Chris Davis, VP and General Manager of Auburn Sports Properties
Auburn University is a tradition rich, SEC school with a passionate and knowledgeable fanbase. The sports programs are consistently numbered among the top…not only in their conference, but in the nation as well. So, it’s no surprise that the facilities and sports fields are constantly under a microscope. From the regular attendance by the spirited fans, to the spotlight of nationally broadcasted games, the maintenance teams are under the gun when it comes to keeping the fields and surfaces ready for the “Prime Time”.
One problem that every nationally ranked sports-centric universities have, is needing to be efficient and effective when it comes to preparing venues for gameday. The fan experience is a top priority for Auburn. In fact, Auburn University has been the top ranked fan experience in the SEC for several years! They are proud of that, and they intend on keeping it that way! One of the secrets to keeping up with the maddening pace of national and SEC TV schedules, is to have the staff fresh and ready. Wasting time and energy by frequent moving of products and materials from one venue to another is counterproductive. “With turf grass management, just about everything we purchase comes on pallets… fertilizers, pesticides, and field marking paints. The Toyota forklift helps us stay fresh and efficient, so field maintenance can be our top priority” says Eric Kleypas, Director of Athletic Turf & Grounds. With 80,000 plus fans on Saturdays, the Toyota lift truck is always ready, willing, and reliable to make the field safe and TV-ready.
Chris Davis, Vice President and General Manager of Auburn Sports Properties, explains, “The one thing about the Auburn brand and Auburn family is that we believe in hard work. We are always going to do what it takes to get the work done. It is nice to have a product that you believe in to help you get the work done. The way the partnership with the Lilly Company is set up really helps deliver a number one game day experience. When you’re able to align two brands that do business in the same thought process, it is really easy to have those conversations. Having a really awesome partnership with The Lilly Company makes all those nuts and bolts come together, so our fans can come together and enjoy the game and Auburn experience. “