Jan 30, 2014| Print this News | Email this News |

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (January 30, 2014) - The Toro Company has announced this year's winner for the annual Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program. Joshua Lenz, a student at Iowa State University, will be on hand at MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. for Super Bowl XLVIII to assist the grounds crew in preparation for the football game that will determine the top team in the National Football League (NFL)*.

Since 1967, Toro has partnered with the NFL in providing equipment to prepare the game field and multiple practice fields leading up to the biggest football game of the year. In 2003, Toro and the NFL established the Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program. Developed to recognize one student who has shown exemplary skill in turf management, the program encourages emerging sports turf professionals to practice their craft by assisting the grounds crew for this extremely high-profile game.

Toro is proud to offer this unique learning experience, and the program recipient, Joshua Lenz, is thrilled to be part of the 2014 Super Bowl. "To be able to learn from the turf professionals who are responsible for one of the most watched sporting events in the world is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," explains Lenz "It is such an honor to have been selected to participate in this program."

Lenz is scheduled to graduate from Iowa State University in May of 2014, and has been an integral part of the Iowa State University Facilities and Grounds Department since early 2012. Maintaining Jack Trice Stadium, four practice fields and the brand new softball, soccer, and track complex has been big part of his experience at Iowa State. Prior to his work at Iowa State, he maintained playing surfaces at Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Iowa, and worked as part of the grounds crew at Ames Golf & Country Club in Ames, Iowa. To be considered for the program, applicants had to undergo a comprehensive application process. Thanks to his experience and ambition to pursue a career in turf management, Lenz was selected from a large pool of talented candidates.

Dale Getz, CSFM, sports fields and grounds sales manager at Toro, explains the idea behind the program. "The NFL and Toro are continuing to show their dedication to the future of the industry by providing this high-level training and experience during one of the most-watched sporting events in the world," he says. "This level of exposure to the industry can ensure that emerging turf professionals have an opportunity to develop their skills."

This is the 12th year that Toro and the NFL have provided this opportunity for students in the field of turf management.

* Super Bowl is a registered trademark of the NFL.

About The Toro Company
The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of innovative turf, landscape, rental and construction equipment, and irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions. With sales of more than $2 billion in fiscal 2013, Toro's global presence extends to more than 90 countries through strong relationships built on integrity and trust, constant innovation and a commitment to helping customers enrich the beauty, productivity and sustainability of the land. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands to help customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties and agricultural fields.www.toro.com.

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Iowa State University student to assist in preparation for NFL's biggest game
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