TYLER -- Irwin Field at UT Tyler has been named the Field of the Year by the Texas Turfgrass Association in the baseball division.  The Patriots have called Irwin Field home since the 2005 season, winning seven American Southwest Conference East-Division championships.

Weston Floyd, head groundskeeper at UT Tyler since has won several awards since joining the Patriots' staff in 2006, including the 2008 Softball Field of the Year and the Pioneer Field of Excellence last year for the baseball field.

"It is a real honor to work at a university that has such wonderful facilities", said Floyd.  "Not only is it an honor to receive such a prestigious award, it is a great opportunity for others to see what UT Tyler has to offer."

Since 1947, TTA has provided education and research for the turfgrass industry in Texas. TTA’s members work together to improve and advance the professional standards for those working in the turfgrass industry.

Bob and Mary Irwin contributed $1.2 million towards the construction of the field in 2005, and since then, the Patriots have won two ASC Championships and seven east-division crowns.

You can see the UT Tyler baseball team and the "Field of the Year" in the season-opener on Friday, February 15 against Hardin-Simmons.