues. The UT Herbert College of Agriculture is working to launch one or more certificate programs for turfgrass science, including specializations for sports turf. The program is intended to have a state, national and global audience and will be open to current college students.</p> <p>UT Extension currently offers the non-credit, online Certified Lawn Care Professional Program on general turfgrass management. The program is tailored for working professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of regional turfgrass management and who do not need or intend to use the training for a college certificate or degree program. Participants in this program do not have to submit homework or take quizzes and exams, or develop other types of work typically associated with college programs. Participants who finish the program receive a certificate of completion from UT Extension, though no college credit or transcripts are earned.</p> <p>UT also is investing in additional turf research fields, which Sorochan says could be used to test specific technologies like heating systems, vacuum ventilation and subsurface irrigation.</p> <p>Learn more about these efforts, the benefits they are bringing to athletic playing surfaces throughout Tennessee, and the first-class opportunities they are bringing to turfgrass science and management students in an article in UTIA’s Land, Life and Science magazine.</p> <p>You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on <a href="http://x.com/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">X</a>, <a href="http://facebook.com/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://linkedin.com/company/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://theturfzone.com/podcast_association/ut-and-fifa-world-cup-26/">UT and FIFA World Cup 26!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://theturfzone.com">The Turf Zone</a>.</p>
June 16, 2026
Welcome, Dr. Zia Williamson to Mississippi State University
<p>Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features the article “Welcome, Dr. Zia Williamson to Mississippi State University” from Mississippi Turfgrass magazine.</p> <p>Mississippi State University is pleased to welcome Dr. Zia Williamson as Assistant Professor of Extension for Turf and Ornamental Entomology in the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Plant Protection.</p> <p>A native of Lincolnton, Georgia, Dr. Williamson grew up surrounded by the green industry through her family’s landscaping business near Augusta. That early exposure to plants, insects, and managed landscapes helped shape her academic path. She earned undergraduate degrees in entomology and horticulture from the University of Georgia, where she also gained research experience in plant production, fruit pathology, nematology, museum collections, and applied entomology. She later completed both her master’s degree and Ph.D. in entomology at UGA.</p> <p>Dr. Williamson’s graduate research has focused on insect ecology and management in specialty crops, turfgrass, ornamentals, and urban landscapes. Her master’s work examined trunk-boring beetle pests in Georgia specialty crops and urban landscapes. Her doctoral research explored native bee ecology in turfgrass production farms and ornamental horticulture settings, including how landscape characteristics, floral resources, and management practices influence pollinator presence and activity.</p> <p>At Mississippi State, Dr. Williamson will develop Extension and applied research programs addressing insect and pest management needs in turfgrass, ornamentals, and related landscape systems. Her work will support growers, golf course superintendents, landscape professionals, Extension agents, and other practitioners, as well as homeowners, through insect identification, science-based management recommendations, trainings, and responsive educational resources.</p> <p>As she begins her new role, Dr. Williamson is eager to connect with Mississippi stakeholders and learn more about the turf and ornamental pest challenges they face.</p> <p>Please drop her an email (<a href="mailto:zvw9@msstate.edu">zvw9@msstate.edu</a>), and come see her speak at this year’s September 17 Field Day. </p> <p>You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on <a href="http://x.com/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">X</a>, <a href="http://facebook.com/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://linkedin.com/company/theturfzone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://theturfzone.com/podcast_association/welcome-dr-zia-williamson-to-mississippi-state-university/">Welcome, Dr. Zia Williamson to Mississippi State University</a> appeared first on <a href="https://theturfzone.com">The Turf Zone</a>.</p>
48 total episodes available
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
Deep-dive analytics for The Turf Zone Podcast
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is The Turf Zone Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.