Horne named groundskeeper
Steve Horne, 43, brings with him almost 20 years of turf management experience and a host of awards.
Horne, a native of Oxford, Mississippi, joined the staff several weeks ago and was thrilled to see his sod arrive Thursday afternoon.
"I'm excited about seeing this new field in place and this new challenge," he said. "If you think about it, for me it's like opening a brand new facility. The field is new and all my equipment is new."
He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in Sport Management and began his career in sports as the Equipment Manager for Duke University's 27 sports programs. Following his stay at Duke and "Coach K", he headed back home serving as the Head Groundskeeper for the Ole Miss baseball team. In just his 2nd season, he was named the NCAA Groundskeeper of the Year.
After seven seasons at Ole Miss, he left to take a similar position with the Birmingham Barons; double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. In 1997 he was named the Minor League Baseball Grounds Professional of the Year.
In 1998 he advanced to Triple-A with the Memphis Redbirds in the Pacific Coast League. The Memphis facility is widely regarded as the premier playing surface in minor league baseball. Horne was twice honored by the PCL as its top groundskeeper (2001 and 2004) and in 2004 he once again was named the Minor League Baseball SportsTurf Manager of the Year.
"It is my goal to win the SportsTurf Manager of the Year again here in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre," Horne said. "It is my personal goal and I will not be satisfied until it is reached."
Since 1992 Horne has worked with Chicago White Sox Head Groundskeeper Roger Bossard designing and building fields across the country, including many Major League Parks. The pair has worked with the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and a host of minor league teams.
Horne and his wife Iris have two daughters; Stephanie (6) and Sarah (4). They will reside in Clarks Summit, PA.