Heather Nabozny thought she was just accepting a job with the Detroit Tigers.
But after getting her own fan club and an invitation to appear on NBC's Today Show, Nabozny, an MSU alumna, found out that becoming the first female head groundskeeper in Major League history made others take notice.
The International Unofficial Heather Nabozny Fan Club, or Turf Heads,
formed their group to celebrate Nabozny's promotion. The Turf Heads say
they're anxious to support Nabozny during the upcoming season with
banners and clothing.
"We're trying to decide what kind of caps to wear at games," the fan
club's media coordinator Inside Fastball said. "One member thinks we
should write HF on our local team hat, for 'Heather Fan.' Someone else
suggested attaching a flat of Kentucky Blue Grass to our hats because
that's what the Tigers' field is. But that's probably too heavy and
might block people's view of the game."
Nabozny said the attention flatters her, but it does make her aware of the pressure she faces. "People say I'm a pioneer," she said. "I just wanted this job. I just want to make a smooth transition."
Nabozny came to MSU from Lansing Community College and Lake Superior State University. "Before MSU, I thought I was interested in social work or environmental conservation," she said. "But I couldn't stand to be inside all day. Over the summer I'd work for my dad's lawn-care business . He sent me to a seminar, and MSU was there lecturing about their Sports and Commercial Turf Management.
"I heard that speech, and I thought to myself, 'There is light at the end of the tunnel.'" David Gilstrap, an agricultural technology sports and commercial turf management instructor, taught Nabozny while she was at MSU. "Nabozny was very focused," he said. "She knew she wanted to become a baseball groundskeeper and had an eventual dream of working in the Major Leagues."
Gilstrap said the attention Nabozny has received encourages women interested in pursuing a career in turf management. "The opportunities for women throughout turf management are great," he said. "The few women who have gone through our program have been very successful. We'd like to see greater diversity in the future."
IFHF said Nabozny's role with the Tigers is important for women as well. "I am the father of two girls, and I'm very happy about what Heather's position says for the advancement of women," he said. "My 2-year-old wants to sleep with her toy rake now."