Behind the Scenes: George Strait at Kyle Field
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – When George Strait took the stage at Texas A&M University’s Kyle Field, a dedicated facilities management team ensured a flawless experience for thousands of fans behind the scenes.
Clayton Gummo, head of facilities management, led the team of 18 full-time employees and numerous trade and specialty contractors. This team handled everything from lighting to food service equipment, all while enhancing the spectator experience.
Concert Readiness and Operations
As the concert date approached, the team clocked countless extra hours to ensure every detail was accounted for.
Gummo’s goal was for spectators to focus solely on the performance, with his team’s efforts remaining invisible. “We don’t want spectators to think about anything other than the product on the field,” Gummo emphasized.
One of the key considerations of the concert was the impact it could have on Kyle Field’s turf. The turf is typically replaced every two to five years. Being that the turf was already six years old, Gummo insisted to Texas A&M University that replacing it should be part of the concert deal, ensuring a fresh playing field for the upcoming football season.
The teardown process began after the concert Saturday night and concluded by Monday evening.
“There was a turnover with the George Strait show; there was an impact. The facility management there planned it well. He had enough wherewithal and foresight to say, we can do this, we can do anything you want, but this sod is going to have to be replaced,” said Chris McCall, program director, of the Department of Construction Science’s Facilities Management minor program.
Educational Opportunities
Texas A&M University offers a facilities management minor for students interested in the field. The program offers hands-on learning opportunities and prepares students for careers in the field, enabling them to learn from real-world scenarios such as the George Strait concert.
