Longtime Texas A&M athletics staff member and highly decorated field managerpassed away at his home in College Station earlier today.Goertz, born Aug. 5, 1960, started his association with Aggie athletics in 1978 as a student baseball trainer and manager working with legendary Coach Tom Chandler and under the tutelage of Aggie and training mentor Billy Pickard.Goertz continued to be the man responsible for the pristine playing surface at Olsen Field as Mark Johnson succeeded Coach Chandler and Johnson went on to become the winningest Aggie baseball coach. Goertz has remained close to current Aggie head coachand to all Aggie baseball players who have come through Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park since 1978.A native of New Braunfels, Goertz graduated from Texas A&M in 1985 and later that year was honored by Diamond Dry Collegiate Baseball as the Groundskeeper of the Year, and then was honored again by the Beam Clay Company in 1987.In 1996, Goertz was named the athletic field manager for the entire Aggie athletics department including Kyle Field.In 1997, Goertz and the softball grounds crew were awarded the Turface National Fast Pitch Coaches Association field of the year award at the regional level. They won the same award in 1999, but at the national level. The year 2000 brought them the honor of The College Soccer Field of the Year Award by the STMA (Sports Turf Managers Association). In 2004, the field crew won the Sports Turf Managers Association Football Field of the Year Award and the NFCA Regional Softball Field of the Year.Called upon to speak at many teaching situations, Goertz hired outstanding assistants and students who have gone on to become groundskeepers across the country. One of his greatest joys was passing along his knowledge to younger turf grass students.Goertz worked with Aggie football helping move the equipment from College Station to road games, and making sure the coaches' phones worked properly.Goertz was honored by the Aggie athletics department as the March 2014 Teammate of the Month for his dedication and excellence with the department.Goertz served as an older brother or father figure for the Diamond Darlings, always making sure they were treated with respect and kindness around Olsen Field. Umpires for many years have depended on Goertz to provide up to the minute weather updates which allowed games to be played and Goertz responded by always treating the men in blue with respect and anything they needed in their dressing room.An avid baseball cap collector, Goertz was a former umpire and enjoyed playing golf when he had a chance.Funeral arrangements are pending.