Drive Receive Multiple South Atlantic League Awards

The South Atlantic League, led by president Eric Krupa, announced its annual league award winners for the 2016 season, and the Greenville Drive have been selected as the recipient of three awards.

The Drive take home the league’s Excellence in Marketing Award for the third consecutive season, and the fourth time overall. In addition, Head Groundskeeper Greg Burgess has been named the league’s Sports Turf Manager of the Year for the fourth time, and Fluor Field was chosen as the Best Playing Surface in the league for the fifth time.

“Receiving these high honors from the South Atlantic League is something our organization can be extremely proud of,” said Drive Owner and Team President Craig Brown. “We place a high priority each and every day on shaping the Drive brand in a meaningful way, and winning these awards is proof that the Drive’s commitment to excellence, both on the field and in the front office, is making an impact on our community and the professional baseball landscape.”

The Drive previously won the Excellence in Marketing award in 2015, 2014 and 2010, and they continue to establish themselves as one of the premier marketing entities in all of professional sports.

The theme created by the Drive and the marketing team at Erwin Penland for the 2016 season was “Your Perfect Game,” which symbolizes the different groups of fans that enjoy the 70 games at Fluor Field annually.

“Our mission is to be the premier entertainment option in the Upstate for fans of all ages,” notes Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko. “We want the families of four, the young professionals and the diehard fans to enjoy their experiences with the Drive, whether its through the team on the field, an exciting promotion or a special community night, and ‘Your Perfect Game’ encapsulates that special experience that makes each fan want to come back to Fluor Field.”

As the “Excellence in Marketing” recipient, the Drive will represent the South Atlantic League as a nominee for the Larry MacPhail Award. This prestigious honor will be given at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C., from December 4-8, symbolizing the top marketing effort in all of Minor League Baseball.

Burgess is being recognized by the South Atlantic League for the fourth time, as he previously received Sports Turf Manager of the Year in 2013, 2010 and 2008. He also received the Groundskeeper of the Year Award from the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) in 2010.

Each head groundskeeper is graded in several different categories including pregame field preparation, overall playability of the surface, professionalism of the crew and more.

The playing surface at Fluor Field is being rewarded as the best in the South Atlantic League for the fifth time, as it previously was recognized in 2013, 2010, 2008 and 2007. In addition, Fluor Field was selected as the 2012 STMA Professional Baseball Field of the Year

The Greenville Drive and its home of Fluor Field have always sought to deliver a “major league” experience for its players. This commitment was evident during the construction of Fluor Field and the design of its playing surfaces, as the infield and outfield were constructed by Chicago White Sox groundskeeper Roger Bossard, who has built many of the most recent major league fields, including the reconstruction of Fenway Park in Boston, and is recognized as a national expert in field design and construction. The care and maintenance of the field has been a top priority of the Drive from inception and reflects the Drive’s commitment to excellence.

“These awards are demonstrative of the great lengths that Greg and our crew go to ensure that Fluor Field is in terrific shape,” said Jarinko. “When fans come to a game at Fluor Field, they are not only seeing the best field in baseball, they are also seeing the hardest-working and most dedicated grounds crew in baseball. We are thrilled for Greg and our crew to be recognized for the hard work they put in year round.”

“The quality of Fluor Field’s playing surface is vital to the development and safety of our players. Greg and the Drive staff do a tremendous job of maintaining an exceptional surface that really stands out,” added Ben Crockett, the Red Sox Director of Player Development.

Burgess will accept both the Sports Turf Manager of the Year and the Best Playing Surface awards at the South Atlantic League meetings this fall.