In 2015, Brian Hogan was on the podium sporting a gold medal around his neck as a proud member of the Institute of Applied Agriculture’s first-place team at the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Student Challenge Competition in Denver, Colorado. Fast forward to 2019, and Hogan is a Test Proctor for the very competition he won twice as an IAA student. Fast forward two more years, and Hogan is Treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Turf Managers Association and the Park Superintendent for Calvert County Parks and Recreation.
Hogan is the 2021 recipient of the IAA’s Early Career Alumni Award, given to an IAA graduate who has made significant progress in their career and shown outstanding service to the industry within seven years of graduation.
Since graduating from the IAA, Hogan has rapidly advanced his career in the golf and sports turf management area and promoted professionalism within the industry. He attained three additional professional certifications: Certified Sports Field Manager, Certified Parks and Recreational Professional, and Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
According to Dr. Kevin Mathias, retired IAA lecturer and Hogan’s academic advisor at the IAA, “Brian is the first sports field manager in Maryland to research and then implement a combination bermudagrass with HGT bluegrass turf referred to as ‘Bluemuda’ to his playing fields in Southern Maryland. This is a revolutionary management practice that improves sports turf playability, safety, and sustainability. Because of his pioneering work Brian has been asked to present several presentations to professional and educational groups.”
After graduating, Hogan became the Assistant Superintendent at Laytonsville Golf Course and then Assistant Superintendent at Argyle Country Club, which led him to the Superintendent’s job. When the Park Superintendent position became available within the Calvert County Parks and Recreation in 2017, Hogan had recently moved to Calvert County, and the opportunity was a natural fit. He has flourished in his role.
Hogan credits his IAA education, saying, “I truly believe it’s because of the education I received at the IAA that I have achieved this success in the industry.”
Remembering his time at the IAA, Hogan, who was on three gold-medal winning turf teams, says he has many fond memories, but the 2014 Turf Bowl experience stands out. He explains, “You know how a batter will swing two bats in the on-deck circle? Well, that’s what Doc would make us do with his practice exams. He would give us this 20-page test that made the actual exam feel like a whiffle ball. We went into the testing room with such confidence that we knew we were going to win, and we did!”
Hogan readily admits that waiting for the winning team to be announced was so nerve-racking that he nearly hyperventilated. He laughs as he recalls, “As they got to third place, my palms started to sweat and my heart started to race. Then they announced second place and I’m starting to hyperventilate. When they announced the winner of the 2014 Turf Bowl was Team 52, the University of Maryland, he crowd went wild, and I remember jumping up and giving Doc a big bear hug. I may have squeezed a little too hard, he was complaining of sore ribs the next day.”
Years later, Hogan still feels deep pride and connection to the IAA. He and his fellow teammates were dubbed the Fab Four and remain the only IAA team to win first place in the National Turf Bowl competition.
“I still remember how excited Doc was to hold the [Turf Bowl Championship] cup up in the air walking the halls of Jull. The cup was displayed in the trophy case by the front door of Jull Hall for everyone to see. So, if you ask me what I’m most proud of, it’s being part of the team that won the Turf Bowl for Doc.”
Hogan has continued his winning ways and the IAA is proud to name him as the Early Career Award Recipient for 2021.
