Whether you have attended a sporting event in the fall or spring anywhere on one of the RSU 14 campuses, you have seen the results of the work of Grounds Coordinator Michael DiDonato and his crew of Jacob Gardiner, Alan Hodgdon, Tom Gumble and Phil Swan.
They make sure the variety of playing surfaces within the district are ready when it comes time for the teams to hit the field.
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| Windham High School's stadium field is managed year-round by RSU 14 Grounds Coordinator Michael DiDonato and his team of groundskeepers. Even during the off-season, DiDonato and the team ensures these fields are well cared for so that when the outdoor sports start, the fields are ready for play. PHOTO BY PAT MOODY |
In addition, DiDonato has painted the start and finish lines for the Beach to Beacon race, the field hockey logo at Boston College, and the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl.
“On the athletic field side of things my main focus is providing safe, aesthetically pleasing, and properly lined athletic fields,” said DiDonato. “When you're an athlete you do not see the behind the scenes work it takes to prepare a field for an athletic event. I have a whole new appreciation for the work that is done when no one is around.”
He works closely with RSU 14 Facilities Director, Property Services and Special Projects Bill Hansen to keep turf surfaces maintained while striping parking lots and roadways, snow removal, mowing, weed whacking, tree work and maintaining garden beds.
“It is great to have Mike part of the RSU 14 Facilities staff.” said Hansen. “He is an expert in ... turf maintenance, so the fields are always in great condition. He is a team player working alongside his staff in all types of weather conditions. The dedicated grounds staff consistently produces fields and grounds for the RSU that are in excellent condition and Mike's leadership is one reason why.”
A lot goes into rehabilitating the turf surfaces during the off seasons; aerating, slit seeding, mowing, fertilizing. DiDonato and his team are always working toward the next season while currently maintaining the turf in the present season. In late spring, they are working toward fall and in the fall, they are getting ready for spring.
In the winter, DiDonato and his team are responsible for clearing sidewalks and salting as needed. DiDonato also plans out field maintenance, provides the facilities director with a budget and meets with vendors they may need to line up for special projects during the summer, like refinishing the tennis courts or resurfacing and painting the track.
RSU 14 Grounds Assistant Jacob Gardiner said DiDonato’s knowledge makes a big difference when they’re setting up a field, or growing grass or aerating; DiDonato sees the big picture, is a top-notch guy
and they are lucky to have him on the team.
In 2000, DiDonato graduated from Westbrook High School. When he was home from college, he worked part-time as summer help maintaining the Westbrook athletic fields. It was here he fell in love with an outdoor office.
While he was in school for Exercise Physiology, he learned a lot from mentor Lance Tibbetts in the turf industry and decided that was his calling.
“I started working on my pesticide license, becoming part of associations, locally and nationally as well as taking courses in turf,” said DiDonato. “You learn a lot about the science of turf by doing than what you could ever learn from a book. Mother Nature has her own course, and we have to adapt every day, every season, every year.”
In 2004 he became a Sports Turf Manager for the city of Westbrook. In 2007, he became a Certified Sports Turf Manager. He took a position at Windham from 2007 to 2018 and later accepted a Sports Turf Specialties position in Massachusetts. He came back to Windham in 2020.
“If you go to other campuses around Southern Maine, you’re not going to find facilities that are ... maintained the way that ours are,” said RSU 14 Athletic Director Rich Drummond. “Mike and his crew take a lot of pride in putting in the time and the effort and the resources to make our facilities the best possible playing conditions for the kids. I’ve worked at three large schools and by far Mike is the best at his trade that I’ve seen. Mike and his team play a huge role in our teams and our successes.”
According to DiDonato, he is a family guy and enjoys spending time with his wife and son. His wife is Windham varsity field hockey coach Cory DiDonato; he enjoys going to her games. He said that he likes seeing his son excel in academics; be a good human and play sports. He also enjoys going to Windham football and soccer games.
When he’s not on a field, DiDonato enjoys hiking, working around the house, spending time with friends and golfing. <
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