Steve Wightman voted into the MLB Groundskeepers Hall of Fame

Veteran Groundskeeper Steve Wightman has been voted into the Major League Baseball Groundskeepers Hall of Fame, the Association of Major League Baseball Groundskeepers announced today. Wightman, a leader in the industry, managed sports fields for over 39 years including 36 years at the professional level before his retirement in March 2012.
The induction ceremony will be held during the 20th Annual MLB Groundskeepers Meeting at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, January 21st. Wightman's name will be inscribed on the Gary Vanden Berg Trophy in recognition of his "dedication and outstanding contributions to Major League Baseball and the sports turf industry." 
"Being inducted into the MLB Groundskeepers Hall of Fame is something I had never imagined in my wildest dreams," said Wightman. "I am humbled and honored beyond words. It is truly an honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life."
After earning a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Marketing and Finance in 1971 from the University of Northern Colorado, Wightman pursued a banking career in Arizona. However, in 1973 after discovering his passion for being outdoors, Wightman moved back to Denver to become the new Manager of Ballfield Maintenance for the City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation Department. There, he oversaw the installation and maintenance of over 250 recreational ballfields.
In 1976, Wightman became the Head Groundskeeper at Denver's Mile High Stadium, managing the playing field for the Denver Broncos and the Denver Bears, a triple-A minor league baseball team. 
In 1988, Wightman became the Field Manager at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium (later named Qualcomm Stadium) home of the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Padres, San Diego State University Aztecs (football) and numerous other sporting and non-sporting events. During the majority of Steve's tenure, Jack Murphy Stadium was the busiest professional stadium in the country hosting over 200 field events each year. 
"The San Diego Padres congratulate Steve Wightman on his induction into the Major League Baseball Groundskeepers Hall of Fame," said Senior Vice President, Ballpark Operations and General Manager of Petco Park for the San Diego Padres Mark Guglielmo. "Having partnered and worked with Steve until the Padres moved to Petco Park, we learned why he is deserving of this incredible honor and recognition. Extremely knowledgeable while always dedicated to providing the best playing surface possible, no task was ever too big or small that Steve didn't embrace with a positive, 'can-do' attitude and approach. Steve faced countless challenges as Head Groundskeeper for a multi-use stadium with many tenants. However, despite those challenges, he always ensured a playing surface that met and exceeded the expectations of our organization and players. The induction of Steve as the newest member of the Groundkeepers Hall of Fame will enrich this list of the very best in this profession." 
During his career, Wightman prepared fields for numerous high profile national and international sporting events including the 1992 Baseball All-Star Game and 1998 World Series at Jack Murphy Stadium, the 1994 World Cup Soccer at the Rose Bowl and the 1998 and 2003 Super Bowls in San Diego. 
Wightman remained actively involved in the sports turf industry throughout his career, serving as the president of the Sports Turf Managers Association and as a member of the San Diego Chapter of the Sports Turf Managers Association, the San Diego Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association and the adjunct faculty at Cuyamaca College. Wightman now resides in Vista, California.
Past inductees in the MLB Groundskeeper Hall of Fame include Emil Bossard (Indians), George Toma (Royals), Joe Mooney (Red Sox), Dick Ericson (Twins), Harry Gill (Brewers), Pat Santarone (Orioles), Pete Flynn (Mets), Gary Vanden Berg (Brewers) and Marty Schwab (Reds).