MSU turf students at the 2026 Student Icebreaker
Icebreaker at Hancock Turfgrass Research Center
The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Student Relations Committee (MTF-SRC), Committee Chairman Adam Palmatier, SRC Directors, the MTF Executive Director, along with MTF Board Members and Supplier Volunteers participated at the MSU Turfgrass “Student Icebreaker” event. The event was held on September 17, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center on the campus of Michigan State University.
For those unfamiliar with the MSU Turfgrass “Student Icebreaker, it is a team-building experience designed to welcome all turfgrass students to the program and encourage interaction with MSU faculty, MSU staff, MTF and industry professionals.
Under the guidance of MSU turf professors and the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center staff, students were organized into teams and participated in fun competitions that included chipping, putting, and a closest-to-the-pin contest. MTF was proud to support this event by assisting with student engagement, welcoming activities, contest judging, and hospitality. They provided a hot dog barbecue with refreshments, and prizes were awarded to all the contest winners with assistance from MiGCSA. The MTF-SRC also provided 70 welcome bags presented to the students in attendance, filled with promotional items and gift cards donated by various industry partners.
The MSU Turfgrass “Student Icebreaker” helped demonstrate the strength and support of the turfgrass community and welcomed the next generation of turfgrass professionals to Michigan State University. Go Green!
The MTF extends a huge thank you to the following industry partners who generously donated to this year’s MSU Turfgrass Student Icebreaker welcome bags:
Carleton Bobcat / King Equipment Group; City of Livonia Golf Division/TJW Inc.; College Fields Golf Club; Country Oaks Landscape Supply; D & B Landscaping, Inc.; DeBucks Sod Farm; Fendt Building Supply; Harrells; MiGCSA; MTF; Osburn Industries; Red Lava; Rock Bottom Stone Supply / Heritage Landscape Supply Group; Troy Clogg Landscape Associates; Weingartz.