Our CALS Star today is Michael Boettcher, the field manager for the Milwaukee Brewers. He graduated in December of 2006 majoring in Horticulture with an emphasis in Sports Turf and Landscape Management. His connections and past internships have been a huge part of him becoming the field manager at a very young age.
Q: Can you tell us about yourself and your past?
A: I am a small-town farm kid from West-Central Wisconsin. My love and interest for working in agriculture started on the farm where there is 100 beef cows and tillable acreage to feed our stock, while still doing some cash cropping. I knew I loved farming and had intentions of having my own one day and thought a post-secondary education would do me well.
Q: Why did you choose your major?
A: When arriving at Madison, all I really knew was farming. My logical major was Animal Science. My freshmen year, I took an exploratory Horticulture class (120) that required me to volunteer at a place that centered on Horticulture. I chose to volunteer at Allen Centennial Gardens. That experience working in the gardens made me notice my love for working in ornamental horticulture. Once I changed my major to Horticulture, my choice to have Dr. John Stier as my advisor helped me find my way towards Landscape & Turf Grass Management.
Q: What student organizations and/or volunteer opportunities were you involved in while in college and how did these help you prepare for a full-time job?
A: I was involved with the Saddle & Sirloin Club (S&S) and the Turf & Grounds Club. I held several positions of leadership within the S&S club, giving me the opportunity to lead members in several instances, like I do currently with my crew. Turf & Grounds club exposed me to many facets of the industry while giving me a chance to network with several future industry professionals/colleagues. My volunteer experience at the Allen Centennial Gardens helped me start my trek towards my profession.
Q: What did you do to prepare for an interview for your internships and eventual full-time positions?
A: My interviews were simply prepped for by taking my classroom knowledge, work and life experience and applying it. My communication classes that I took throughout my high school and college years prepped me greatly to speak properly and present myself in a clear and confident manner.
Q: Can you tell us about your internships and how these helped you in your career development?
A: My internships got me to where I am!!! My internship with the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball club in 2004 started it all. It was my first summer off the farm and it really opened my eyes to Sports Turf and Landscape Management at a level I never really thought about. My Horticultural knowledge was limited at the time of this internship, but my work ethic I learned growing up on the farm, allowed me to demonstrate my passion and thirst for knowledge in the industry. I was a Landscape Intern with the Brewers, but did a fair amount of field work, driving me to learn more about the Sports Turf side of the industry. In 2006, I was able to do this by accepting a Turf Internship with the Boston Red Sox. Working solely on the field really gave me that good experience and affirmed my interest in Sports Turf. These two internships shaped me and were a big part in getting me to where I am now.
Q: What was the most important thing you learned while in college?
A: The classroom knowledge that I apply to my day to day workings, has been a huge component of my success, but the biggest concept that I took away from college is the importance of networking. My relationships and connections that I made through college, I believe provided me the greatest opportunity to succeed professionally.
Q: What is a typical day like working for the Milwaukee Brewers as the field manager?
A: A great aspect of my job is that there really isn’t a typical day. During the season when the team is in Milwaukee, I get to the park early in the morning to walk the field and address any issues that may have transpired from the day/game before. My crew arrives and after getting them all going, I try to take care of any office work. After about 10 am I find myself on the field checking moisture levels on the infield surfaces, dirt and turf, and applying water as necessary. Our ability to control moisture levels on the playing surface plays an important role in having the field game ready, every day. After the field is prepped and readied for batting practice, it is time to prep my crew and equipment for the game. During games, I spend my time watching the field, to see how it is reacting to the players’ and the ball.
When the team is on the road, we are spending a lot of time repairing and prepping for the teams return.
In the off-season, after we put the bed to “sleep” or cover it for the winter, we are quite busy getting our staff hired and all of our materials ordered. There is a lot of prep involved in getting ready for the upcoming season.
The hourly requirement of my career is demanding. I find myself at the park for 80-100 hours every week during the season (March-October), but I never realize it due to my enjoyment that I get from my job day in and day out.
Q: Did you ever imagine you would be a field manager at such a young age?
A: Never in million years did I think I would be where I am at, especially at this time in my life. When I look back at how I got here, I can honestly say that it took a lot of hard work and determination. I would like to think that was it, but I know that there is a ton of people (Family, Friends, Professors, co-workers, industry professionals, etc.) that got me to where I am today. I am truly thankful for the path that I have taken for it has gotten me to one of the most satisfying professions that I could have ever imagined.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
A: If I would have to choose just one, I would have to say my late boss, Mr. Gary Vanden Berg. He defined role model. He was always a man of great intelligence and understanding. He was the Head Groundskeeper for the Brewers for the past 20+ years and experienced numerous challenges at both County Stadium and Miller Park and yet put out a great field for the team.
He was always willing to teach me methods he had learned over the years and at the same time he embraced the idea of always working to find a better way to do a job. He took some chances when he originally hired me, but I am grateful that he believed in me and has given me the opportunity to work for one of the greatest organizations and parks in professional sports.
