Michael Hopkins is a two-time winner of the Sports Turf Managers Association "Field of the Year" award. His second prize was presented for his work with the football and soccer field known as The Jungle at Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va.

Probably for the first time ever, a sports turf manager was featured in Sports Illustrated's seminal "Faces in the Crowd" section.

Michael Hopkins of Louisa, Va., earned that distinction recently for his work as sports turf manager and turfgrass science instructor at Louisa County High School.

"Faces in the Crowd" has been a weekly column in Sports Illustrated since January 9, 1956. Glenn Gray of Buffalo Communications reported that to the magazine's knowledge, this is the first time they have included a sports turf manager in the section.

The main reason why Hopkins was recognized was because he won his second Sports Turf Managers Association "Field of the Year" award for his work with The Jungle at Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va. Shortly after receiving the honor in late November, he announced his retirement. Hopkins had spent the last 23 years at Louisa County High School.