Michael Goatley

Michael Goatley is Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist in the Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences Department at Virginia Tech. He received a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Kentucky and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. Goatley was a faculty member for 16 years in the Golf and Sports Turf Management program at Mississippi State University before his arrival at Virginia Tech in 2004. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Sports Turf Managers Association and as the board advisor to the Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association and Virginia Turfgrass Council. Goatley received STMA's William H. Daniel Founders Award in 2008. His research and outreach programs emphasize turfgrass variety evaluations, urban nutrient management, and reduced input management programs. His research on varieties, fertility, and cultural management programs in bermudagrass has resulted in the conversion of many Virginia athletic fields from cool-season to improved bermudagrass turfs. While he gladly serves all components of the turfgrass management industry, he takes particular pride in assisting sports turf managers in delivering a quality, safe playing surface regardless of their facility size, their training, and/or their budget. If a ball is involved in a sport he has probably tried to play it and is likely a fan; his passion, however, is Kentucky Wildcat basketball. He resides in Blacksburg, VA with his wife, Lisa, and children Rachel and Adam.