{"id":360,"date":"2025-11-01T13:15:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T17:15:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utk-stg.utk.edu\/turfgrass\/?page_id=360"},"modified":"2026-06-18T21:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T01:00:00","slug":"team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/utk-dev.utk.edu\/turfgrass\/team\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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UT\u2019S
Turfgrass Experts<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\"\"\n\n\n\n

Get to know the turfgrass research scientists and students from the University of Tennessee who have devoted years to developing the safest pitches for FIFA World Cup 26.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Expertise and experience: John Sorochan leads UT turfgrass team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A top expert in turfgrass management, Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management John Sorochan is leading a team of researchers at the University of Tennessee to ensure that the pitches at FIFA World Cup 26 are high quality, safe, and consistent. His team is charged with developing, installing, and managing 16 pitches and dozens of training fields across Canada, Mexico, and the United States for the most-watched sporting event in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John is at the forefront of testing and technology in the turf industry. He unites his extensive knowledge of everything from turf maintenance to player-surface biomechanics to such a depth that it empowers grounds managers with detailed and, most importantly, relatable information. FIFA made an inspired choice when it chose John to lead their World Cup research initiative.<\/p>Paul Ashcroft<\/strong>
head of horticulture and playing surface operations for Arsenal FC, English Premier League<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sorochan has more than 30 years of experience in turfgrass science, beginning with his days as an undergraduate student at Michigan State University. There, he worked on a team that was installing the first natural grass field in a domed stadium for the 1994 FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup. A smart suggestion he offered to simplify the assembly and transportation of the field caught the attention of his professors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, in a full-circle moment, he is commanding attention on a global scale by leading a first-of-its-kind five-year research project in collaboration with FIFA to produce pitches that play safely and consistently across multiple climatic zones and stadium types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sorochan\u2019s academic research focuses on optimizing turfgrass performance for sports fields, golf courses, and other high-traffic areas, exploring innovations in grass resilience, pest management, and sustainable maintenance practices. He has worked with professional organizations like the NFL Players Association and Major League Baseball and with soccer clubs around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Young\n\n\n\n

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Watch this video to learn more about UT’s collaboration with FIFA for the World Cup 26.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

John Sorochan consults with stadium staff at Estadio Monterrey before FIFA Club World Cup 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The impact of this collaboration with FIFA will produce far-ranging benefits for athletes at all levels\u2014from the professional ranks down to youth leagues\u2014and for the $60 billion-plus turfgrass industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDiscover more about what makes John Sorochan the best in his field<\/a>\n\n\n\nGet in touch with John Sorochan<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Turfgrass research team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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