Elijah Delaney is a fourth-year student in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and plans to graduate in May 2027.
I played soccer and baseball from a young age through high school on fields of poor quality. Turning on a professional sports event and seeing a perfect green field with vibrant stripes would always make me wonder how it was possible when my own experience was so different. Sometime in high school, my curiosity led me down an online rabbit hole where I discovered the world of turfgrass management.
It was convenient that I lived within a 30-minute drive of Michigan State University, which I learned has a renowned turfgrass program.
When I made it into the program, my first taste of work in the industry came from joining the FIFA pitch research team at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center under John “Trey” Rogers III, professor of turfgrass research. I felt very honored to get my start lending a hand to such an important project ahead of the most prestigious sporting tournament in the world.
My time there not only helped me find my feet in the industry but also allowed me to make connections with field managers at the biggest sports venues in the country. I formed a good relationship with Ryan Bjorn, field superintendent at Gillette Stadium, who was willing to add me to his crew for my internship in summer 2026. Gillette Stadium was one of the 16 stadiums that hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
It didn't take long for me to realize that coming to Foxborough, Massachusetts, was the best decision I could have made for my education and career advancement. Not only did my new coworkers welcome me and make me feel very involved right away, but they were very supportive of my desire to hone my skills and learn more turfgrass management practices.
The environment made it fun to come in and work every day, and I was able to take some pride in the work I was doing. My bosses even asked me about what I had learned in the classroom here at MSU to get a better idea of my understanding and where I could improve. It is quite rewarding to be able to apply my knowledge and see the product of a well-maintained field come to life.
I especially feel lucky to be able to say my contributions have helped create better playing surfaces for athletes in the National Football League, Major League Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League and even the World Cup. Being able to work at the FIFA World Cup was a dream come true. It is truly hard to describe how special it felt to walk on a pitch that would be seen by viewers worldwide, knowing I had helped mow it, paint it and repair divots to keep it looking pristine.
As an avid sports fan, I always wanted to work in sports at the highest level, and I'm extremely grateful to know that I have already achieved that. I'm even more excited at the thought that I have so much more left to learn in my career, and I hope to be even more involved in future sporting seasons and events.
I'll be returning to MSU this fall to help with the athletics grounds crew and continue to broaden my knowledge while knowing my work helps a soccer ball roll better or a football player find firmer footing. I'm as proud as ever to be a Spartan, and I'm extremely appreciative of how my journey has played out so far.
