Bergstrom Names Astros Director of Field Operations

Lincoln ? The Lincoln Saltdogs and University of Nebraska announced Monday that Dan Bergstrom, the Athletic Turf Manager for both the Saltdogs and Husker baseball teams, has accepted the Director of Field Operations position with the Houston Astros Major League baseball team.

"It’s very exciting to be going to Houston," Bergstrom said. "We’ve got about three weeks to get ready for the season, so it’ll be here before I know it."

Bergstrom said even with the big league opportunity, it was tough to leave Lincoln.

"I’ve loved my time in Lincoln. I never would have left for a different minor league job, and not even for all Major League jobs. Lincoln is a great place to be."

Bergstrom will be in charge of the grounds at Minute Maid Park, a $250-million dollar facility opened in the spring of 2000. The first scheduled contest at the park in 2004 will be on April 2, when the Kansas City Royals will take on the Astros in an exhibition game. This summer will be a busy one for Bergstrom, as the Astros will also host the Major League Baseball All-Star game on July 13.

Nebraska Head Baseball Coach Mike Anderson thanked Bergstrom for his service to the Husker program over the past three years, and wished him the best in his newest challenge.

"We are tremendously excited for Dan Bergstrom to take the have the opportunity to join the big leagues with the Houston Astros. This opportunity has been earned by his great efforts and contributions to the University of Nebraska. We consider Dan to be an extended member of our coaching staff, and he will be missed by our staff and players. We wish him and his wife Krista success in his new job with the Astros."

Bergstrom has been the Athletic Turf Manager at Haymarket Park since it opened in 2001, handing the maintenance of the baseball and softball fields, as well as the landscaping efforts of the 33-acre complex

In 2003, Hawks Field was chosen as the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Baseball Field of the Year in the College/University Division and was selected as the best playing surface in the Northern League by a vote of the league’s coaches for the third straight season (2001-02-03).

Bergstrom came to Lincoln after spending five years at the University of Kentucky, where he maintained all varsity athletic fields. In 1999, UK’s Cliff Hagan Stadium won the STMA College Diamond-of-the-Year award for best collegiate baseball field. Before working at UK, he spent two years with the Cleveland Browns. Bergstrom is a 1995 graduate of Iowa State University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in horticulture and turf management.

-- Huskers --