Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
When John Sorochan accepted a role at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, there were only two turfgrass classes offered. Twenty-four years later, Sorochan and other passionate faculty experts have built the university’s Turfgrass Science and Management program into one of the top programs in the US, with a 100 percent job placement rate for its students.
The program is so well respected that FIFA, soccer’s governing body, chose to collaborate with UT in a first-of-its-kind research project to develop the safest and most consistent natural turfgrass pitches possible for FIFA World Cup 26.
Sorochan is a world-renowned turfgrass scientist who has shared his expertise with major sports organizations including the NFL, MLB, and the English Premier League. Faculty at UT are dedicated to seeing students in the program succeed—something Sorochan embodies as Distinguished Professor. Through his vast professional network, Sorochan connects students with hands-on experience that equips them for success in the field. Several graduate students have been involved in the research collaboration with FIFA.
Learn more about John Sorochan: torchbearer.utk.edu/2025/12/deep-roots
Explore the turfgrass research for FIFA World Cup 26: utk.edu/turfgrass
================
Go Vols!
#utknoxville is on your favorite social media channels:
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/utknoxville
X: twitter.com/UTKnoxville
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/UTKnoxville
See what’s happening at https://www.utk.edu.
When John Sorochan accepted a role at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, there were only two turfgrass classes offered. Twenty-four years later, Sorochan and other passionate faculty experts have built the university’s Turfgrass Science and Management program into one of the top programs in the US, with a 100 percent job placement rate for its students.
The program is so well respected that FIFA, soccer’s governing body, chose to collaborate with UT in a first-of-its-kind research project to develop the safest and most consistent natural turfgrass pitches possible for FIFA World Cup 26.
Sorochan is a world-renowned turfgrass scientist who has shared his expertise with major sports organizations including the NFL, MLB, and the English Premier League. Faculty at UT are dedicated to seeing students in the program succeed—something Sorochan embodies as Distinguished Professor. Through his vast professional network, Sorochan connects students with hands-on experience that equips them for success in the field. Several graduate students have been involved in the research collaboration with FIFA.
Learn more about John Sorochan: torchbearer.utk.edu/2025/12/deep-roots
Explore the turfgrass research for FIFA World Cup 26: utk.edu/turfgrass
================
Go Vols!
#utknoxville is on your favorite social media channels:
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/utknoxville
X: twitter.com/UTKnoxville
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/UTKnoxville
See what’s happening at https://www.utk.edu.
