Athletic Management 24.4

June/July 2012

Vol. XXIV, No. 4

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Contents June/July 2012

Vol. XXIV, No. 4

WARMUP

7 High School News

Soccer athletes forced to choose

7 Marketing

How to use Pinterest

11 Finances

Phasing out funding

12 Coaching Education Setting up online training

16 Fundraising

On-field advertising

37

43

28

COVER STORY

Most college athletic departments construct strategic plans. A few are doing so in bold and innovative ways.

37

FUNDRAISING

To ensure gender equity in fundraising, some schools are merging their team-specific booster clubs into one. Making the idea work takes parent buy-in and a spirit of everyone working together.

43

NEW MEDIA

All in the Plan

In It Together

Self-Made Van

The College of Charleston is proving that you don’t have to be a D-I powerhouse to get all your games broadcast on HD television. What you do need is vision and a van.

49

LEADERSHIP

11

Captain Courageous

Q&A

19 Brenda Hampton Iowa Western Community College

Being a successful athletic director means conquering new challenges every day.

The advice in this article can help ensure smooth sailing.

GAMEPLANS

55

FACILITIES

Open Door Policy

Looking for a way to boost revenue and community relations in one fell swoop?

One solution is opening your fitness facility to the public.

62

PRODUCT NEWS

Fitness Facilities

Our product section focuses on fitness facilities, washers and dryers, and equipment storage, as well as what’s new in the industry. You can also preview exhibitors at the NACDA and AEMA conventions.

On the cover University of Maryland athletic administrators have been working for the past two years on a new strategic plan. We talk to them and others in our cover story, starting on page 28.

PHOTO BY GREG FIUME

23 Job Descriptions for Coaches

By David Paling 26 Partnering on Fundraising

By Earl W. Edwards

72 Advertisers Directory 76 Web Site Directory 80 Next Stop: Web Site AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 1

Editorial Board VOL. XXIV, NO. 4

JUNE/JULY 2012

Elizabeth “Betsy” A. Alden, PhD, President, Alden & Associates, Inc. Craig Bogar, EdD, Dean of Student Services/Instructor, United States Sports Academy

PUBLISHER Mark Goldberg

Dan Cardone, Athletic Director, North Hills High School, Pa. James Conn, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Health & Human Performance, Central Missouri State University Robert Corran, PhD, Director of Athletics, University of Vermont James Cox, Facilities and Events Coordinator and Adjunct Professor, Barry University Joan Cronan, Women’s Athletic Director, University of Tennessee Roger Crosley, Coordinator of Athletic Operations, Emerson College

EDITOR IN CHIEF Eleanor Frankel ASSOCIATE EDITORS Dennis Read, Abigail Funk ASSISTANT EDITORS RJ Anderson, Patrick Bohn, Mike Phelps, Kristin Maki ART DIRECTOR Pamela Crawford

Bernie DePalma, Head Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist, Cornell University Tom Douple, Commissioner, Mid-Continent Conference Jay Gardiner, Director of Athletics, Oglethorpe University Dale Gibson, EdD, Chair, Dept. of Education and Sport Management, Tusculum College Tom Gioglio, EdD, Director of Athletics, East Stroudsburg University Mike Glazier, Partner, Bond, Schoeneck & King Steve Green, Deputy Director of Athletics, Northwestern University Kevin Hatcher, Athletic Director, Cal State San Bernardino Phillip Hossler, ATC, Athletic Trainer, East Brunswick High School, N.J. E. Newton Jackson, Jr., PhD, Associate Provost, University of North Florida

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR David Dubin CIRCULATION MANAGER Sandra Earle PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Maria Bise GRAPHIC ARTIST Trish Landsparger PREPRESS MANAGER Neal Betts

MADE IN USA

BUSINESS MANAGER Pennie Small SPECIAL PROJECTS Natalie Couch, Dave Wohlhueter ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Sharon Barbell

Dick Kemper, CMAA, Executive Director, Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association

MARKETING DIRECTOR Sheryl Shaffer

Bob Knickerbocker, Athletic Equipment Coordinator, Michigan State University

AD MATERIALS COORDINATOR Mike Townsend

John Knorr, EdD, Professor of Kinesiology, former Director of Athletics, St. Edward’s University Donald Lowe, MA, ATC, Chairman of the Board, College Athletic Trainers' Society Robert Mathner, PhD, Assistant Professor, Sport Management, Troy University Tim Neal, Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine, Syracuse University Fred Nuesch, Coordinator of Athletic External Affairs, Texas A&M-Kingsville Jamie Plunkett, Head Athletic Trainer, Allegheny College Chris Ritrievi, Vice President of Development, Indiana University

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Matthew J. Robinson, EdD, Associate Professor/Director of Sport Management Program, University of Delaware Calli Theisen Sanders, EdD, Senior Associate Athletics Director, Iowa State University Terry Schlatter, EMC, Equipment Manager, University of Wisconsin Tim Slauter, CMAA, Assistant Principal, West Lafayette High School, Ind. Michael Slive, Commissioner, Southeastern Conference Donald Staffo, PhD, Dept. Chair, Health, Phys. Ed., & Rec., Stillman College Ellen Staurowsky, EdD, Professor of Sport Management, Drexel University William F. Stier, Jr., EdD, Director of Sport Management/ Coor­­dinator of Sport Coaching, State University of New York at Brockport Lou Strasberg, University Travel Coordinator, The University of Memphis E. Michael Stutzke, CMAA, Athletic Director, Sebastian River High School, Fla. Michael Thomas, Director of Athletics, University of Illinois

Athletic Management (ISSN 1554-2033) is published bimonthly for a total of 6 times a year, by MAG, Inc., 20 Eastlake Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14850. Athletic Management is distributed without charge to qualified high school and collegiate athletic program and athletic facilities personnel. The paid subscription rate is $24 for one year/six issues in the United States and $30.00 in Canada. The single copy price is $7. Copyright ©2012 by MAG, Inc. All rights reserved. Text may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without permission of the publisher.

Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Periodicals postage paid at Ithaca, NY, and additional mailing offices.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Athletic Management, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, NY 14852-4806.

Randy Warrick, Athletic Director, University of South Carolina at Aiken William Whitehill, EdD, ATC, Director, Athletic Training Curriculum, Middle Tennessee State University Sister Lynn Winsor, BVM, CMAA, Athletic Director, Xavier College Preparatory, Ariz.

Tom Yeager, Commissioner, Colonial Athletic Association

2 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

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GATORADE SPORTS SCIENCE INSTITUTE NUTRITION FOR THE INJURED ATHLETE When the body is repairing and recovering from an injury, the biological needs of the injured athlete change. In the immediate or acute recovery stage, the athlete should be most concerned about reducing inflammation and soreness, potentially enhancing recovery time from the injury. For a longer term recovery, the athlete should still focus on these factors but should also strive to prevent significant weight gain or loss.

Many athletes become concerned that their muscle will turn into fat while they are inactive. The truth is that muscle may atrophy or lose strength from lack of use or immobilization, but the muscle is not turning into fat.

However, some athletes do gain body fat while they are inactive due to excessive calorie intake, proper nutrition, along with weight management is necessary to support the body throughout the healing process.

The body requires adequate calories to heal. Energy malnutrition can exacerbate the inflammatory response and slow wound healing.

Lisa Heaton, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN GSSI Scientist & Sports Dietitian

VITAMINS AND MINERALS AND HEALING Many vitamins and minerals assist in the healing process, these vitamins include vitamin C, A, K, and B complex as well as minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, and copper. Athletes should focus on consuming these vitamins and minerals through whole food before relying on supplements.

There is no evidence that taking large doses of these vitamins through supplements will speed recovery. Including a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, starches and meats support the intake of these vitamins and minerals through the diet.

NUTRIENTS OF INTEREST The following nutrients are commonly found in various foods, herbs or spices. While further research is needed to fully support their role in healing from an injury, these foods can safely be incorporated into a healthy recovery diet.

Curcumin is a component of the spice turmeric and has displayed antiinflammatory properties.4,5 In certain studies curcumin has demonstrated similar anti-inflammatory properties to common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in both human and murine (rodent) models. This is important because side effects commonly associated with NSAIDs, like gastrointestinal distress, are not present when turmeric is used.6 It’s important to note there has not been a specific link between curcumin and exercise and muscle recovery.

Omega-3 fatty acids have received plenty of attention over the last decade for their healthful properties. Omega-3 fatty acids have displayed anti-inflammatory effects within the body.7 Good sources include fatty fishes such as tuna and salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds. More recently, new evidence has suggested that consuming omega-3 fatty acids can decrease muscle atrophy (or mass/ strength loss) due to immobilization.8,9 Further research needs to be done in this area, especially in athletes, but is a very interesting concept.

ENERGY NEEDS As expected, the energy needs of the athlete decrease when injured compared to in-season training energy needs; however, it is important for the athlete not to excessively restrict calories. The body requires adequate calories to heal. Energy malnutrition can exacerbate the inflammatory response and slow wound healing.2,3 Basal energy expenditure, or the minimum calories the body requires without activity, increases during the healing process, especially in the early stages of healing.

On the other hand, it is important that an athlete dealing with a long-term injury adjusts their diet accordingly. Returning to play can be more difficult if the player needs to focus on both losing excess weight gained as well as strengthening muscle tissues and training. It is common for injured athletes to continue eating the same calorie load as they did while training, resulting in weight gain.

PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS Adequate protein intake is critical for athletes recovering from an injury.

Not consuming enough protein is counterproductive to the healing process and may worsen the inflammatory processes.2,3 This does not mean that an athlete must consume exorbitant amounts of protein or amino acids. When a muscle is immobilized, some strength and muscle mass loss will occur and is natural. Consuming excessive amounts of protein will not prevent this strength loss; however, eating adequate amounts of protein, will support the healing process.

Phytonutrients are compounds found within fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, legumes, tea, wine and chocolate. The colors found in fruits and vegetables are due to the phytonutrients found within them. A few phytonutrients athletes may be familiar with are beta-carotene, lycopene, leutine, and flavonoids. Further research is needed regarding the potential anti-inflammatory and immune boosting effects of these nutrients. An athlete should attempt to consume a rainbow of colors within their diet to consume the vast variety of phytochemicals that exist.

Further information For more information on how to support your recovery with proper nutrition, seek out a registered dietitian who specializes in athletics in your area.

1 Lin E, Kotani JG, Lowry SF. Nutritional modulation of immunity and the inflammatory response.

Nutrition 1998; 14: 545–550.

2 Demling RH. Nutrition, anabolism, and the wound healing process: an overview. Eplasty 2009; 9:e9.

3 Arnold M, Barbul A. Nutrition and wound healing. Plast Reconstr Surg 2006; 117: 42S–58S. 4 Chun KS, Keum YS, Han SS, Song YS, Kim SH, Surh YJ. Curcumin inhibits phorbol ester-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in mouse skin through suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity and NF-kappaB activation. Carcinogenesis 2003; 24: 1515–1524.

5 Kang G, Kong PJ, Yuh YJ, Lim SY, Yim SV, Chun W, Kim SS. Curcumin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression by inhibiting activator protein 1 and nuclear factor kappab bindings in BV2 microglial cells. J Pharm Sci 2004; 94: 325–328.

6 Graumlich JF. Preventing gastrointestinal complications of NSAIDs. Risk factors, recent advances, and latest strategies. Postgrad Med 2001; 109: 117–120, 123–118.

7 Galli C. Calder PC. Effects of fat and fatty acid intake on inflammatory and immune responses: a critical review. Ann Nutr Metab 2009; 55: 123-139.

8 You JS, Park MN, Song W, Lee YS. Dietary fish oil alleviates soleus atrophy during immobilization in association with Akt signaling to p70s6k and E3 ubiquitin ligases in rats. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2010; 35: 310-318 9 Lee HU, Park MN, Lee YS. Effects of Different Types of Dietary Fat on Muscle Atrophy According to Muscle Fiber Types and PPARδ Expression in Hindlimb-Immobilized Rats. Korean J Nutr 2011; 44 (5), 355-365.

FUELING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

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NACDA Booth No. 138

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WarmUp High School News

Academy Expands In February, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced that all of its U.S. Development Academy teams will expand their schedules from seven months to 10, and that academy players will not be allowed to compete for their high school squads, due to concerns about over-training.

This means nearly 4,000 of the best young boys’ soccer players in the nation will be absent from the high school game begining this fall.

The change—which was already in place for 23 of the 78 academy clubs—was made to help prepare players

for the the next level, including the U.S. National Team, by giving them three more months of top level training and competition. “This move is about player development,” says Tony Lepore, Director of Scouting for Boys’ Youth National Teams and Technical Advisor for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. “We want to focus on progresSoccer players like Rece Buckmaster, who competes for both Canterbury High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., and the Indiana United Fire Academy program, are being asked to choose between the two.

When University of Washington sophomore Katie Flood set a school record in the mile this winter,

Marketing

PIn it

the Huskies sports information department made sure to publicize the accomplishment to the local media, on its Web site, and through Twitter and Facebook. Then, they “pinned” her story on Pinterest.

The latest craze in social media, Pinterest.com provides users with a way to post photos and “pin” articles or artwork to a virtual “pinboard.” The site is somewhat similar to Facebook and is known as a forum for sharing items like wedding photos, recipes, and fashion commentary.

Athletic departments are now quickly figuring out how to use Pinterest as a marketing tool.

“We are still getting our feet wet with it and

UW recently pinned this photo collage of its softball team celebrating a win on its Pinterest account.

haven’t yet settled on a firm strategy, but we’ve done a few different things geared toward recruiting and fan service initiatives,” says Carter Henderson, Assistant Athletic Director at Washington, which in February became one of the first college athletic programs to create a presence on the site.

Because Pinterest has a large female user base, Henderson is primarily promoting Washington’s female athletes.

“For example, we were hoping that our piece on Katie Flood might appeal to any number of females,” he says.

“Maybe a runner living in the Seattle area would see it and become interested in our athletic program.

“Another hook is to use the site to recruit women athletes and connect with female family members or friends of male student-athletes we’re recruiting,” continues Henderson.

“If a football recruit’s mother is on Pinterest, she may be interested in a photo gallery that we post.”

›

The University of Washington’s account is at: pinterest.com/ UWAthletics/.

As with any social media initiative, Henderson believes the trick is to appeal to the site’s established audience. “We don’t want to take what we’re doing on Twitter, Facebook, or even our athletics Web site and bring that to Pinterest,” he says. “Instead, we are customizing our message for the Pinterest users, who are more interested in travel and fashion. So we have a lot of material about Seattle as a destination and what our fans are wearing on gameday.

We really want to be authentic to the space while making it all relative to Huskies athletics.”

AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 7

sive improvement to help us compete with the rest of the world. This method provides unquestionable benefits for the elite player in the U.S., and it’s closer to what other nations do.”

But many high school boys’ soccer coaches feel the negatives outweigh the positives and are upset with the expanded program. “U.S. Soccer has decided that it doesn’t value high school soccer,” says Greg Mauch, Head Boys’ Coach at Canterbury High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Boys’ High School Representative to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

“High school athletics are an important part of a young man’s life and many players find it frustrating they are being forced to choose. These players will also find it more difficult to participate in any extra-curricular activities at their high school due to time

AEMA Booth No. 506

constraints. It affects more than just the sport.”

Mauch says the USSF’s move is also leading to some tough conversations as players decide whether to compete for their Development Academy team or their high school squad.

“I’ve spoken to coaches who have players asking them, ‘What should I do?’” he says.

“In some cases, one parent wants him to play for the Academy team, and the other wants him to stay with the high school team.”

Two of Mauch’s players at Canterbury are on Development Academy teams. “Fortunately, they’ve both chosen to stay with my team,” Mauch says. “But I know it was a difficult decision for them, because they love playing for their Academy teams as well.

“As coaches, we want what’s best for our players,” Mauch CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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Most school administrators agree that it’s important to have athletic training coverage.

The problem usually lies in trying to fund the medical care.

The Forsyth County (N.C.) School System has solved this by working out an agreement with two local hospitals to supply certified athletic trainers for the district’s 12 high schools.

“We were pretty needy in terms of medical coverage,” says Forsyth County School System Athletic Director Greg Gentry. “We had doctors from the hospitals at our football games, but that was it. Those doctors saw our need for athletic trainers and made it known to the hospitals. Then

Kelly Kirkpatrick (center) is Athletic Trainer for West Forsyth (N.C.) High School and Forsyth Medical Center.

WarmUp er. They handle all of the policies and procedures of the athletic training program to make sure that the hospitals’ and school system’s procedures are followed,” says Gentry.

“It’s pretty unique that all parties are at the table at the same time, working together.”

the hospitals stepped forward with the idea. Even though the hospitals may compete in other areas, they cooperated very well to help our student-athletes.”

Each high school now has one hospital-employed athletic trainer who works with its student-athletes at daily practices, as well as games and tournaments. The athletic trainers travel to away games only for football and cover both teams during home contests in other sports.

From there, each school principal was given the chance to screen and interview his or her athletic program’s potential athletic trainer before deciding if that person was a good fit for the school, and each hospital provided a coordinator for their six athletic trainers. “The two coordinators interact with me,” Gentry says. “We talk about what events

The schools pay nothing, but in exchange, provide publicity for the hospitals. “We make public broadcasts at every event, and the hospitals get signage at all of the games

Student-Athlete Welfare

Cooperative Coverage have to be covered, and then the coordinators work with the individual athletic trainers.”

and venues,” Gentry says. “We do anything we can to help the community understand what we’re getting from the hospitals.”

For schools that would like to add athletic trainers but lack budgeted dollars, Gentry suggests making sure the need is known. “People understand we’re in a budgetary crisis and there’s a need for student-athletes to have quality care,” he says. “Don’t be hesitant to ask. You’ll be amazed where help may come from—a lot of times it’ll be from people you didn’t even think were interested.”

To determine the exact needs for coverage, an oversight committee was formed, which meets regularly and consists of community doctors, representatives from both hospitals, and administrators from the school system. “This committee looks at the entire program and evaluates the schools’ needs and how everyone involved is going to work togeth-

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Circle No. 105 AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 9

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

continues. “If a studentathlete asks a coach what to do, it’s important we stay as neutral as we can. We don’t want to make the decision for the family, or guilt a player into staying, so the best thing

at this age, are choosing to specialize and are willing to make certain sacrifices to achieve their long-term goals in the sport. And there is another side to this move, one that allows thousands of players to play high school soccer

“We’ve worked for generations to make soccer a part of mainstream high school athletics, and this move starts pulling it out.” we can do is promote what the high school game does for student-athletes while not badmouthing the other side.”

Lepore says the USSF understands this may be a difficult decision for some Development Academy players but feels a majority of them were ready to make this move.

“The Development Academy isn’t for everyone,” he says.

“It’s for the elite players who,

who otherwise wouldn’t have had that opportunity.”

Mauch, however, dislikes the message the change sends to players about where they stand in the U.S. Soccer hierarchy. “It’s incredibly disingenuous to have 4,000 players in the program and say that they’re all on the cusp of the national team,” he says. “In fact, they may not even be on the cusp of NCAA Division I.

Let’s say 50 of them can eventually make the national team.

What are the other 98 percent going to do? They were just practice fodder and they’ll have given up a huge chunk of their high school lives.”

but the Academy has also led to more players going to professional soccer. And there’s no question that the Development Academy is the best environment for promoting that type of growth.”

The problem may become exacerbated in the future because the number of Development Academy teams has more than doubled in recent years. “We’re at 78 now, but who’s to say we won’t be at 156 in a few years?” Mauch says. “If that happens, we’ve taken twice as many kids off of their high school teams.”

Ultimately, Mauch is concerned about the impact this decision will have on the sport as a whole. “Yes, it can help the game grow if, in the long run, we see these players making an impact on the national team,” he says. “But in the short-term, this is a very myopic decision. We’ve worked for generations to make soccer a part of mainstream high school athletics, and this move starts pulling it out.”

Lepore counters that the program shouldn’t be looked at simply through the prism of getting players on the national team. “The Development Academy was started with the goal of helping all players reach their full potential,” he says. “That isn’t exclusive to playing for the national team.

For most of them, it’s college,

Lepore believes those concerns are overstated. “I think the high school game will continue to thrive,” he says.

“There are a lot of different pathways a player can take, and the Development Academy route is just one of them.”

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phasing out funding At many NCAA Division I BCS schools, the gold standard in athletics finances is being self-funded—relying on no institutional dollars to balance the books. But how do you

accomplish this in tough economic times? At Kansas State University, Athletic Director John Currie has put a plan in place to reach that financial pinnacle through a three-year phase-out process.

“One of our department’s five core goals is to provide value to the university, community, and state,” Currie says.

“We’ve been able to increase private support of the athletics program substantially over the past two-and-a-half years and given the needs that exist with any public university, our President, Kirk Schulz, and I felt that we could phase out institutional funding for athletics and allow those dollars to be reinvested into direct university needs.”

In 2010-11, the year prior to the plan being put into place, Kansas State athletics received about $1.5 million from the university. This year, the first of the phase-out, the department received about $1 million, which represents 1.9 percent of its $51.4 million annual budget. In 2012-13, that funding will drop to $750,000, before falling to $350,000 the following year. Effective in 2014-15, the athletic department will no longer receive any dollars directly from the university.

“We implemented an old strategy, which is to make personal calls to new donors and build grassroots support,” Currie says. “We’ve emphasized personal fundraising and building face-to-face relationships.

It’s just a matter of getting our staff out on the streets.”

The efforts have allowed the department to grow national participation in its donor program from just more than 5,000 people a couple years ago to well over 7,000, according to Currie. In addition, K-State’s National Leadership Circle, made up of donors who give more than $10,000, has surpassed 300.

The second part of the strategy has been allowing the athletics budget to be an open book. “We’ve focused on transparency and accountability,” Currie says. “I arrived here in June 2009, and after we developed our first budget, we sent a copy to all of our existing contributors.

Now, I carry cards in my pocket at all times that list our revenues and expenses. I give them out to whoever wants one.

“I think people need to understand how their dollars are being invested,” he continues. “We’ve noticed that has resulted in our fans being very generous.”

Currie has also focused on boosting revenue by increasing ticket sales. He says attendance at athletics events, based on percent of capacity, is in the top 25 nationally in almost every sport. As a public university, he believes

it’s important to cater to all types of fans to keep turnout high.

“We are committed to being accessible to all fans, so we stratify our pricing a lot in both football and basketball,” he says. “In football, we sell season tickets as low as $100.

We want a full house for every game.”

Although the department is only one-third of the way through its three-year plan, Currie believes the decision has already paid dividends.

“It’s been recognized and appreciated,” he says. “We already had a low percentage of our budget coming from university funding, so it wasn’t as big a deal as it would be for some other schools. But it was a symbolic and important step. We have to always remember that athletics is just one unit of the entire university, and every unit has its own role.”

In addition to being diligent about managing expenses, the department is confident it can bring in extra money by further increasing fundraising, which it has been doing consistently since Currie came on board three years ago. Two strategies are working well to reach donors, with the first being to take a step back in time.

To achieve his goal of eliminating the use of institutional dollars to fund athletics, Kansas State University Athletic Director John Currie has reached out to fans in several different ways.

AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 11

WarmUp Coaching Education

Click to train Before upgrading one of its athletic fields, Brooklyn College had to make sure that a group of its most loyal spectators—monk parakeets—would not be harmed by the renovation.

When Brooklyn College decided to renovate an old athletic field, it faced a unique community relations challenge. The facility’s lighting poles had become home to a population of monk parakeets, which had gained rock star status among locals over the years. It was imperative that the birds not be permanently displaced by the field upgrade.

Facilities

save the birds

“There are a number of people in the community and on campus who have a real love for the parakeets, so it was very important for us to accommodate them,” says Jeremy Thompson, Brooklyn’s Senior Director of Communications and Marketing.

With nearly 500 coaches spread across five high schools enrolling 12,000plus students, the AnokaHennepin (Minn.) School District has to work extra hard to ensure everyone involved in athletics is on the same page. One of the

district’s most recent strategies to help keep things standardized has been to put some of its coaches training materials online.

“When you have a district as big as ours, you want to make sure you have a good plan and part of having a good plan is being consistent

in what you’re doing,” says Kelley Scott, Student Activities Director at Coon Rapids High School, and one of the three administrators who developed the online training. “This program gives me some peace of mind knowing we have consistency in our training efforts and that everybody is getting the right message.”

The online training, which coaches can access from their home computers or a school computer lab, consists of four modules: bloodborne pathogens, coaching ethics, harassment and bullying, and

A tropical species, the birds are believed to have been introduced to Brooklyn when they were accidentally released from a ship that originated in Argentina.

They survived, thanks to Brooklyn College’s field, which included platforms attached to the tops of the light poles. The platforms were intended for maintenance use, but the parakeets built nests on them. “As a tropical species, they gravitated toward the light fixtures because of the extra warmth the lights provide,” explains Thompson.

The renovation called for new lights that did not require platforms for maintenance, but the school decided to attach the old platforms to the replacement lights so the birds would still have a home. The college also had to make sure its construction schedule didn’t affect the birds’ habitat during their breeding season or the harsher winter months.

When the light poles were replaced, workers removed the existing nests, with confidence that the birds would rebuild them once the platforms were back in place. Thompson says the parakeets have rebuilt their nests previously when the school had to do work on the old lights.

12 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

Joe Churilla makes a move for Coon Rapids, one of the five high schools in the Anoka-Hennepin (Minn.) School District, which recently implemented online training for all of its coaches.

Brooklyn College(top); david bank studios(bottom)

“Like with most construction projects, one of the first steps in the process was an environmental impact study,” Thompson says. “As part of that study, the birds were taken into account. We scheduled the construction around the birds’ needs.”

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WarmUp district athletic policies. The modules total about 30 minutes and each includes a short quiz the coach has to successfully complete before advancing to the next topic.

others. The entire process took about three months to complete.

“We wanted to cover the topics that are most universal across all sports,” Scott says.

“The program is making coaches more aware of what’s going on throughout the district, and I think they appreciate that.”

To determine what information should be included, Scott worked with Associate Superintendent Jeff McGonigal and the district’s other athletic directors. Joel Milteer, Anoka-Hennepin’s Employee Services Manager, who does similar training programs for the district staff, located a video to use for the bloodborne pathogen module and put together PowerPoint-style slide presentations for the

“If you’re involved in athletics, you’re going to have to deal with blood at some point, and you will need to conduct yourself ethically. Our coaches also need to know our specific district polices that relate to athletics.”

Head and assistant coaches view the same information.

“We wanted to keep things as simple as possible,” Scott says. “It can get confusing if

a head coach has learned one thing and assistants another.

We also tried to keep the modules short because if you stop one before it’s finished, you have to start again from the beginning.”

“But once they use it, they see it’s not that difficult or time consuming. It’s making them more aware of what’s going on throughout the district, and I think they appreciate that.”

All paid coaches are required to complete the online training once every year, and athletic directors at each school can track their coaches’ progress through the administrative part of the system.

“Because we make changes to our policies and introduce new ones every year, this will ensure our coaches are up to date,” Scott says.

The online process is not meant to replace all other training efforts. Head coaches still have to be certified by the Minnesota State High School League and each school has its own handbook that coaches are responsible for following.

The program debuted in January, and although a few coaches were skeptical, Scott says he was pleased with the overall response. “Right now in education, there’s a lot of testing and training, so once in a while you’ll get a coach who says, ‘You’re just piling another thing on our plates,’” he says.

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Scott says administrators will sit down over the summer and decide what changes should be made before the start of the fall sports season.

“I doubt we put together a perfect program,” he says.

“But to bring about change you need to have a starting point. Then you evaluate and grow it from there and try to make the process as user friendly as possible.”

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WarmUp Policies & Procedures

double play Scan the rosters of teams at McDaniel College and you’ll see a lot of names repeated. However, it’s not just coincidence that there are many multi-sport athletes at the school. It’s part of a plan put in place by first-year Director of Athletics Paul Moyer.

“The [NCAA] Division III philosophy calls for us to advocate for involvement across the board—and that includes multi-sport participation. It’s something I really believe in,” Moyer says. “It can also give us a competitive advantage because our combination of academics and strong athletics allows us to attract student-athletes who may have enough talent to compete

at Division I, but are drawn to the Division III experience where they can pursue multiple interests.

“A lot of these kids want to be involved in more than one sport and feel like they can leave the Division I dream behind because of the opportunities at McDaniel,” he continues. “They’re bright kids who realize they’re not going to play at the professional level, so pursuing two or more athletic interests is a great tradeoff.”

This year, Moyer promoted his idea of multi-sport participation by talking to coaches and student-athletes about it. Next year, he will institute a formal policy that prohibits coaches from interfering if

As part of the changes to NFHS football rules that will go into effect in 2012-13, schools will be allowed to place advertisements directly on their fields, as long as the messages do not obstruct yard lines or hash marks. Previously, advertisements could only be positioned in the end zones and outside the field.

How should schools decide whether or not to pursue this opportunity? At Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, Ariz., the idea will be carefully considered before a decision is made.

“I believe the rule change could allow another way to promote fundraising and help with financial cutbacks,” says Pinnacle High School Athletic Director Corey Newland.

“However, it is going to be a long process to get the logistics established.”

Currently, end zone and scoreboard spaces at Pinnacle are offered in corporate sponsor-

16 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

athletes want to play multiple sports. While the new focus was instantly popular with the school’s athletes, Moyer says the idea has taken some getting used to for a few McDaniel coaches, although they are coming around to it.

“It’s very difficult for coaches to see their best athletes, in most cases, want to participate beyond their specific sport,” he says. “The coach feels like the athlete is leaving something on the table if he or she doesn’t join their teammates in off-season workouts or their sport-specific strength and conditioning program.

“I tell coaches that first of all, it’s not about ‘your’ team and having to share athletes with another coach, it’s about max-

Fundraising

imizing each student-athlete’s experience,” Moyer continues.

“And two, this is an opportunity for the athletes to test themselves at higher levels during another competitive season, which is more beneficial to their development than if they are just working out in an off-season program.

Lastly, we emphasize that because we have such bright student-athletes, they can get it done. They can learn a playbook for one team while adhering to another coach’s practice schedule.”

One student-athlete who exemplifies the new multi-sport focus is Woody Butler, a 6-8, 240-pound senior who was a tight end on the football team and a basketball center. Late this winter, Butler decided to give track and field a try for the first time and medaled in the high jump at the Centennial

On-Field Ads

ship packages through the school’s booster club. “The club has offered this type of advertising for about five years,” Newland says. “To get it started, parents worked with the head football coach to promote the vision of the program, and

the sponsorship packages have evolved over time.

“The community response to these ads has been positive,” he continues. “As school budgets have shrunk recently, many businesses and companies want to assist students and the school.”

Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, Ariz., currently places corporate sponsor messages in the end zone and scoreboard areas of its football stadium. New NFHS rules will also allow advertisements on the playing field.

Deciding whether to expand its current advertising onto the playing field will take time and discussion. “It would be an in-depth process,” Newland says. “We would definitely get input from the booster clubs, but ultimately it would be a district decision.

We would have to consider logistics, as well as all the sports that currently use the facility—not just football. It is important to make sure that we are focusing on the entire program and not just one or two sports.”

Conference indoor championship meet.

david sinclair/mcdaniel college

With athletes fully on board, Moyer says he’s seen his coaches slowly adapt and buy into the philosophy. “For example, some of our coaches were recently interviewing coaches for a couple of vacancies and one question they asked of every candidate was, ‘What do you think about dual sport athletes?’” says Moyer. “That tells me a culture of multi-sport participation is blossoming among our coaches. And once that culture is established, it becomes self-perpetuating because everybody sees the benefits.”

McDaniel College studentathlete Woody Butler took advantage of the school’s new multi-sport emphasis by participating in track and field for the first time this past winter.

He placed third in the high jump at the conference meet.

Moyer is excited about one more positive impact of the new directive. “A cool byproduct of this philosophy has been that I see more athletes going to other teams’ games,” he says. “When you know somebody as a teammate and you’ve gone through a season with them, you’re going to go cheer for them when they’re playing another sport. If we have a lacrosse player who is also playing field hockey, we see the entire lacrosse team go to a field hockey game to cheer their teammate on.

“The bonds between athletes are the lifeblood of our program,” he adds. “There is always going to be some disagreements between coaches, and that’s okay, because at the end of the day we’re all competitive people. But if the student-athletes are having a better experience, and our events have a little more RACH90h excitement, that’s a great thing.”

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Circle No. 111

Q & A

Brenda Hampton IOWA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

AM: What do you enjoy most about the junior college setting?

Toward the end of her 15-year run as Head Volleyball Coach at Iowa Western Community College, Brenda Hampton thought it would be tough to give up her seat on the sidelines.

Now, 10 years into her tenure as the school’s Athletic Director, Hampton can’t imagine going back.

As volleyball coach, Hampton compiled a 504-199 record, guiding the Reivers to a dozen 30-win seasons and three trips to the NJCAA championships from 1999 to 2001. In her final eight years of coaching, she also served as assistant athletic director.

Since becoming Athletic Director, Hampton has expanded the athletic department from five sports to its current offering of 19. During the 201011 school year, 17 of those teams participated in their respective national tournaments and Iowa Western finished third in the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup standings.

Hampton is very involved on the national level, serving as Women’s Director for NJCAA Region XI and recently completing a two-year term on the NJCAA Executive Committee.

She also serves as Secretary on the Executive Board of NATYCAA. In this interview, Hampton discusses her strategy for adding new teams, the challenges of working at the junior college level, and how she has developed great working relationships with upper-level administrators.

Iowa Western’s softball squad has posted 40-plus wins and been named an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year each of the past five seasons.

Hampton: There are a lot of athletes who get overlooked by four-year colleges, and we provide them with an opportunity. Even for athletes who do have a chance to play at the NCAA Division I level, a lot of them come this route because they know they’ll get playing time right away as freshmen.

Specific to Iowa Western, I like that we have a president, Dr. Dan Kinney, who is a big supporter of athletics. There are a lot of junior colleges that have only a handful of sports and might excel in just one or two.

But across the board, all of our sports are successful. We have that reputation now, so student-athletes want to come here.

What has allowed the department to achieve success in so many sports?

We have been able to provide good practice and playing facilities, and we just built a brand new student center with a cafeteria and bookstore. We also have on-campus

housing for more than 1,000 students. Those things all contribute to our success in being able to recruit.

The other key is that I’m full time as an athletic director, so I can commit all my energy to the program. All my head coaches are also full time. That’s not typical at most junior colleges and has been huge for us.

With many colleges cutting teams, how has Iowa Western been able to more than triple its offerings in the last decade?

Dr. Kinney sees the value in having a successful athletic program and how it will increase enrollment for the college. He got our board of trustees to understand this and then we systematically started adding sports. One goal he had was to add a football program, but we didn’t do that right away. We started with soccer, track, and golf, and then we headed down the football route.

Once we began the process to add football, the start-up costs were 100-percent covered by donations. We have a group of people we call the Football Founders who contributed dollars to start the sport. The first year we built two full-size practice fields and ordered uniforms and equipment—all paid for by the Football Founders.

Now that we have more than 150 students enrolled who participate in football, their tuition and fees sustain the program.

We did the same thing with wrestling. The University of NebraskaOmaha dropped wrestling, so there was no college wrestling program within 150-200 miles of here. The Wrestling Founders stepped forward and paid for the equipment needed to get wrestling started.

Adding sports means hiring coaches. What do you look for in candidates?

A coach here needs to understand the importance of academics.

One of our goals is to transfer our athletes on to four-year schools, and if they’re not reaching their academic goals and progressing toward graduation, which will enable them to transfer, then we’re not doing our jobs.

Junior college teams also have a very high turnover rate, so the coaches here have to be very driven and ambitious in recruitAthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 19

ing—you almost have to recruit your whole team every year. Coaches have to be willing to go out, beat the bushes, and be a grinder on the recruiting trail.

What is your role in helping your studentathletes transfer to four-year universities?

The department supports our coaches by

“There’s still an old-fashioned stigma that junior college is where all the bad kids go.

Some people also think our credits won’t transfer ... Our coaches do a pretty good job of dispelling those myths in the recruiting process.” helping them go to their coaches’ association conventions. There, they’re able to network with the four-year college coaches so they can know who we are as a school and what we’re doing. This year we’re also sending a few coaches to the NCAA seminar on academics and transfer requirements so we can

stay current on all that information.

How do you mentor your coaching staff?

I meet with most of my head coaches on a frequent basis, either once a week or every other week, depending on the coach. The meetings provide a time for myself and the coach to have a conversation about what’s going on with his or her team. What does the coach need help with, and what are any problems or concerns the coach may have? I also share my expectations.

The meetings provide an open and honest line of communication. I think our coaches know they’re going to be able to run their programs the way they want to, and I’m not going to be out there micromanaging, but they also have a pretty clear understanding of my expectations.

The other thing I really emphasize to my staff is a teamwork philosophy. Each team can’t be out there alone. For example, the softball team will work the concessions stand at volleyball games, or the soccer team will sell tickets at the baseball games. We work together to get everything done, and we don’t rely too much on other departments on cam-

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pus. We don’t need the maintenance staff to put out the chairs—we just do it ourselves.

How have you been able to develop working relationships with upper-level administrators?

I’m one of the lucky ones, because I report directly to my president and meet with him every week. Once per month I also give a report to the president’s cabinet, updating them on the athletic program and answering any questions they might have. Dr. Kinney has done a great job of allowing me the time to communicate with upper-level management.

Are there any challenges specific to working at a junior college?

Sometimes it’s hard to only have the athletes for two years. You’ll have a great team and then those players are immediately out the door. Coaches spend a lot of time developing athletes, and they leave right as the coach has them where they want them. That’s difficult, but we know that’s our role.

Recruiting is also sometimes an issue because there’s still an old-fashioned stigma that junior college is where all the bad kids go.

That’s not true at all these days. Some people also think our credits won’t transfer, but

Q & A we’ve had kids transfer all over the country at every single level without a problem. Our coaches do a pretty good job of dispelling those myths in the recruiting process.

You served as tournament director for the NJCAA Division I National Volleyball Tournament in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

What went into bidding for and hosting the event?

We feel like the Council Bluffs and Omaha area has a lot to offer a national tournament.

This is a very sports-oriented area, and we have the Mid-America Center here in Council Bluffs, which is a nice, smaller events center.

A lot of people on our campus worked together to put in a bid, which was presented to the NJCAA Championship Events Committee. We won the rights to host for three years. What followed was a ton of meetings to find sponsors and recruit workers and volunteers. A lot of teams on our campus worked the tournament. It was a great event, and we may bid on something again in the future, because I know the NJCAA had a great experience here.

Are there any other issues currently on your radar?

Travel is a big deal. There are three divisions right now in junior college, and we play Division I. In some sports, there are only two or three schools in our area that are also Division I. If you’re trying to play a competitive schedule, which we are, travel becomes very expensive. Some schools might only have to travel 30 minutes, but we’re often traveling three or four hours to play.

What are your goals for the future?

Several years ago, I might have had a different answer. But I’ve now been here 25 years and I feel like I’ve found a home. I’ve had some great experiences here. Many of the sports we’ve added are in their infancy, and I feel we still have a lot to accomplish.

It may seem like we’re doing really well, but I think we’re just getting started. I have my sights set on being here for a while and getting a lot more done.

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How did you get involved on the national level?

.

It started with the NJCAA annual meeting.

The first few years I went as a visiting athletic director just to learn more about the politics of how they make decisions, how they vote, and things like that. After a few years, my region voted me to be the women’s region director, which I’ve now been doing for eight years.

From that, I met a lot of other athletic directors, who encouraged me to get involved in NACDA and NATYCAA.

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They’re all really great networking groups. You can get your questions answered and find out how people are doing things that you can put in place at your school. Now, I’m trying to pass on what I experienced when I first started by encouraging other athletic directors to get involved and come to the conventions.

What do you think about the new NJCAA rule that limits the number of international students that can be on a roster?

International students have been discussed for a long time. The rule is a good place for the NJCAA to start so we can begin to find that balance between local athletes and international athletes. At some point that got a little out of whack.

I don’t think this will be the final decision that will stand forever. It’ll be tweaked as time goes on, and I don’t have a problem with that, as long as we’re tweaking it to work for everybody. We kind of went from one extreme to another. I think we’ll eventually get to a place where we find the right balance.

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GamePlan Leadership

GARY HOVLAND

strategies, positioning, rules, conditioning, and safety.

This makes it clear that coaches are required to be specialists relative to their sport, and they must use this knowledge to make practices effective. The word daily (referring to weekdays) reminds coaches that they must administer practice sessions regardless of any mitigating factors such as bad weather or scheduling conflicts. n

In Writing When a coach’s behavior doesn’t match your expectations, it can help to have a written job description ready and waiting.

By David Paling Most jobs are accompanied by job descriptions. But when it comes to high school coaching, that’s not always the case.

When I began my career as Athletic Director at Middleboro (Mass.) High School many years ago, there were no written job descriptions for our coaches. I quickly realized that this raised problems.

For one, I had certain fundamental beliefs about what coaches were responsible for, which some did not share. What was obvious to me was not necessarily obvious to all of our coaches.

Second, I found that individual team rules did not always reflect our athletic department’s philosophy and goals.

Coaches did not understand that their role was to further school vision, not develop their own focus.

Some coaches had gotten used to doing things their own way, and there was no written document I could refer to that would indicate they weren’t meeting my expectations. Therefore, I developed a written job description (and had it approved by the school committee) that became part of the criteria for evaluating coaches.

It proved to be a great way to get all coaches rowing in the same direction. I revised the document as times changed or as the focus of the department shifted. The following are the most current 12 main responsibilities of our coaches. n

Coaches are responsible for the planning and delivery of daily practices, which will include sport specific fundamentals and techniques, formations and

Coaches are responsible to stay current with changes and trends in their sport through college courses, participation in clinics, and professional interaction with fellow coaches.

It is important for veteran coaches to engage in professional development because it is easy to become entrenched in doing the same thing for years. Professional development is just as critical for the new coach whose repertoire of skills and overall knowledge may be limited. n

Coaches are responsible for all paperwork, which includes completing and submitting all local, league, and state requests for information, in accordance with established timelines and procedures.

Throughout the course of the season, coaches have a lot of forms to process and numerous deadlines to meet, from eligibility paperwork to game schedules.

Placing this expectation within the job description gives an athletic director the leverage needed to keep coaches focused on this important task.

David Paling recently retired from the Middle­ boro (Mass.) Public Schools where he had served as Director of Athletics, Health & Physical Education since 1987.

AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 23

GamePlan Leadership n

Coaches are responsible for the supervision of all team members beginning with their arrival in the locker room prior to the start of practices or games, and ending when the last student-athlete has met with transportation home.

I have observed coaches who have left for the night even though athletes on their team were still at the school. This opens the door for litigation should something unforeseen happen. The supervision of athletes from start to finish is a serious obligation that must be done each and every day. n

In addition, a bright spotlight on a program leads to increased participation. n

Coaches are responsible for emphasizing student-athlete welfare, including the areas of drug and alcohol use, sportsmanship, hazing, academic eligibility, and concussion protocol.

Along with covering these issues in our athletic handbook, we require coaches to provide some form of education on them. Our modus operandi has been preventative. n

Coaches are responsible for enforcing compliance with all rules in both the

Coaches are responsible for actively assisting student-athletes in achieving their college acceptance goals.

Coaches are responsible for their personal conduct ... Having this statement within the job description promotes professionalism amongst coaches. It is then understood that such things as attire, punctuality, and respectful treatment of student-athletes are important. student-athlete and state handbooks.

They are also responsible for establishing and maintaining specific team rules and taking appropriate disciplinary measures when necessary.

This ensures that coaches have full knowledge of the rules they must follow. It also makes sure team rules do not conflict with athletic department rules and there is a degree of uniformity amongst our programs. Finally, it speaks to the fact that when coaches become aware of a student-athlete breaking a rule, they need to respond in a timely and appropriate way. n

Coaches are responsible for the continuous promotion and publicity of their sport by working with the media and parents and by their involvement in school sponsored endeavors such as spirit week, the school newspaper, yearbook, and program booklets.

Promoting student-athletes and their accomplishments will yield nothing but positives for the athletic department.

Good public relations attracts newcomers to the fan base, keeps alumni connected with the school, and helps to foster greater support in terms of donations.

This item requires that coaches write references for athletes upon request, for both the college entrance application and the college coach if that athlete is interested in playing at the next level.

It also means that coaches should find time to meet with any college coach that expresses an interest in an athlete.

This statement clearly indicates that the coaching season is not confined to the first day of practice through the final game of the season. We want all of our coaches available to help studentathletes throughout the year with this important process. n

Coaches will interact positively with coaches of other sports, and work to promote the best interests of all studentathletes at all times.

Having experienced clashes between coaches of different sports over things like sharing gym time and budget allocations, it became necessary to introduce this statement into the job description.

The intention is to show coaches that we are all striving toward a common good and need to support one another. It also helps to promote an esprit de corps within the coaching ranks.

To read previous articles written by David Paling for Athletic Management, enter “Paling� into the article search box at: www.AthleticManagement.com.

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NEW

n

Coaches are responsible for maintaining all applicable safety standards with regards to student-athletes, fields, facilities, equipment, and training as a matter of routine, and to conform with athletic department general injury/training procedures and emergency medical procedures, as well as state laws governing the care of studentathletes with concussions.

We have a written medical emergency plan in place coaches must follow whenever needed. We also expect that mouthguards will be worn in sports that require them, pitching screens will be used in baseball and softball, equipment is locked up until the coach is on-site, only certified football helmets are used, water is supplied to athletes and can be accessed at any time, and all coaches have the athletic trainer’s cell phone number with them at all times. This part of the job description helps ensure the coach’s awareness of risk management issues is at a high level so we can keep our student-athletes as safe as possible. n

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Coaches are responsible for meeting with parents during the preseason.

Parents have the opportunity to attend a preseason meeting so they can meet their child’s coach and ask questions. We specify within the job description the areas coaches must address in these meetings: concussion protocol, required paperwork, team rules, alcohol and drug abuse, hazing, transportation policies, injury procedures, and general philosophy. n

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Coaches are responsible for their personal conduct and player conduct during all practices and games.

Since coaches serve as role models for young people and are representatives of our school, they must exemplify the highest standards of conduct at all times.

Having this statement within the job description promotes professionalism amongst coaches. It is then understood that such things as attire, punctuality, and respectful treatment of studentathletes are important, and that coaches must never use drugs or argue excessively with officials. Players are expected to carry themselves as good citizens, abiding by all rules in our handbooks (addressing such matters as profanity, fighting, bullying, theft, and so forth) at all times.

Our job description also underscores that coaching appointments are seasonal and that failure to adhere to these responsibilities may result in non-renewal. It provides the foundation for making expectations both clear and formal, which can be used as a reference point—either for improvement plans, or dismissal if a coach fails to conform with the duties of the job.

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GamePlan Fundraising Calif. While serving as Athletic Director at East Stroudsburg University, I was a member of the Stroudsburg Rotary. The stated purpose of the Rotary organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary consists of individuals from many professions and it provides an excellent environment for networking and cultivating fundraising projects.

Court Classic

Uncovering a Treasure

The easiest solution for bringing more dollars into your athletic department may be right down the block: partnering with business leaders in local civic organizations.

By Earl W. Edwards Regardless of the level of play or size of your athletic program, you are likely to be involved in fundraising. You are also likely always on the lookout for new ways to bring dollars into the department.

these organizations are very influential politically, socially, and economically. You would be surprised at the number of people you interact with who are members of one of these groups.

Sometimes, though, it’s not new ideas that produce the most money, but having the manpower to create and implement revenue-driven events. That’s why, over the years, I’ve found that partnering with civic organizations can be one of the best ways to realize success in raising funds.

Once you find an organization you like through these interactions, you need to have an individual sponsor you as a potential member. Becoming a member will allow you to get involved in various projects, events, and activities sponsored by the organization, which will lead to other networking opportunities.

The first step to accomplish this is to become involved in a civic group in your local community such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Jaycees, and Lions clubs. In most cases, 26 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

As Athletic Director at the University of California-San Diego, I am a member of the Rotary International Club of La Jolla,

A main reason why the Classic was successful for ESU was the Rotarians’ involvement. They did much of the legwork, so athletic department staff members logged only minimal hours on the project. Just as important, many Rotary members donated their companies’ products and services, from hotel rooms to publicity.

The organizational structure and fundraising efforts for the tournament were coordinated through a chair, who was a Rotarian, and several committees. The committees consisted of both Rotarians and ESU athletic department personnel, including basketball coaches, myself as the athletic director, and the sports information director, and were responsible for the following areas: Lodging: Several hotels donated rooms for the teams. Two of the hotels were owned by Rotary Club members.

Banquet: This was hosted by the university president, who was also a Rotarian.

It was held on campus the night before the tournament began. Rotarians, athEarl W. Edwards is Director of Athletics at the University of CaliforniaSan Diego and a recipient of the 2007 NACDA Athletic Director of the Year award for the NCAA Division II West Region. He can be reached at: ewedwards@ucsd.edu.

GARY HOVLAND

While at East Stroudsburg, I partnered with the local Rotary Club to create a fundraising project called the Rotary Pocono Basketball Classic, a two-day tournament featuring the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Four men’s and four women’s squads participated in the event, which became the largest fundraising project for the local Rotary Club. The money raised from the games was distributed equally to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society and ESU basketball scholarships.

letic development personnel, along with the student-athletes from the schools attended the banquet, which was an opportunity to welcome everyone as well as explain how the money raised was going to be used.

Awards: Trophies were awarded to the first and second place teams, the MVP, and players chosen for the all-tournament teams. T-shirts, which were donated by the Rotarians were also provided to all participants.

Publicity: Posters, banners, newspapers, and local radio stations were used to publicize the event. Many of the city administrators who were Rotarians were extremely helpful with publicity.

Fundraising: Funds were raised primarily through the sale of advertisements in the game program. Rotary groups are divided by professions with a chair who coordinates the fundraising efforts for that profession.

Setting Up A Score

athletic department. This fundraising project involved a lot of legwork and discussion, and most of this was handled by the Rotary Club.

ians. The remaining two were friends of Rotarians. Without the involvement of the Rotary Club, this project would not have been successful.

After receiving a free professional prospectus from a scoreboard company that outlined the benefits of advertising on this scoreboard, a committee of Rotarians was established to sell four advertising panels on the scoreboard.

The committee helped identify potential corporate sponsors both within the club and outside of it.

Win-Win Situation

ATHLETIC From there, a meetingMANAGEMENT was arranged with the school development office. This ensured Industries there wouldSalsbury be no conflict with the tarNo matter the project, these joint vengeted potential sponsors and that the Rotarians were not heading in any directions contrary to institutional guidelines.

Individual meetings were arranged with potential corporate sponsors and the Rotarians used their business skills to get four companies on board. Contracts were developed to accommodate different financial needs, and we were able to easily reach our goal.

Jan/Feb, May/Jun, Sep/Oct

The local Rotarians were also instrumental in raising $60,000 for the purchase of a new arena scoreboard for the ESU

There are many other ways an athletic department can partner with a civic organization. For example, the local Kiwanis Club conducted a two-day men’s soccer tournament for ESU, with the proceeds going to a scholarship fund and a local charity. At UC-San Diego, two members of the local Rotary Club manage a foundation that has contributed major funds to our baseball program for several years.

Two of the sponsors, a car dealership and a local company, were headed by Rotar-

tures provide many benefits. The athletic program secures revenue without overburdening staff, while the civic organization fulfills its role in helping the community. The events also provide great publicity for both organizations.

Furthermore, it can help an athletic director become a respected member of the local business community. Making connections with a civic group’s leaders can often pay dividends down the road.

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ALL IN

At the University of Maryland, athletic administrators are finding the process to be as important as the final product in updating their strategic plan. Lori Ebihara, Kevin Anderson, and Nathan Pine (back row, left to right) have been the masters of the plan, with Dan Trump (back row, far right), Chris Uchacz, Kelly Mehrtens, and Ryan Bowles (front row left to right) also playing key roles. PHOTO BY GREG FIUME

COVER STORY

“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not themselves be realized.”

By Dennis Read

This quote is attributed to Daniel Burnham, an architect and city planner who designed much of Chicago a century ago.

While he wasn’t talking about college sports way back then, his words are having resonance for some of the architects of athletics today. As the landscape of higher education continues to change at a rapid pace, more and more athletic directors are bypassing little plans and instead focusing on big and bold initiatives.

Faced with problems ranging from a winless team to economic survival, administrators are putting away the adhesive bandages and taking out the organizational charts. They are involving constituents and consultants in the planning process and coming up with strategies that are innovative and eye-catching. In this article, we take a look at four schools that are reshaping their athletic departments, and “stirring men’s blood” along the way.

MORE THAN SPORTS

Most NCAA Division I athletic departments’ strategic plans share similar themes.

The goals are to win, serve student-athletes well, and be fiscally responsible. Drake University, however, has recently decided to add a new component to that plan. It wanted to stand out by carving its own niche, and is doing so by transforming ath-

letics from an extra-curricular activity into a co-curricular one.

“Ultimately, we want to be known as a school that’s producing world-class leaders through sports,” says Sandy Hatfield Clubb, Athletic Director at Drake. “We want the top companies in the country knocking on Drake’s door each year, asking which student-athletes are graduating because they want first dibs.”

Clubb started the department’s planning for the new focus by very carefully answering a seemingly basic, but ultimately complicated, question: Who are we? “I was struggling with how we view ourselves at Drake and narrowing the scope of who we are,” she says. “We were trying to be too many things to too many people.”

To help answer the question, she read Raving Fans, a book by management expert Ken Blanchard that explains the importance of knowing who you are, deciding who your target audience is, and delivering to them. “One of my mentors recommended the book to me, and after I read it, I immediately had our senior staff read it,” Clubb says. “They responded so well to it that we bought copies for the entire staff and required everyone who gets a paycheck from athletics to read it.”

Clubb then had the department decide who exactly it needed to reach to realize its

Most college athletic departments construct strategic plans.

A few are doing so in bold and innovative ways.

THE PLAN AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 29

Dennis Read is an Associate Editor at Athletic Management. He can be reached at: dr@MomentumMedia.com.

30 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

in the program,” says Clubb, who teaches some of the classes in the LEAD program.

“But the experience-based practice is different for athletes and non-athletes. For athletes, their practices, games, and relationships with coaches and teammates become the learning laboratory. For other students, the laboratory might be student government or some other activity.

“Research tells us that for students to achieve real understanding and advanced learning, they not only have to put in the classroom time, they have to go out and have experiences that will help root the information,” she continues. “And that’s what we’re trying to do through sports. People have been teaching leadership alongside sports for quite a while, but up until now we’ve left it to chance that the student will put them together. We’re trying to systematically integrate the two.”

Clubb is also working with academic officials on developing two additional new programs. One would involve community service while the other would partner with the Center for Social Justice and allow students to create their own activities related to equality and human rights.

“We hope to have these all wrapped up under one bow, but we have a lot of moving parts to consider,” Clubb says. “The plan is that if students complete all of these com-

ponents, they will get a special certificate on their transcript.”

LEAD is an elective program, but all student-athletes at Drake have to take a course called Bulldog Fundamentals. Offered for the first time in 2011, it introduces them to the language and behaviors needed to create a culture of excellence and ethics.

The athletic department is also working with faculty members to tie athletic activities into classroom ones. For example, as part of the football team’s trip to Africa last summer, two faculty members accompanied the squad and taught a three-credit course titled “Leading Through Emotional Intelligence,” which included classroom sessions before and after the trip, journals, and projects.

Clubb admits the move toward a co-curricular model is still in the early stages and everyone is learning as they go. “Though the final building is still a little bit hard for people to visualize, our foundation is built,” she says. “We have a long way to go to get this thing as we want it, but I feel like we’re on the right track.”

NEW FINANCIAL MODEL

Sometimes bold moves require taking a hard and honest look at the future. That was the case for the University of NebraskaOmaha last year, when it was facing severe

In implementing changes at Drake University, Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb has relied heavily on outside help. She has used consultants for everything from writing the department’s strategic plan to running focus groups. Why? “I could have written the strategic plan myself—I do that kind of work all the time,” Clubb says. “But it’s more effective to have a third party come in. They’re seen as the quote-unquote ‘experts,’ there are no preconceived ideas about their intentions, and staff members aren’t afraid to tell them things they might never say to their boss.

“It also helps that a consultant can focus on one particular issue,” she continues. “Even if I have the expertise to do a certain task, I won’t have 100-percent focus on the topic. I can try, but then other issues come up that I have to handle instead.”

Clubb makes sure that anyone she brings in will wow her staff.

“I have to know them and what they’re going to do intimately,” she says. “If I ask coaches to give me a full day to listen to somebody and it’s a flop, I not only lose my credibility, I would never be able to get their time and focus like that again.”

LOOKING OUTSIDE

goals. “When we asked our staff, ‘Who do we serve?’ we ended up with more than 30 answers,” she says. “‘We serve the studentathletes. We serve their parents. We serve the coaches. We serve the faculty. We serve the students. We serve the donors. We serve the fans.’ It went on and on and on.”

To determine which specific group to focus efforts on, Clubb hired a local consulting group that worked with department staff to determine Drake athletics’ “sweet spot customer.” They discovered it was actually the student body.

“For about 10 days, I thought there was no way that could be right,” Clubb says. “But I could not shoot a hole in the idea, even though I tried a thousand different ways.

“First, student-athletes form the core of the student body for us—we can’t serve the student body without first serving the student-athletes,” she explains. “Second, if we’re serving the student body well, we’re going to have students who are raving fans at our events. When the Knapp Center is full of students having a good time cheering for the basketball team and yelling ‘Go Drake,’ the place is electric. Ticket holders are more likely to buy again and donors are more likely to invest. I finally understood—the student body truly is our sweet spot.”

From there, Clubb and her senior staff came up with two overarching goals. “One is to create a culture of excellence and ethics, the outcome of which is the development of world class leaders,” she says. “Second, we have to create a sustainable business model.

Everything we do rolls up into one of those two main goals.”

While the business model goals will follow typical Division I strategies, the culture of excellence is where Drake hopes to stand out. It is implementing the new focus by, first of all, positioning athletics as a co-curricular activity. This means devising plans for athletics to combine with academics in a new and meaningful way.

To start, the main focus will be on leadership education. The athletic department is part of the school’s new LEAD program, which offers a concentration in Leadership Education and Development. Similar in structure to an academic minor, the program, which is open to students from all majors, includes 20 credit hours of classes and practicums.

“The learning and sharing of experiences around leadership happens in the classroom and is mostly the same for all the students

COVER STORY

financial difficulties.

On the day the UNO wrestling squad won its third straight NCAA Division II title, the school announced it was moving to Division I, but also dropping football and wrestling. The elimination of the two teams overshadowed the jump to the top tier of the NCAA ranks and the response was immediate, loud, and negative.

Trev Alberts, hired two years prior as Athletic Director at UNO and a former AllAmerican linebacker at Nebraska-Lincoln and NFL player, was heartbroken at having to announce the cuts. But confronted with the financial realties, he believed it was the only way to keep the athletic department alive.

“If I had known that this is what I would have to do, I never would have taken this position,” he says. “But I had a job to do and failure was not an option.”

When Alberts came on board in April of 2009, the athletic department was receiving subsidies of nearly $3.5 million from the school each year to cover its expenses. But reduced higher education funding from the state meant that money would no longer

be available. Alberts’s momentous task was Alberts then delved into looking at the to maintain an athletic department that specifics of the finances behind every team, would be losing one-third of its funding. being careful not to have any preconceived To help determine what direction to take, notions or ideas. “We all went into this prohe decided to do two things: turn to comcess determined we weren’t going to manmunity leaders for help and take a cold, hard look at the numbers.

“We want to be known as a To start, he met with the school that’s producing worldCEOs of several major companies located in Omaha. “I class leaders through sports. reached out to those people We want the top companies in I call the ‘tribal leaders’ and the country knocking on our created a group of individuals who were committed to door each year, asking which creating a sustainable busistudent-athletes are graduating ness model for our athletic because they want first dibs.” department,” Alberts says.

“When I initially asked for help, one gentleman offered to find others. And that was important age the outcome,” he says. “We looked at because after having been in Omaha for every scenario and held ourselves accountonly six months, I didn’t have the knowlable to wherever the numbers led us.” edge to navigate the institutional politics They saw that the school’s lone Divithat exist on any campus. This unified sion I sport, men’s ice hockey, generated group helped me avoid potential pot holes almost all of the revenue the department I wouldn’t have seen.” produced, which covered about half of the

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department’s expenses. “We recognized that we had to a create a model that enabled us to generate more revenue,” Alberts says.

“We had been cutting and cutting to the point where we didn’t have a product that was supported by the community. The best way to define support for your program is through ticket revenue. Our Division II sports’ combined ticket revenue figure was about $135,000 per year and this hadn’t changed for the last 15 years. So we recognized that in our market, hoping to drive additional revenue while staying in Division II was not likely.

“However, we felt like we had a real chance to create a sustainable model if we could move the department to Division I and develop a second revenue generator, like men’s basketball,” he continues. “The biggest challenge was that we couldn’t raise our budget from $9.8 million. We knew we had to go to Division I to produce more revenue, but we had to do so without upping our

we were a burden, both financially and from a brand development perspective. We were really dragging down the school’s profile, and athletics is supposed to do the opposite—to be the front porch and elevate the school.”

The move was complicated by new NCAA rules that require schools moving up to Division I to have an invitation from a conference before beginning the transition process.

Based on UNO’s location and economic situation, Alberts felt the Summit League was the only viable choice. But then he faced a dilemma—if he announced the program was moving to Division I without football and wrestling, and the conference invitation failed to materialize, the school would no longer be welcome in the Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association without football. So there was little UNO administrators could do but wait for the Summit League to make its decision.

Although there was welcome relief when the Summit League invitation finally came through, the timing couldn’t have been worse, as the Mavericks’ wrestling team was in “I was very concerned that if the midst of wrapping up its we didn’t immediately find ways seventh NCAA Division II title.

Alberts was able to deliver the to create value on our campus, news personally to Head Football Coach Pat Behrns, but was we weren’t going to have an left to make a difficult phone athletic department at all. If call to Head Wrestling Coach you had asked the faculty Mike Denney that ended shortlived title celebrations. senate and others, they would Alberts and the UNO adminhave said athletics didn’t have istration took a beating for several days from those upset at the a lot of value and, in fact, we elimination of football and wreswere a burden.” tling and the feelings remained raw throughout the year. But the involvement of community budget. The only solution was eliminating leaders in the decision helped Alberts ride some sports that didn’t make sense finan- out the protest. cially. Replacing football and wrestling with “I would wholly suggest the notion of lower cost teams like golf and soccer allowed engaging the ‘tribal leaders’ when makus to lift the rest of the programs to Divi- ing a decision of this magnitude,” Alberts sion I while keeping our total spending the says. “You’re absolutely going to need them same. Sure, the men’s basketball budget is because they will ultimately provide you significantly larger than it was at Division II, with needed cover. People look to them for but our total budget is the same. And there’s their leadership in the community and if millions of dollars of revenues—from ticket they’ve been engaged in the process, they’re sales, game guarantees, and other sources— going to help make it work.” that you could never find at Division II.” Alberts also realized that the status quo SPORT SPECIFIC Kenyon College athletics is known was a ticking time bomb. “I was very concerned that if we didn’t immediately find nationally for its men’s and women’s swimways to create value on our campus, we ming and diving teams, which have won weren’t going to have an athletic department 54 NCAA Division III national championat all,” he says. “If you had asked the faculty ships. The football program, on the other senate and others, they would have said ath- hand, is known around campus for its lack letics didn’t have a lot of value and, in fact, of success, when it’s thought of at all. For 32 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

this school, a new strategic plan was needed for just one sport, and it needed to be farreaching.

Jennifer Delahunty, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Kenyon, led an ad hoc committee established in the summer of 2011 to devise such a plan. The committee’s charge was to provide the school’s president with recommendations on how the college could better support its football program, which hasn’t experienced a winning season since 2005.

“I remember watching the football team make its traditional walk down Middle Path on campus before a 2010 game and I thought to myself, ‘They look so unhappy and downtrodden,’” Delahunty says. “And I hated that because you shouldn’t feel that way going into a game.

You should feel really good about yourself.”

The committee met three times over the summer of 2011, and focused on three major questions: How could the school create a more positive football experience for the players and fans? What does football contribute to the collegiate experience for the players and the campus? How can the school enhance recruitment success for players? The committee included a trustee, the head football coach, an assistant football coach, the head men’s lacrosse coach, an alumnus, the dean of students, the director of student activities and Greek life, a couple of admissions representatives, two faculty members, and the President’s husband, who played football at Princeton University.

One key individual not on the committee was the school’s athletic director, Peter Smith, who was on medical leave at the time after he and his family were involved in a serious auto accident. “In some ways, having to navigate this without him was useful,” Delahunty says. “Everybody would have been looking to him the whole time and asking, ‘Is this okay? Is that okay?’ I think it helped that a female admissions dean headed the committee. It made people realize this was not just an athletic department thing. It was a campus-wide effort.”

One of the committee’s first steps was to review the work of a similar committee formed about 10 years earlier, which focused on resources needed for the football team and had helped it move toward several winning seasons before struggling again over the last half decade. “The 2002 report looked at a lot of practical things,” Delahunty says. “They suggested more practice fields, for example. This time, it was about culture and recruiting.”

The first meeting looked at barriers to success and found that the campus was not very welcoming to football. Any attention being paid to the team generally focused on its lack of success. Delahunty says there were even conflicts over the campus weightroom

COVER STORY

since the football players used it differently than the rest of the student body.

The problem also extended into admissions. “When I came here, there was antipathy from some on the admission committee towards football players,” Delahunty says.

“I’m a huge supporter of these young men, so I changed the culture on the admission staff. We have a gold standard swimming program here and I explained that we couldn’t treat football players one way and swimmers another. All athletes had to receive the same consideration.”

The second meeting focused on reaching and leveraging football alumni while continuing the discussion about recruiting and admissions practices. At the final meeting, the committee developed its recommendations. These included a change in policy that would allow admissions staffers to provide an early read on a recruit’s chances for admissions and even, in a very limited number of cases, provide an early notification to the student-athlete.

“We were losing so many kids to the Ivies, the Patriot League, and NESCAC schools, and we felt we didn’t have the tools in our arsenal

to really secure key players,” Delahunty says.

The school also tried to drum up campus “So in rare cases, we can now do an early support for the football team with pre-game notification and say, ‘If your full application activities designed to bring more students matches what you’ve shown us so far, your to the game. Although the team’s record was chances of getting into Kenyon are excellent.’

“We did that only five “Our planning process has also or six time this year, but even so, this decision was been an engagement process for not without controversy,” the athletic department. It’s been she continues. “In fact, to cool to see people from different be inclusive, we decided to extend this practice to other areas come together to talk. areas as well, such as art, Many have said to me, ‘I didn’t music, and even diversity— know what they did in the acaany type of students that we felt we really needed.” demic counseling area’ or someIn addition, one of the thing similar.” faculty members on the committee, who played college football himself, became more involved in recruiting efforts. unchanged in 2011 and Head Coach Ted “This professor gives his time freely to talk Stanley resigned, Delahunty says she saw some with recruits and is a very impressive, convinc- positive results from the committee’s work. ing, and warm person,” Delahunty says. “He’s “I felt a change around the team this a science guy and since many of our players season,” she says. “There were some positive are interested in pre-med, that really helps.” articles about the football team in the stu-

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this school, the bold steps have been in the creation of the plan itself.

Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson was hired in September 2010 and was eager to give the department new strategies and a focal point. But he wanted the process of developing a strategic plan to be something way beyond Ebihara envisions producing having senior administrators and different versions of the community leaders talking in closed meetings. strategic plan for different That’s why one of Anderson’s audiences. “I want a version early moves at Maryland was to bring on board an administrator for recruits, so coaches can charged with overseeing the strasay, ‘We’ve been working on tegic planning process. Nathan this plan for two years. If you Pine was hired in April 2011 as a Senior Associate Athletic Director come to Maryland, you’ll get and charged with working on the to live this.’” project on a daily basis. When a department reorganization about six months later moved Pine into a role overseeing all external operations, ENJOYING THE RIDE By the start of the 2012-13 school year, Anderson hired Lori Ebihara to serve as the University of Maryland will have an a Senior Associate Athletic Director and updated strategic plan in place. It will not be Senior Woman Administrator and take over ground-breaking or turn many heads. For those planning responsibilities. dent paper and people started showing they cared about the players. Just the fact that the president made this a priority and brought it to the trustees made it clear that the football players were important to us.”

“We all create our strategic plans and talk about having a vision, but then we get caught up in the moment and lose sight of those long-term objectives,” Anderson says.

“I wanted somebody to keep us moving in a progressive manner, so I created this position to make sure we had a gatekeeper who could help set the benchmarks and track whether we were hitting our targets.”

To begin the process of actually developing the plan, Anderson orchestrated a series of Listening Days. Each sports team and department group had the chance to spend 45 minutes with a team of top administrators to express their opinions about the department’s strength and weaknesses, and what could be done better going forward.

That focus on hearing many people’s ideas has continued throughout the development of the strategic plan by involving as many staff members as possible. “Our planning process has also been an engagement process for the athletic department,” Ebihara says. “It’s been cool to see people from different areas in different departments come together to talk about Maryland athletics. I don’t know how many

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COVER STORY

people have said to me, ‘I didn’t know what they did in the academic counseling area’ or something similar.”

The department formed four committees—one for scholarships, sportsmanship, and equity; one for competitive excellence; one for resource development; and one for promotion, fan advancement, and marketing. The committees typically consisted of 10 to 12 members, including coaches, student-athletes, faculty members, and administrators. They met three or four times from February through April discussing how their specific areas relate to the mission and vision of the athletic department. Some committees split into smaller sub-committees. To ensure a broad array of input, committee members would solicit opinions from non-committee members and student-athletes were surveyed.

Each committee was chaired by a senior staff member, all of whom went through a one-day leadership seminar before committee work began. The seminar was led by a leadership expert and became a strategic plan for developing the strategic plan.

“The exercises primed the people who would lead others on these committees and sub-committees,” says Ebihara. “The seminar also helped us establish goals and priorities for the next six months. It included training on communication skills, working together toward a common goal, and other traits that helped in the strategic planning process.

“One of the biggest benefits was doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the department together,” she continues. “Each committee had to do one for their areas, so the chairs learned how to do it effectively.”

Ebihara, who sat in on many of the committee meetings, then prepared the draft of the department’s strategic plan, which was presented to audiences inside and outside the department for review. The final version is due to be completed this summer.

Anderson is committed to following its wisdom. “One thing I’ve emphasized with everybody who’s been part of this process is that this plan will be with us every time we meet and we will be referring to it whenever we have a big decision to make,” he says. “It will be a living, breathing document with guidelines for how we move forward with this athletic department. And if we need to, we will adjust the goals and objectives to make sure we’re meeting our guiding principles.”

To help make sure the plan remains a centerpiece of athletic department operations, Ebihara will make it a full-fledged department publication complete with extensive graphics and a professional design. “This won’t be a spiral-bound document we put together at

Kinko’s,” she says. “I want to show how much effort people put into it and the pride they feel in it.”

She even envisions the department producing different versions for different audiences. “If [Head Football Coach] Randy Edsall is speaking to the Terrapin Club, I want a version he can put in their hands,” she says. “Then I want a version for our board of trustees and maybe another for recruits, so coaches can say, ‘We’ve been working on this plan for two years. If you come to Maryland, you’ll get to live this.’”

While she expects the strategic plan will serve all its intended purposes, Ebihara believes the journey to its creation is just as important as the destination. “When I walk down the hall, I see people engaging with people they might not otherwise have even met,” she says. “I had a coach tell me she got to know an assistant coach in another sport and learned so much from her. And they only got to know each other because they spent time together in the strategic planning meetings. To me, that’s been the coolest part of the process.” n

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FUNDRAISING

At Portland (Maine) Schools, athletes are now all supported equally through a new booster club system.

In It Together

To ensure gender equity in fundraising, some schools are merging their team-specific booster clubs into one. Making the idea work takes parent buy-in and a spirit of everyone working together.

By Michael McCullum & Melanie Craig

F

or many years, athletics fundraising support groups here at Portland (Maine) Public Schools were organized by team. Each squad had its own booster club, which independently decided how much time to put into raising money. Parents liked that structure—their fundraising efforts went directly toward the program their child participated in.

In 2006, the Portland Public Schools Board passed a resolution that these booster clubs would join forces, by AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 37

By asking active booster parents to be a part of the process, we were able to get them excited about the change. Parents on the committee began to spread the word to the community that this set up will work and that it is in the best interest of all kids. They also helped us come up with a set of very workable bylaws. sport, in order to create equity in expenditures between male and female athletics. For example, the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams would be supported by one club instead of two. This idea was met with much resistance from parents and never fully put in place.

Fast forward to 2011 and again the school board implemented a policy to change the structure of our booster clubs, calling for us to disband the individual clubs and have one booster group for each high school.

This time, though, the initiative could not be ignored. A Title IX review demanded we alter our practices and a new superintendent was committed to making the change happen.

As the athletic administrators for the two traditional high schools in the district, Portland High School and Deering High School, it has been our job to develop and implement the new policy and help the community buy into the new structure. The transition, which we have been phasing in over this school year, has not been seamless, but it is working. And in the long run, we feel this will be a huge positive for our athletic programs.

WHY CHANGE?

The major impetus behind the school board resolution was to comply with Title IX and level the playing field for all of our athletic programs. Under the traditional set up, there were discrepancies at both schools between monies raised by male sports teams and monies raised by female sports teams, which was causing inequities.

Title IX law covers a lot of areas, one of which is equity in expenditures. While athletic departments are not required to spend exactly the same amount of money for male vs. female teams—especially if one costs more than another due to equip38 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

ment needs—they do have to assess spending in areas beyond the basics of running that sport. For example, if the football team has expensive jackets, catered banquets, and new training equipment while none of the girls’ teams enjoy any similar extras, that is a violation.

Inequities are not allowed even if a booster club is footing the bill. In fact, the district has the responsibility to correct the problem in that situation. For example, if an individual booster group for one gender raises $10,000 and the other gender only brings in $5,000, the district could be called on to make up the difference.

Even when a booster club runs independent of the school, the equity piece remains the same. No matter how they are set up, support groups are an extension of the school, and thus it is the responsibility of the district to ensure equity in expenditures between male and female sports.

This was made clear to the district during a review by the Office for Civil Rights for Title IX in 2011, and Portland Superintendent Jim Morse, hired in 2009, understood the seriousness of the findings.

If a school district is found to be out of compliance with Title IX, it can lose federal funding. In response, the district hired the Red and Blue Foundation out of Boston and the Portland law firm of Drummond Woodsum to do an extensive review of our athletic departments. The findings strongly suggested we move our booster groups toward consolidation.

Beyond Title IX law, the school board recognized that when booster clubs are separate, inequities among all sports can and do occur, regardless of gender. Every group certainly has an opportunity to fundraise for their respective program, but by nature, some sports have the ability to raise more money. For example, football is a major spectator sport, held on Friday nights. The concession stands at football games do very well and generate significant dollars for the football program over the course of a season.

By contrast, a boys’ cross country meet does not have the same opportunities to generate significant funds from concessions.

In addition, sport-specific clubs mean the organizational and fundraising skills of parents dictate which teams have the most money. The kids whose parents have time to

fundraise get nicer uniforms and banquets than those whose parents may be working two jobs and do not have the time to organize events. That clearly seemed unfair.

Another problem with separate booster clubs is that the setup can breed unhealthy competition for dollars from the community. When multiple programs fundraise separately, the constant requests for help can be taxing for local businesses. They may want to support every sport that knocks on the door, but at some point, enough is enough.

As our high school sports seasons wind down each year, community funds tend to dry up, which created numerous challenges for the spring sports programs.

Having multiple booster clubs also makes it more difficult to track the money.

Each year, we read stories of booster clubs’ funds being mishandled. Bringing all groups under one umbrella can help to keep that from happening.

Finally, we realized we could probably end up raising more total money if everyone worked together. With an extremely tight budget in our district, the school board had more reason than ever to push for a better system to raise funds.

As a school district, it is our goal to create a culture of equal support from one sport to the next. While some individual booster programs were flourishing, all with good intentions for those kids, the rest of our programs were floundering. That was not a good situation for the long-term health of our athletic departments.

BOOSTERS ON BOARD

The resolution in 2006 was a dramatic change to the district’s previous practice and was opposed by many parents, especially those in the groups that raised the majority of the money. Well-established booster clubs felt the fruits of their labor would be handed to groups that did not put any time into fundraising at all. This resistance, coupled with no one in administration leading the change, ensured the status quo would remain. The old method trumped the new.

So, five years later, we knew we had to do something different in the implementation.

We needed to better explain why we were doing this. We needed parent buy-in. And we needed leadership from administrators.

This all pointed to a strategy of public input and discourse.

Michael McCullum is Athletic Administrator at Portland High School and Melanie Craig, CAA, is Athletic Administrator at Deering High School, both in the Portland (Maine) Public School District.

They can be reached at: mcculm@portlandschools. org and craigm@portlandschools.org.

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During the summer of 2011, the district hosted a series of five public meetings in preparation for the transition to having consolidated booster groups at each school, led by the two of us and our superintendent.

It was extremely important for the administration to allow the public an opportunity to be heard on this issue. It was also critical to build relationships with the people who were on the front lines of the fundraising efforts. We went into these meetings with three goals: hear people’s concerns, educate them, and solicit their ideas for the new system.

Listen to concerns: Active booster parents had many worries around the consolidation of the groups. The first was raising money for programs that their child was not active in. Often times, parents would work concessions, admission gates, and promotions during contests when their child was playing. The concept of doing this at events that their own child was not involved in was difficult for parents to get on board with.

The second major concern was how the money would be allocated. If one sport’s parent group raised all the money, then why should they have to share it with parent groups that put little to no effort into fundraising? They envisioned doing more work with their kids’ teams getting less money.

Educate the community: To help parents understand the reason for the change, we carefully explained Title IX and how it relates to booster clubs. A common misunderstanding among our boosters involved the word opportunity. They believed that since every program has an “opportunity” to fundraise, if it chooses not to, then that’s their problem. We explained that opportunity in Title IX refers to opportunity for equal participation by athletes of both genders, not their ability to try to raise funds.

The district is responsible for making sure expenditures are equitable, regardless of the source of the funds.

Solicit ideas: To allow parents input into the new booster club structure, we formed a special committee. Portland High School and Deering High School asked each varsity athletic program to name one representative to be a member of the Consolidated Booster Bylaw Draft Committee. Its directive was to draft a set of bylaws that met the request from the board, Title IX compliance, and financial accountability, but that also allowed each school to maintain some individuality.

By asking active booster parents to be a part of the process, we were able to obtain buy-in to the new philosophy, and even excitement about the change. Parents on the

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From there, we started to examine and discuss how we might restructure our booster system. One important meeting involved reviewing models of other booster clubs. Before the meeting, committee members were given examples of five different models to examine. committee began to spread the word to the community that this set up will work and that it is in the best interest of all kids. They also helped us come up with a set of very workable bylaws.

PLANNING MEETINGS

The Bylaw Draft Committee met seven times over a two-month period, with discussion facilitated by us. We worked hard from the start to establish our credibility with

the boosters by listening well, appreciating their volunteer efforts, and showing our passion for their kids. The more the parents worked with us, the more they could see our investment in building the best program for all studentathletes.

Our first meeting focused on developing the norms for our group and our vision statement. Portland and Deering enjoy a rich history and traditional rivalry, and there was some skepticism that parents from both schools could work together. This was evident at the first meeting when all of the Deering boosters sat on one side of the room and all of the Portland boosters sat on the other side!

We started by presenting six norms and had a group discussion about what to add, remove, and change. Ultimately, we agreed as a group that: > We will start and end every meeting on time.

In addition, when a student-athlete signs up to participate in a sport, parent contact information will be sent to the boosters and they will generate a master parent list. Once a fundraiser is in the making, a spreadsheet of roles will be created and the point parent will line up volunteers from his or her sport for particular tasks.

We would like to move in a direction where we have parents outside of their child’s current sport season do most of the fundraising work. For example, during the winter season, it would be great if fall sport student-athlete parents worked the concession stand so that the winter parents could just watch their kids play.

Our ultimate goal is for the parents of seniors to not need to volunteer for any fundraising. With enough parent volunteers helping, the idea is that after three years of working hard, senior parents should be able to sit back and simply enjoy being spectators.

VOLUNTEER PLAN

Because we want every team’s parents to contribute to the fundraising work, we are planning to assign a “point parent” to each squad. This parent will be in charge of communicating to the rest of the team’s parents their roles in each fundraiser.

> All discussions will be based on what’s best for Portland Public Schools as a whole. > All discussions will focus on moving forward and not re-hashing history. > Only one person will speak at a time, and we will honor all opinions even when they differ from our own. > All meetings will be organized, positive, and outcome-focused. > Decisions will be made by group consensus and everyone will remember that, “Even if I do not totally agree, I can live with it and support it moving forward.”

For the creation of our vision statement, we took committee members out of their comfort zone. We broke them into mixed groups of five to six with the job of answering the question, “Five years from now, when people join our booster group, what will we look like?” The groups wrote their answers on large pieces of paper that we hung on the walls. Each person was then given five colored sticker dots. They had to walk around, read the other groups’ lists, and place a dot next to the five statements they felt were the most important in developing our vision.

After everyone placed their stickers, we reviewed the data. People were surprised.

The group realized that, while they initially believed there were major differences of opinion among parents at the two schools, many of their statements for our vision were the same.

From there, we started to examine and discuss how we might restructure our booster system. One important meeting involved reviewing models of other booster clubs. Before the meeting, committee members were given examples of five different models to examine. As a group, we then discussed them by answering the following questions: 1. What elements in these policies would work well for Portland Public Schools Boosters (PPSB)?

2. What elements in these policies would not work well for PPSB? 3. Is there one model that encompasses most of what we need and which we could use as a working draft?

The above discussion led us to choose two models that were closest to what we desired. We then picked one as our working draft and went over it line by line, modifying the wording to make it fit our needs and situation.

NEW STRUCTURE

In eight short weeks, the committee created a clear mission and drafted bylaws.

The mission statement focused on everyone 40 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

FUNDRAISING

working together, and it reads like this: Athletics play an integral role in the Portland Public Schools’ mission to educate the whole child to his or her fullest potential for a productive and fulfilling life. By offering an accessible, organized structure, we will empower students to be well rounded leaders who will thrive in a competitive environment built upon high expectations.

We strive to create an environment that maximizes participation, is based on equality, and honors the individuality of each program. Portland Public Schools Boosters serve as a source of pride for our community. Our enthusiasm welcomes goal driven individuals who wish to maximize our student-athletes’ experiences.

We are committed to collaborative communication with all entities to produce citizens of strong character, dedication, and academic excellence.

Our bylaws start by clearly defining the hierarchy of the new structure. It looks like this: Portland Public Schools is the governing body and ultimate authority in all mat-

Instead of a small handful of parents killing themselves to do three to four fundraisers in a season, we can now access dozens of parents to work on bigger fundraising opportunities.

The hope is that more hands will create less work.

ters regarding boosters, athletics, co-curricular activities, policies, etc., for the district.

Athletic Administrators at each high school are the direct link for district oversight of boosters, athletics, co-curricular activities, policies, etc., for Portland Public Schools. It is their role and responsibility to make sure that the philosophies, policies, and procedures are implemented and enforced in compliance with Portland Public Schools guidelines and state and federal laws.

Booster Officers include a President, Vice President, and Secretary, who are elected annually directly from the pool of the Board of Directors.

There is no treasurer because all accounting is done by the schools.

The Board of Directors is composed of one representative from each sanctioned Interscholastic Athletic Activity. This board will meet monthly and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of running the

Circle No. 131

booster club. Measures will pass by a majority vote and a quorum will be met by a majority of the board being in attendance.

Interscholastic Athletic Activity (IAA) membership is defined as a parent/guardian having a child/ward actively participating on one of the high school athletic teams for that season. The only decision making power held by this group is the election of a Board

FUNDRAISING

of Directors Representative and an alternate each year in May. While IAA members only meet once a year, they are welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly Board of Directors meetings.

General Membership: This is open to anyone interested in supporting Portland Public Schools athletics. General membership holds no decision making or voting authority.

New bylaws also outlined how funding would be structured. The basic needs for all sports will be funded through school budgets, with next level requests going to the boosters. All requests need to gain approval from athletics administrators to ensure equity and Title IX compliance.

Our goal is to move in a direction where each sport’s requests to the boosters are presented at the start of our fiscal year in July.

Boosters will be able to look at all of them together and work with us to make deci-

sions as to what we can realistically cover.

Then we will come up with a fundraising plan for the year.

In terms of raising money, we are now working on ideas that will help boosters work smarter as opposed to harder. Instead of a small handful of parents killing themselves to do three to four fundraisers in a season, we can now access dozens of parents to work on bigger fundraising opportunities such as golf tournaments, car shows, annual calendars, and giving programs via alumni.

The hope is that more hands will create less work—we will have bigger yet fewer fundraisers with higher profits and alleviate the constant begging for donations from our local businesses.

ALL FOR ONE

One of the keys to our booster consolidation process has been a focus on continually communicating with the community. Last

fall, as the bylaw committee was meeting, we posted its progress on the school Web sites so everyone could access the information.

We also took the time to talk to parents who had questions and concerns. Some of the most valuable conversations happened on the sidelines at events, and not only were the two of us able to answer questions, but so did those on the bylaw committee. Our willingness to be an open book helped gain community support for the change.

The culture of individual booster groups fundraising for particular programs has begun to subside and the idea of raising money for school athletics as a whole is now being embraced. We are confident that our consolidated booster model will also create a community around our athletic programs—where student-athletes feel they are a part of something larger than their team, and are supporting one another in every pursuit. n

MORE IDEAS > Looking for new fundraising ideas to pass along to your booster club? Check out our Fundraising & Promotions e-zine at this link: www.AthleticManagement.com/ezines.php.

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The College of Charleston is proving that you don’t have to be a D-I powerhouse to get all your games broadcast on HD television. What you do need is vision and a van.

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he influence of television on sports over the past 50 years cannot be overstated. From the phenomenon of Monday Night Football to the growth of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, we’ve seen how televising events can lead to an amazing growth in fan bases.

While the members of major NCAA Division I conferences have enjoyed such benefits

By Will Bryan

due to contracts with national and regional sports networks, the majority of college athletics programs still struggle to get significant television exposure. For mid-major and lowmajor schools, the challenge is gaining more television coverage—without paying someone to broadcast your games.

Here at the College of Charleston, we have found this is more realistic than many think, thanks to some exciting new technology and the vision of our athletic director.

We just finished a men’s basketball regular

season that included 23 games shown on traditional broadcast television and/or ESPN3 (a worldwide online streaming arm of ESPN that makes content available to subscribers of various cable or Internet companies). And at the end of February, two clips from those telecasts made it to ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays, a segment watched by millions of viewers around the world each day.

We accomplished this by producing games ourselves using a video production van outfitted with the NewTek Tricaster

Staff and student workers pose in front of the production van the College of Charleston recently built, which contains all the equipment needed for state-of-the-art telecasting.

AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 43

850 Xtreme, an out-of-the-box production solution including a fully loaded, 24-channel switcher with text, graphics, and animations. This technology allows us to produce high definition (HD) telecasts instead of the lower quality video that is typically streamed online.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

Will Bryan is Associate Director of Athletics Communications at the College of Charleston. He has also worked at St. John’s University and for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. He can be reached at: bryanc1@cofc.edu.

44 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

athletic Web site provider announced that it was moving to a new video portal that would support HD video. Instead of the seemingly ancient streams of grainy Internet video where numbers and faces were difficult to see, the College of Charleston would now be able to stream in HD and make the Web experience identical to what a fan would see on television.

With that development in front of us, and having already invested in equipment and personnel, the college made an institutional decision to build a television production truck. We bought a high roof van, also known as a sprinter van, which provided enough room for our equipment and operators. Inside the van, we installed the NewTek Tricaster production unit, a NewTek 3

C

olleges may have more resources to broadcast sporting events than high schools do, but that doesn’t mean a high school athletic department doesn’t have options in this area.

The Marist School, in Atlanta, has been using an outside service called PlayOn! to live stream many of its athletic contests over the past three years. Matt Murphy, an assistant swim coach who oversees the broadcast program at the school, explains how it works.

The school was given a laptop loaded with PlayOn!’s software that hooks up to any video camera with an analog output, he says. The software is easy to use and students do almost all of the broadcast work, including the audio and graphics.

“When we started using it, the students who were going to be broadcasting the first games had a short training session and they were able to pick up everything in that brief time,” Murphy says. “Now, any time a new student wants to get involved, we shadow them on the software for a short time and then they can use it on their own.”

The broadcasts can be done with a wide range of technology, from the basic to the sophisticated. “We can use it with something as simple as a HandiCam if we need to travel light to a road game, or with the more professional equipment we have at the school,” Murphy says.

The laptop and software come free with a licensing fee, and there are multiple pricing tiers. All the events are housed on PlayOn!’s servers, and are easy for fans to access.

Murphy says the impact of being able to broadcast games online has meant a lot to the student-athletes and their families. “We had a football player whose father had not missed one of his games in four years, but was called away on business the night of a game,” he says. “He watched the game in his hotel room, and it was the first time his son played more than two downs. It was a significant moment for the son, and if we weren’t broadcasting, his father couldn’t have shared in that.”

— Patrick Bohn

H.S. OPTIONS

Our trek to high-definition telecasts actually began almost six years ago. At that time, we didn’t completely know where we were going, but we were taking steps in the right direction. And that was important.

In 2006, like our peers in the Southern Conference, we began using Web-streaming video technology. We plugged a video camera into a laptop and streamed video through a simple Internet connection. The image quality was crude, the graphics poor, and the audio was a direct feed of our radio broadcast. But at least our fans could watch College of Charleston teams compete. Our focus was on men’s basketball since the school does not have football, but other sports also benefited, especially soccer and baseball, which are played off-campus.

The next step forward came in 2007 when the school hired Joe Hull to be the new athletic director. Coming from the University of Maryland, Hull understood the importance of video in the landscape of college athletics.

He created a new multimedia department and assigned Facility and Operations Director Josh Bryson to run it.

The goal was to produce better live events and create quality video content for the school’s Web site, CofCsports.com. Bryson did this by steadily increasing the number and quality of cameras, the sophistication of the broadcast equipment, and the number of student and professional personnel used for production.

During the 2008-09 athletic year, the school opened a new state-of-the-art arena that vaulted us from having one of the oldest gyms in the conference to having one of the best facilities in the Southeast. This enabled us to upgrade our multimedia operations, as we included an in-house video board and space for production crews to plug directly into the arena’s audio system and scoreboard interface. The camera locations were also hard-wired to a central location so that external and internal crews would not have to run cords in the seating bowl.

“Long before we decided to invest in a

television production truck, we had to invest in better cameras, operators, collateral equipment, and a permanent production room,” Bryson says. “Building the new arena allowed us to make the facility very TV-friendly, both for outside and in-house production crews.”

The next move came when the school hired Dennis Trapani to be Multimedia Director, reporting to Bryson. Trapani was tasked with producing on-line video streams for men’s basketball games that weren’t otherwise televised (seven games each year were on Comcast Sports South) and all other sports.

Another one of his duties was to provide ingame content for the arena video board and assemble highlight packages after games.

The final steps in our journey to HD occurred a little over a year ago. The school’s

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Play machine for instant replays, a graphics computer with packages provided by ESPN, audio equipment, widescreen monitors, wiring, connectors, and a cooling system. Using

Student involvement has been key ... The multimedia team has integrated students into nearly all of the productions outside men’s basketball. “The ability to enhance the educational experience of our students and get them involved in broadcast television is very important,” says Athletic Director Joe Hull. a satellite uplink, we became able to produce HD broadcasts and feed them to local television and ESPN3, as well as stream them through our Web site.

“The biggest hurdle was the up-front cost, but our athletic director made the decision to do it,” says Bryson. “We had the cameras already, and the new video portal on our Web site was going to allow us to show games in HD, so we went for it. We were excited to give all of our programs a level of exposure they’d never had before. ”

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The cost of the truck was less than $300,000, which might seem prohibitive for a non-BCS school without football revenue.

But Bryson says the investment was quite economical considering the cost of a traditional TV truck with a full complement of equipment—something only the major networks can afford and can operate. Having our own truck also allows us to take it on the road whenever we want to carry an away game. Renting a production facility for telecasts from other facilities is costly, while our only extra expense when doing games away from home comes from gas for the vans and food for the crew.

One of the reasons the college was able to keep the price of the production truck reasonable was the NewTek equipment, which combines many of the functions of traditional broadcasting into a smaller unit.

However, the smaller space provided by

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the sprinter van and the limitations of the equipment mean that our production crew has to make do with fewer engineers, inputs, and technological flourishes.

“We don’t see the technology as limiting us, but as challenging us to find different ways to create a quality product,” Bryson says. “There was a group in the Northeast that built a truck similar to ours, but used traditional TV technology, and spent significantly more. The Tricaster, 3Play, and all of the NewTek equipment allowed us to create a smaller and more affordable package.”

enhance the educational experience of our students and get them involved in broadcast television is very important. The year before we built the truck, we produced 135 streaming events using mostly student help. It is terrific that the students who had developed skill in video production have ratcheted that up to a whole new level.”

Trapani has already seen exponentially more interest from students who want to be involved with the broadcast crew, solely because their friends tell them how much fun it is. “I think it’s really cool for our stu-

Not only did the ESPN3 agreement allow our games to be broadcast nationwide, but it made them accessible on mobile technology. The WatchESPN app streams games on smartphones and tablets, and is becoming more and more popular.

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For a normal men’s basketball broadcast, Bryson serves as the production engineer while utilizing a director, a technical director, a 3Play operator, two graphics engineers, and two audio technicians in the truck. The crew also includes four camera operators and a three-person broadcast booth with a play-by-play and two color commentators.

The director sits in the middle of the truck and advises the technical director on which camera feeds to take and when to utilize graphics and replays. One graphics engineer focuses on the graphic at the bottom of the screen, commonly known as the “bug,” while the other creates updated individual displays for situations like a free throw attempt.

The 3Play operator scans all four camera feeds as the game goes on and creates replays for in-game playback, as well as clips for commercials and halftime highlight packages. The audio technicians monitor the feeds from the three talent mics, as well as basket and crowd sound, making sure that the mix is always correct.

“The quality of the broadcast certainly depends on the quality of the people running it,” says Bryson. “We were very fortunate to have a number of video professionals in our community who worked with us from the beginning and have helped to train our students as well.”

And student involvement has been key.

While many of the initial telecasts were manned by professionals, the multimedia team has integrated students into nearly all of the productions outside men’s basketball.

“I’m particularly excited about our student involvement,” says Hull. “The ability to

dents to have a hand in the excitement that comes with this type of quality programming,” he says. “I have several students who have been with me since I got here three years ago, and they’ve gone from carrying a toolbox with all of our cables and connectors to working in a TV truck. You can see how they’ve grown and how excited they are to be a part of what we’re doing.”

Overall, there has been a learning curve, but not a steep one. “We’ve progressed at the rate that I originally thought we would,” Bryson says. “We did have a satellite uplink failure one night, which I’m told never happens. But mostly, I feel like we’ve done a good job of continually correcting mistakes and making each broadcast better than the previous one.”

FINDING PARTNERS

Along with continually improving our game productions, we needed to work on bringing in revenue from them. While the HD video portal allows us to broadcast anything online, our investments would only pay dividends if we could get our games on television and fill the open commercial spots.

“Selling TV advertising in the local market provides a critical revenue stream,” says Hull. “Without it, the numbers just do not add up.”

We set out to find a broadcast partner to distribute the school’s content, and turned to WMMP-TV, also known as MyTV Charleston. It was a perfect fit because the station was already broadcasting local high school football on Thursday nights. The station excitedly jumped on-board.

NEW MEDIA

“MyTV Charleston has been an excellent partner,” Bryson says. “They’ve provided terrific support so far and have helped to push our broadcasts in the community through their contacts and station advertising.”

An equally important development was to get ESPN3 to distribute our content on its worldwide platform. “ESPN3 also gave us the full graphics package, so our productions look like an ESPN broadcast,” says Bryson. “And they provided feedback to help us improve.”

Not only did the ESPN3 agreement allow our games to be broadcast nationwide for viewers that have access to the service, but it made our events accessible on mobile technology. The WatchESPN app streams games on smartphones and tablets, and is becoming more and more popular and accessible.

Finally, the new Web portal we utilize to stream games that are not aired on MyTV or ESPN3, including other sports, has received positive reviews since its unveiling on March 1. We offer several price points for fans to purchase streams, including a $1.95 singlegame price. Along with live broadcasts, the portal allows us to host free highlights and

features that are embedded on our Web site’s front page. Using the high-quality graphics that we incorporate with our live broadcasts, we are able to display a great product on the Web on a continual basis.

FEEDBACK FROM FANS

Around the conference and beyond, the College of Charleston has come to be known for its TV truck, and other institutions have called to inquire about what we’re doing.

But the most dramatic reaction has come from Cougar fans.

“The feedback that we’ve gotten has been very positive,” Bryson says. “We’re actually starting to get complaints when we don’t broadcast the road games. Our fans have developed the expectation that every game is going to be on television in HD. “In addition, student-athletes love that they and their parents can watch more games,” he continues. “Especially in the sports other than men’s basketball, the product we put out is a lot better than what our peer institutions are doing.”

Hull is definitely pleased with how the project is progressing. “The local TV aspect

has gone over very well in this community,” he says. “And the ESPN3 partnership has moved our games from a regional to a national scope. Additionally, the digital phenomenon with the WatchESPN app has caught on. People are becoming more and more comfortable watching games on their mobile device or tablet, or even plugging the computer into their TVs. People want access to the games.”

The College of Charleston has shown that high-quality telecasts don’t have to be the sole purview of the largest athletic departments. Any school, even with a small budget, can find exposure in a media world by providing the public with the highquality content it wants, when it wants it.

While none of this would be possible without today’s technology, making it all work comes down to having the right people.

“You need to start by building an infrastructure in your department with people who are motivated to do it and that have the knowledge and the time,” says Bryson.

“The equipment is great, but it’s the people behind the equipment who really make the difference.” n

Circle No. 137 AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 47

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Circle No. 138

LEADERSHIP

JAMES ENDICOTT/STOCK ILLUSTRATION SOURCE

A Captain Courageous

sk someone what makes a great leader and they are likely to say, “I know it when I see it.” They may throw out terms like charisma, drive, vision, empathy, and determination. A definition I like is: one who has the ability to get people to follow voluntarily.

However you describe it, leadership is a necessary quality in the field of athletic administration. But it is sometimes taken for granted. Athletic directors often get caught up in the multitude of day-to-day tasks involved in their jobs, and as a result don’t work on their leadership skills. That’s a mistake. The same way a good shortstop will continue to hone skills by fielding countless ground balls, leadership needs constant attention.

After nearly 25 years as a college athletic director and more than 30 years teaching sport management courses, I’m still working on my leadership skills. But I’m also ready to take a stab at relaying what I’ve learned to others. The qualities discussed below are recommended as steps toward providing effective and successful leadership in an ath-

By Dr. John Knorr

Being a successful athletic director means conquering new waves every day. The following leadership advice can help ensure smooth sailing.

AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 49

LEADERSHIP

letic program, with the goals of enhancing the motivation, performance, and morale of your staff.

DEVELOP A SHARED VISION

A basic tenet of effective leadership is that staff members should work with you, not for you. Therefore, goals are best accomplished when they are decided upon in a participative manner. Similarly, staff should be involved in any decisions that impact them.

Most administrators can relate to the situation where a policy is decided for them and they have little or no involvement in the planning process. It’s tough to get on board with those types of decisions, especially if you feel the idea is impractical or you don’t have the resources to achieve the expected outcomes. But when there is a shared sense of purpose and collective identity surrounding the new initiative, it is easier to feel ownership of the idea.

and travel. We asked our Sports Information Director to compile win-loss records of all our programs against D-II opponents over the last 10 years. And we had our Financial Aid Director and Director of Admissions research the impact of D-II membership on their offices.

Everyone reported back their findings and we learned from each other. In many cases our coaches found that their budgets, scholarships, and resources were already at or above the benchmarked D-II programs.

We made it a point to assure coaches that we would target areas that were somewhat behind for improvement. Our final decision was to seek NCAA D-II membership, and we did so with a shared vision of where athletics would go in the next 10 years.

CONTINUALLY EVALUATE

A shared vision will serve as a global road map for athletic department success, but it also needs to be broken down into explicit behavioral terms. This entails developing measurable goals with the staff members responsible for meeting them.

And it requires evaluating staff on reaching those goals.

The key here is to continually provide feedback. When staff members are not reaching their goals or following the shared vision, the athletic director must intervene, providing development opportunities or other resources necessary for them to be successful. This must be ongoing instead of something noted on year-end evaluations.

One example of continual evaluation involved a young, newly hired head basketball coach. It was his first head coaching position after several years as an assistant. The coach had an outgoing personality, strong work ethic, and passion to succeed, but early in the season, he exhibited some other qualities that were not in line with our vision: improper sideline behavior, constant run-ins with officials, and several technical fouls.

The morning after the third game of the season—a good home win—I brought up the problem in the coach’s office over coffee. I talked about positive elements of the victory, the team’s hustle, and his game management skills. However, I pointed out that his sideline behavior was very noticeable and not in line with what is acceptable at this university. We ended the meeting with me communicating my satisfaction with the level of play, his technical expertise, and the need for better control on the bench during contests. The

Sometimes the continual evaluation process needs a proactive element. One situation that comes to mind involved a head coach who was very successful ... However, he often responded to difficult situations in an overly aggressive manner.

Here at St. Edward’s University, as part of a long term strategic planning exercise about a decade ago, the University looked into whether we should leave the NAIA and request membership in NCAA Division II. The mere mention of this to the athletic department staff was met with resistance. Therefore, we made sure that the process of researching this move included all staff members.

We presented the idea to staff members at a meeting, then gave everyone a role. We asked several coaches to benchmark five D-II programs in our region, finding out specifics on their budget, staffing, scholarships, facilities, John Knorr, EdD, was Director of Athletics at St. Edward’s University from 1977-2002, as well as Head Baseball Coach from 1977-85 and 1991-93, posting the most wins in school history. He continues to serve as Professor of Kinesiology and was recently inducted into the St. Edward’s University Athletic Hall of Fame. He was honored as NAIA District 4 Athletic Administrator of the Year in 1993 and helped shepherd St. Edward’s into NCAA Division II. He can be reached at: johnek@stedwards.edu.

50 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

coach worked on this and it got progressively better. By the year-end evaluation, it was no longer a point of contention.

Sometimes the continual evaluation process needs a proactive element. One situation that comes to mind involved a head coach who was very successful, a great recruiter, and in most situations a positive ambassador for the department. However, he often responded to difficult situations in an overly aggressive manner. A goal for the next contract period was for this behavior to change, and I suggested he attend an anger-management workshop paid for by the department. The coach’s attendance at the workshop and effort to recognize situations that pushed his buttons resulted in the successful resolution of the problem.

BE A ROLE MODEL

The leader of an athletic program sets the tone for the entire department, and this covers everything from what you wear to your ethical conduct. As athletic director, you are constantly being evaluated by staff.

If you are careless in job performance, late for meetings, or in any way unenthusiastic, staff members will follow suit. As a leader, you must model the behavior you want others to emulate by being strong mentally and morally on a continuous basis.

For example, one of our athletic department goals was to be involved in the community. While our teams participated in community service work, I modeled the goal by serving on community boards, including the local YMCA Board of Directors, a United Way program review committee, and with Chamber of Commerce committees and activities.

A role model must also evaluate their own behaviors. Early in my career I did not always handle being challenged by a coach over an idea in an appropriate manner. My response would sometimes result in conflict and impaired communication. This behavior was brought to my attention by the administrator I worked for and who mentored me.

Upon reflection, I signed up for a conflict-resolution course, and also offered this same opportunity to the entire athletic staff.

Two coaches decided to attend with me. The exercise offered extremely valuable insight into handling conflict and provided me with increased comfort when dealing with staff in volatile situations.

In addition, it is important to project an image that conveys confidence, decisiveness, and optimism. The road is sometimes filled with uncertainty for a leader, and staff will take their lead from the one in charge. As coaches tell their athletes, if you are going to make an

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Circle No. 139

FIELD HOCKEY BASEBALL

SOFTBALL KRONUM

LEADERSHIP

error, make it on a strong attempt to complete the play. Not every decision and action will end positively, but the manner in which they are approached and implemented is key.

COMMUNICATE WELL

There may be no more important quality to work on in leading an athletic department than communicating effectively. The first thing to keep in mind is that communication is a two-way process. The art of listening is an important aspect of being an effective communicator.

lunch invitation for all athletic staff members every Thursday. Attendance was voluntary and would vary from a handful to a sizable group depending on schedules, but this afforded another opportunity to communicate in a relaxed setting. Topics ranged from who will win the national championship in various sports to issues relating directly to our day-to-day work.

Whenever possible, I think it is important to initiate communication on the other person’s turf, which can provide a more comfortable environment. And for those times when others want to initiate conversations with you, an open door policy is important.

Some other tips on communicating well: > All communication should be placed within a situational context. What is appropriate for discussion with some may not be appropriate for the entire department. > Criticize constructively and in private. Praise specifically in public. > Be open and honest. If you make a mistake or are wrong about an issue, admit it and take ownership. > Handle problems as they arise. Do not wait until a crisis. > Never be afraid to admit you do not know or are unsure of something, but do find the answer and communicate it.

Athletic administrators should be leaving their footprints on the entire campus. Perception is based on action, and being visible to staff is important in conveying a sense of being an involved leader.

Second, be proactive rather than reactive with your communication. Keep staff informed of issues that affect them and do so in a timely manner. There is nothing that can cause frustration more than not having the information needed to carry out assigned duties.

I believe it is important to strike a balance between formal and informal communication. Staff meetings should only be held when the quantity and quality of information justifies the time involved. At St. Edward’s, we had four scheduled full staff meetings each year—prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters, immediately after the NCAA convention to discuss changes and share information, and at the conclusion of the school year to review and plan for the next year. Other meetings were scheduled on an as-needed basis. When you do have a staff meeting, it is important to provide an agenda ahead of time to enable everyone to prepare and to help move the meeting along efficiently.

Most of the time, I found informal communication to be more effective than formal meetings. Therefore, I made a habit of dropping by staff and coaches offices for coffee, especially the day after teams had competed.

Talking about athletic events and our athletes was an easy way to lead the conversation into other issues that can be discussed informally.

We also, for several years, had an open 52 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

SEE & BE SEEN

It is important to realize that your office is not your place of business. Athletic administrators need to be involved in the daily life of the department and the institution. One should be out and about—leaving your footprints on the entire campus. Perception is based on action, and being visible to staff is important in conveying a sense of being an involved leader.

I made it a habit to drop by practices throughout the year and attended all home contests, regardless of the sport or day of the week. While I could not always find time to stay for a full tennis match or softball game, I believe it is important to your coaches that you are present. On occasion I also made an effort to travel to road contests when my teaching schedule and other time commitments allowed it.

It can work well to take an active role in home contests at times. Our conference mandated that an athletic administrator be present at the scorer’s table during all basketball games in case game officials had an issue with crowd control or technical

problems arose. I took on this job and found it afforded me an opportunity to observe our coaches and their game management up close.

I also made sure to be involved in campus-wide activities. This allowed me to represent the athletic department mission as well as gain visibility among various campus communities. Having faculty status provided additional access to service on university academic committees.

SUPPORT YOUR STAFF

It’s often said that success in athletic administration is best summed up by the phrase “hire well and delegate.” In other words, once you’ve brought the best coach you can on board, avoid the temptation to micro-manage. Instead, communicate expectations and serve as a mentor. When you delegate responsibility, provide the resources and authority that enable staff to get the job done, and then hold them accountable for the desired result.

At the same time, an athletic director should understand individual staff members and what motivates them. This gets back to the importance of listening while communicating. With a sound relationship, it’s easier to challenge staff to take ownership and develop their talents. Take the time to provide detailed and insightful annual job performance reviews, and then develop a growth plan with each staff member. Recognize effort publicly and tangibly reward a good job when possible.

Supporting your staff also means paying attention to their needs. For many years, athletic fundraising on our campus was not a priority, and with tight budgets, this frustrated our coaching staff. Over time we were able to develop, with input and support from our university advancement office, a set of guidelines that allowed for our programs to begin participating in fundraising initiatives.

In addition, to supplement this, I was able to utilize funds raised through things like facility rentals, concessions, and advertising to create a type of grant system. Coaches could submit requests for special needs, which ranged from renovation of dugouts to funding trips to tournaments. Needless to say, the coaching staff appreciated such support.

Effective leadership must be active and proactive. It must be practiced constantly and it will not happen by sitting behind a desk all day. It entails developing shared goals, evaluating and supporting staff, communicating well, and being a visible role model. n

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Circle No. 141

FACILITIES

Open Door Policy

Looking for a way to boost revenue and community relations in one fell swoop?

One solution is opening your fitness facility to the public.

By Jim Catalano

A massive climbing wall is the focal point of the University of South Dakota’s Wellness Center, where community members work out alongside students.

When Debbie Garrett became Fitness Director at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Ind., last year, one of her goals was to increase the number of community members using the fitness facility. The school had been bringing in revenue by offering memberships to its weightroom, but the workout area didn’t have the most exciting options.

“It was just a high school weightroom,” Garrett says. “It wasn’t very clean and didn’t have a lot to offer.”

To remedy the problem, Garrett did some simple things, such as having the existing machines painted, polished, and repadded.

She also ordered some new equipment that would appeal to users beyond high school athletes, including 15 cardio machines. And she added programming, including kettlebell and Zumba classes.

The efforts paid off. “We tripled our membership within a year,” Garrett says.

Around the country, high schools and colleges are opening their fitness facilities to their surrounding communities, which can both bring in revenue and boost public relations efforts. If you’re an athletic administrator who has been considering a similar move, there are several factors to consider.

AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 55

FACILITIES

GREAT PROGRAMMING

As Penn High School’s story illustrates, successfully starting a community membership program takes more than simply unlocking the weightroom doors. One key factor is devising programming that excites those outside the school—without forgetting your core audience is still student-athletes.

“You definitely have to stay on top of the market,” says Dan Squires, Fitness Center Coordinator at Tompkins Cortland Community College. “Four years ago, I started exercise classes that were an extension of the fitness center. We now offer nine classes per week, including everything from Zumba, yoga, and kickboxing to strength training.

“Two years ago, Zumba was just hitting the market and we never had those classes here,” he continues. “Now it’s our most popular offering, with more than 30 people in every class. We recently had a record month with more than 600 participating in our exercise classes, and they’re a mix of people from on campus and the community.”

When Garrett arrived at Penn, she did extensive research on the latest trends. “I tried to read up on everything that was current,

looking for things to add to our programming,” she says. “It seemed kettlebells would be the next big thing. At first I wasn’t sure if they would take with the community, but now I can’t offer enough classes. I went from one class per week to twice per day, five days a week. And they sell out immediately.”

The University of South Dakota opened a new $15 million, 61,000-square-foot Wellness Center in February 2011. From the start, it was designed to serve both students and the surrounding community.

“We have 20 kinds of classes and 85 sessions per week offered at all times of the day,” says Steve Mayer, Director of the Wellness Center, noting that they include cycling, yoga, pilates, taekwondo, Zumba, water aerobics, BOSU training, and more.

“The early morning classes are geared to community members because they’re more apt to come then, and our nighttime classes are geared toward students.”

South Dakota also installed a 38-foot climbing wall, which has proven popular.

“The students really wanted it, and it’s been very big with them,” says Mayer. “But a lot of our community members are renting

time on the climbing wall for birthday parties and other functions—it’s something different to do.”

Beyond offering great programming options, it’s important to choose weight equipment with a broader audience in mind.

When Kathy Hoyt, Athletic Director and Vice Principal at North Rose-Wolcott (N.Y.) High School, was planning a new fitness facility, she was careful to install equipment that would address the aerobic and strength training needs of both the high school students and community members.

“We put out bids to five vendors, then worked closely with the winner to design a weightroom that would meet the needs of the majority of our population,” she says. “A lot of our athletes want to do free weights, so we have a Smith machine, a squat rack, dumbbells, portable benches, an assisted dip and pull-up machine, and a cable/stack machine. Then we have other equipment, like a Cybex circuit, that community members are more interested in.”

Jim Catalano is a freelance writer and former Associate Editor at Athletic Management.

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Equipment companies can help with figuring out the numbers. “Manufacturers have formulas for how many pieces of equipment you need based on the anticipated head

that are now in demand, like lifting platforms with multi-use racks, some rowing machines, two more treadmills, and another elliptical trainer,” he says. “We’re trying to maximize

“We don’t have personal trainers, but we have fitness center attendants, who are minimum wage employees. They have first aid and CPR training, and know how all the equipment works. And some hours are covered by volunteers, typically coaches.” counts,” says Bradley Petty, Director of University Recreation at Angelo State University, which opened a new fitness facility last year.

“We started by estimating use by students, faculty, and staff, then we added three percent to determine the amount of equipment we thought we needed.”

Even though it has only been open one year, Mayer says South Dakota’s Wellness Center has already increased its equipment stock.

“We’ve added some things we didn’t foresee

our space by getting in as many pieces of equipment as the fire code will allow.”

Petty involved users in the selection process. “We actually brought cardio equipment into our facility and let people try it out,” he says. “They got to vote and give some input on what they liked.”

users, the next step is encouraging the public to come on in. Most schools use a combination of marketing and promotional ideas to attract an off-campus audience.

“I ask our members to take flyers to their businesses and leave them out for their customers,” Garrett says. “I also call the local newspapers and let them know what we’re doing. One ran a big story in their sports section, which was very helpful in getting the word out.”

Advertising membership deals or new equipment can also work well. “We try to do a few different specials per year—around Christmas and at the beginning of spring, summer, and fall,” Squires says. “Anytime we get new equipment, we try to create a new ad. We just installed all new TVs in our facility, so we’ll be advertising that.”

Most agree that having a comprehensive Web site is important, with information on memberships, equipment, programs, and hours readily accessible. And social networking should be considered. “We now ® have a page on Facebook, and some of our student staffers use Twitter to put

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FACILITIES

out information about our programming,” Garrett says.

Hosting special events can be a low-cost way to get potential users to visit your facility.

“Five years ago, we started holding an annual 5K race,” Squires says. “Some community members who already belong to the fitness center participate, but it also draws those who have never seen our facility before.

“And we hold open houses,” he continues.

“Sometimes people get up here and they’re amazed at the facility and equipment we offer.”

Having a welcoming staff is an often over looked promotional tool. Garrett stresses that her employees learn the names of community members. “People like to be greeted and recognized when they come in,” she says.

That personal touch can be difficult with the various client bases that may use the facility, but it’s worth the extra effort.

“It’s a balancing act since we’re here to provide programming for the students, first and foremost,” says Squires. “But getting to know the community members by name goes a long way.”

MEMBER PACKAGES

Most school fitness facilities offer access via memberships, which can be paid on a yearly, monthly, or even daily basis. The challenge is devising a pricing structure that corresponds with your offerings.

“Use of our facility is free for students, but it can be tricky coming up with the prices outside community members pay,” Squires says. “We try to stay competitive with the gyms around us, but our membership fees are relatively minimal. We offer short-term commitments, so you can do one month for $30, with no sign-up fees.

People can try it for a month to see if they like it.

“Our rates have stayed roughly the same since 2006,” he continues. “Usually you want to increase prices over time, but with the economy, we haven’t tried to raise costs.”

At North Rose-Wolcott, members pay $10 per month to use the facility. There is an additional $3 fee per class for Zumba or kettlebell workouts.

The Wellness Center at South Dakota offers three types of community member-

ships: single, couple, and family. Costs are $35, $65, and $75 per month, respectively, or $350, $650, and $750 per year.

“Purchasing a membership gains them full access to facilities just like any student would have,” Mayer explains. “We’re in a small college town, and based on the construction bond and fees from the students, we knew that we needed outside membership to help the place run.”

Angelo State takes a different approach to offering memberships to the community.

“People have to go through a foundation group on campus, which are the President’s Circle, the Alumni Association, the Athletic Foundation, and the Friends of the Library,” says Petty. “The great thing about going through a foundation group is that they do the marketing for us. They promote the facility to the potential members they are targeting since it is a benefit to entice people to join their organization.”

Once in the foundation group, community members still pay a fee for use of the fitness facility, which Angelo State keeps on the high end. “We didn’t want to exploit

Circle No. 146 AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 59

the subsidies we got from the state and the students that helped us build a brand new multi-million dollar facility by offering real cheap rates that could undercut other community fitness facilities,” Petty says. “Our membership cost is probably 10 to 15 per-

centers set aside specific hours for community members, while others offer access while students are also working out.

At North Rose-Wolcott, the facility isn’t available to the community during the school day, except for a brief overlap in the

“I thought there might be some friction between the two groups. But I haven’t had any issues.

The students and community members work out together and they develop friendships and bonds. It’s really neat to watch.” cent more than what it should be based on normal membership fees in town. We really didn’t want to compete—we just wanted to provide another option.”

HOURS & STAFFING

Determining times that the facility will be open to the community requires a close look at overall usage. Some school fitness

NACDA Booth No. 233 60 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

morning. “Then it opens to the public at 4 p.m.,” Hoyt says. “There are still students working out on their own or with an athletic team, but during the school day, it’s being used solely by physical education classes.”

At Penn, the fitness center is open to the community from 5:45-7:45 a.m. each morning, then again after 5:30 p.m. It’s reserved for students and staff between 3:30 and 5:30

Circle No. 147

p.m. “The main issue we have is that we’re on the school district’s schedule,” Garrett says. “So if the schools are closed for break, then the fitness center is closed as well.”

In terms of staffing, considerations include budgets and what type of workers are available. “We have professional staff members on duty whenever we’re open,” Squires says. “And we have student workers as well. Some are paid from our own budget, some are on government work study, and some are paid for through the school’s work study program.”

“We don’t have personal trainers, but we have fitness center attendants, who are minimum wage employees,” Hoyt says. “They have first aid and CPR training, and know how all the equipment works. And some hours are covered by volunteers, who are typically coaches.”

Garrett’s staff at Penn focuses on providing oversight so problems don’t arise.

“When I first got here, security seemed to be an issue, especially on the basketball court,” she says. “So I hired a security officer who’s into fitness as my assistant, and I asked him to help me clean it up. We put rules in place

FACILITIES

and tightened security. I also hired two other teachers and two students. My staff goes through the locker rooms every 15 minutes to keep everyone safe.”

At Angelo State, Petty saves money on front desk staff by using a biometric hand scanner for entrance to the facility. “In the past we had a card swipe system, but we wanted to eliminate that,” he says. “A lot of the students would lose their cards, or they’d get stolen.

“Many of our users from the community don’t like the hand scan because they think it’s tied to the FBI or local law enforcement,” he continues. “But it’s not tied to anything—it just pulls up their data from our local database. So it’s been a culture change to get them used to it. We do allow people to still use an ID card, but we encourage them to use the hand scan instead.”

LOOKING AT LIABILITY

When opening your facility to the community, it’s crucial that you think through ways to lower the risk of injury. “Check with your school attorneys to make sure all legal liability issues are addressed properly,”

Petty says. “There are issues they will want to research.”

Many fitness facilities require users to sign waivers or release forms when they become members. “Once they fill out the membership form, we give them a packet of information, which has waivers they have to sign,” Petty says.

At Tompkins Cortland, users are required to fill out a medical form. “It’s a release form that has 10 questions to make sure the person is healthy enough to participate in the exercise program,” Squires says. “If they check yes to any question, then we require a medical clearance from their primary care physician that we keep on file with their membership application. They’re not cleared to work out until we have that form.”

GROUP EFFORT

A big question administrators initially have about allowing community access to facilities is how adults and students will mix during open hours. Many say they are pleasantly surprised by the town-gown interactions.

“There were some questions at the begin-

Circle No. 148

ning about how 60 and 70 year-olds would integrate into the facility,” Mayer says. “But we’ve tried to make those members feel comfortable and at home here. We listen to their concerns, because we do need the memberships.”

At Tompkins Cortland, Squires has not had problems with the different populations working out together. “When I started here five years ago, I thought there might be some friction between the two groups,” he says.

“But I haven’t had any issues. They seem to mesh well. I’ve watched the interactions between some of our students and community members—they work out together and they develop friendships and bonds. It’s really neat to watch.”

In 12 years at her school, Hoyt has noticed a similar trend. “When I first got here, we didn’t have any kind of fitness facility, and I felt we had to get something for our kids and athletes,” she says. “From the very beginning it was always a school facility open to the community. We bring people together in the format of exercise, health, and wellness. That hasn’t changed, and hopefully it will stay that way.” n

Fitness Facilities Adds Intensity

Strength Bands by Power Systems add resistance to lift training by attaching to weight bars and benches. Made popular by powerlifters, Strength Bands add intensity to any bodyweight workout. Additionally, Strength Bands are effective tools for stretching the upper and lower body. The seamless latex rubber is constructed in layers to prevent breakage. The 41-inch bands are color-coded into seven resistance levels. The retail price ranges from $11 to $70, depending on the width of the band.

Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.powersystems.com

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Calm the Waters

Competitor ® racing lanes feature a patented flow-through design that controls water turbulence and reduces waves to optimize pool conditions for training and competition. Each lane consists of a series of donuts and four- or six-inch Gold Medal disks assembled on a cable.

Each disk rotates independently, allowing wave energy to be absorbed and dispersed within the channel of the lane.

Competitor Swim Products • 800-888-SWIM www.competitorswim.com

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A Unique Design

The new Functional Training Rack Series from Samson Equipment is setting the world of strength and conditioning ablaze. This unique design combines a fully functional Power Rack with not one but two adjustable cable column machines all within a compact area. Never before has an athlete been able to perform all the core lifts a rack/platform provides with the multifaceted capability of a fully operational functional trainer. This product is extremely easy to adjust and use quickly, getting your athletes in and out of every facet of a workout much more effectively. The new 111FTR Rack Series is only from Samson Equipment.

Samson Equipment • 800-472-6766 www.samsonequipment.com

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Progressive Powerlifting

These 60-inch long loading chains for progressive powerlifting come with end hooks, and one or more chains can be added to improve your blasting power. Made of heavyduty forged steel, there are four different chains available for any level of lifting: light duty (25 pounds per pair), medium duty (40 pounds per pair), heavy duty (55 pounds per pair), and extra heavy duty (88 pounds per pair). The company can supply chains up to 200 feet long and can add attachment weights of up to 100 pounds to each chain. Call for more information or prices.

New York Barbells of Elmira, Inc. • 800-446-1833 www.newyorkbarbells.com Circle No. 503 62 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

Squat Stand

Perform Better’s new Single Leg Squat Stand is perfect for working your hamstrings, glutes, quads, and low back. It allows you to perform all single-leg exercises comfortably with its tubular top and vinyl encased foam covering. Its sturdy design is made with a diamond-plated platform and it measures 18 inches high.

No more searching for a bench to do your lower-body work. For more information on Perform Better’s Single Leg Squat Stand, go online or check out the company’s new 2012 catalog. Call for your free copy.

Perform Better • 800-556-7464 www.performbetter.com

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Latest Innovation

Power Lift introduces its newest innovation: the RS2 Power Rack. Standard features include: two-inch adjustment positions, one pair of bar catches, one pair of spot bars, weight storage, one dual grip chin-up handle, spotter’s platforms, hanging bar storage, and band and chain storage. Optional attachments can be added to create an ideal working station. Optional items include: band attachments, band shafts, rack dip attachment, bar catches, rotating chin-up handles, side mounted chin-up handles, single-leg/glute ham attachment, high rotation attachment, squat/step up platform, rack squat handles, wrist roller, and additional spot bars.

Power Lift • 800-872-1543 www.power-lift.com

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Design-Build Solutions

ClearSpan Fabric Structures provides design-build solutions for your athletic and recreational structure needs.

Hercules Truss Arch Buildings feature abundant natural light and spacious interiors without support posts for a superior training environment. With minimal foundation requirements, the structures can be permanent or temporary, and are easy to relocate. Made in the USA, they can be built to any length and up to 300 feet wide, and are designed to meet local wind and snow load requirements.

ClearSpan Fabric Structures • 866-643-1010 www.clearspan.com

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Open Access Lockers

Salsbury Industries’ standard lockers were too small for football, baseball, and softball teams, so the company’s Open Access Lockers provide large vented space for clothing, uniforms, and many other applications. Salsbury’s Open Access Lockers include a coat rod and feature a lockable upper shelf and foot locker for secure equipment storage. Salsbury Industries’ trained and knowledgeable staff can get you what you need on time and on budget. Go online for a free catalog.

Salsbury Industries • 800-LOCKERS www.lockers.com

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fabric structures

F L E X I B L E F I N A N C E S O L U T I O N S O N FA B R I C S T R U C T U R E S * TERMS UP TO 7 YEARS RATES AS LOW AS 4.99% AS LITTLE AS 10% DOWN *Subject to credit approval.

A superior environment for training, competing and recreational sports.

Low in cost per square foot.

Natural daytime lighting.

Easy to relocate.

Expandable.

Call one of our ClearSpan specialists today at 1.866.643.1010 or visit www.ClearSpan.com/ADAM2.

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Fitness Facilities Protects Against Pathogens

The GymWipes product line offers full-spectrum protection and costeffective solutions to safely clean and sanitize all fitness equipment surfaces. Bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal, the EPA-registered disinfecting/sanitizing formulas protect against 50-plus dangerous pathogens. Containing no alcohol, phenol, or bleach, the line is tested and approved by leading manufacturers. Counts range from 700 to 1,200. Attractive dispensers and stands are available.

GymWipes • 888-977-3726 www.2xlcorp.com

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With more than 30 years’ experience, Yeadon Domes is an industry leader in the production of seasonal and permanent air supported structures. It provides some of the most cost-effective fabric structure domes for sports, military, and industrial usage. Custom-designed and easy to maintain, every Yeadon Dome provides the ultimate in efficiency, safety, and comfort. All products are backed by Yeadon’s technical support and service team. To learn more, call for a consultation or go online.

Yeadon Fabric Structures • 1-800-4YEADON (800-493-2366) www.yeadondomes.com Circle No. 565

Build for Success

Learn The Ropes

VP Buildings • 800-238-3246 www.vp.com

Total Strength and Speed • 888-532-8227 www.totalstrengthandspeed.com

VP Buildings is a world leader in the steel systems construction industry, and is an ideal choice for athletic building solutions. Whether you need a gymnasium, arena, indoor soccer and football practice facility, or other structure, VP Buildings offers not only the design capability but also the flexibility and sophistication to fulfill your needs.

Proven Quality, Efficiency

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Rope training is quickly becoming one of the most popular training methods available today, and Total Strength and Speed offers a great selection of exercise ropes, sled pulling ropes, and rack pull-up ropes. All styles are available in multiple lengths, with either one- or two-inch diameters, and either manila or composite construction. Call or go online to learn more.

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AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 63

Product Launch

Green Star Series

Athletix Disinfectant Wipes

Qualite www.qualite.com 800-933-9741 Circle No. 550

Athletix by Contec, Inc. www.athletix.com 864-503-8333 Circle No. 563

Unique features:

• 96-percent efficient—the most energy efficient technology system in sports lighting • Guaranteed light levels, with smooth, dependable brilliance • Smart controls that work with and for you; available in wired and wireless options Benefits for the user:

• Extended lamp life • Lifetime warranty and product support

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

• Wipes kill antibioticresistant bacteria as well as many other common bacteria.

• EPA registered in all 50 U.S. states, including California.

• Convenient and easy to use to disinfect surfaces in health clubs, fitness facilities, or spas.

• Phenol-free, contains no ammonia, bleach, or alcohol, and safe for most surfaces.

ORDER FORM

In the Fight Against Concussions: Reliable Resources zx Symptoms to watch for post-concussion

zx Questions to ask your physician

Code AM 24.4

Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Daytime Phone:

(To be used if there’s a problem with your order)

Email address:

zx What you need to know about neurocognitive testing, and whether to seek additional testing zx Understanding return-to-play guidelines

PLEASE PRINT INFO.

MAG, Inc. • 20 Eastlake Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850

PAYMENT METHOD

SHIPPING PRICES

q U.S. check made payable to MAG, Inc. enclosed (sorry, only US orders)

q VISA

0-$49.99 50-$99.99 $ 100-$149.99 $ 150-and up $

q MasterCard

q Discover

q AmerEx

Credit card #: ________/________/________/________

= $8.00 = $9.00 = $10.00 = $12.00

Expiration date: _____/_____ 3 or 4 digit code: _______

1450

$

zx Information on choosing the right helmet

TEAM DISCOUNT Special bulk

pricing for orders of 20 or more books

Cardholder Name PRINTED: Cardholder Signature: ITEM QUANTITY

TITLE

PRICE

Parents’ Guide to Sports Concussions Fax this order to 607-257-7328 or Mail this order to MAG, Inc., 20 Eastlake Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850

Subtotal $ + Shipping $ NY residents add sales tax $ = TOTAL $ Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Ca l l 877.422 . 55 48 E x t.1 1 fo r m o re i nfo r m a t i o n .

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Fitness Facilities Lane Tightener

Specially Designed

These kettle bells with wide handles are specially designed with large openings to prevent bruising of the back of the hand and wrist. The company offers kettle bells in five-pound increments from 10 to 100 pounds, and monster bells in 25-pound increments from 125 to 200 pounds. You can make your purchase in either a three-, four-, seven-, or nine-piece set to save money. Kettle bell hand covers are also available.

New York Barbells of Elmira, Inc. • 800-446-1833 www.newyorkbarbells.com Circle No. 506

Ideal for any Facility

Power Lift’s Pro Plate Load 4 Way Neck is an ideal equipment piece for any strength-training facility. Standard features include: two-peg weight storage on the work arm side and three-peg weight storage on the non-work arm side; non-marking rubber floor bumpers; an oversized adjustable seat pad; contoured face pads which naturally rotate with the user through the exercise; an adjustable chest pad, and a cam and belt design that reduces the fly-away effect.

Power Lift • 800-872-1543 www.power-lift.com

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Back By Popular Demand

Perform Better has brought back, by popular demand, its PB Extreme Converta-Balls. These durable balls are great for swinging, chopping, and slamming and were designed to withstand your toughest workouts.

Use the rope for throws, chops, or rotational swings, or remove the rope to use as a regular medicine ball. Seven different weights are available, making it the perfect tool for everyone of all fitness levels.

For more information on Perform Better’s new PB Extreme Converta-Balls, go online or check out the company’s new 2012 catalog. Call for your free copy.

Perform Better • 800-556-7464 www.performbetter.com

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Maximize Comfort

The Ultra Kettlebell by Power Systems is designed to maximize comfort for the user when performing ballistic exercises for cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training. The smooth, solid-steel handle allows for an easy grip. Power Systems’ Ultra Kettlebells are made of cast iron with rubber plates on the bottom to prevent damage to the floor and storage racks. Power Systems offers the Ultra Kettlebell in weights from five to 100 pounds, and prices ranging from $24 to $156.

Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.powersystems.com

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Competitor Swim Products now distributes the Titeline swimming lane tightener. The Titeline is easy to install and simple to operate. After initial installation, no tools are required—just twist and untwist the Titeline to adjust the racing lane tension.

Because the Titeline does not twist the cable each time tension is adjusted, there is no wear and tear on the swimming lane cable. Constructed of durable, noncorrosive materials, the Titeline will not rust or crack, and it has a non-slip rubberized grip. For a limited time, Competitor is offering a free upgrade to the Titeline when customers order a set of Competitor Gold Medal racing lanes.

Competitor Swim Products • 800-888-SWIM www.competitorswim.com

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Powerful Motivation

Athletic record boards from Austin Plastics are a great way to motivate your athletes to do their very best. The company’s boards are easy to install, made of durable plastic, and available in your school colors. Track record boards are available in three standard sizes and can be customized to fit your needs. Record plates can be engraved, or you can print your own using Austin Plastics’ printing program and perforated card stock. Custom and standard boards are available for all sports.

Austin Plastics & Supply, Inc. • 800-290-1025 www.athleticrecordboards.com

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Versatile and Effective Tool Push it. Pull it. Drag it. Since its first sale in April 2005, Williams Strength’s Prowler 2 has been featured on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” called “quite possibly the most versatile and effective conditioning tool ever devised” by Muscle and Fitness, and been used by more than half of all NFL teams and countless colleges, high schools, and training centers. All of this has made it the most popular conditioning sled ever built.

Total Strength and Speed • 888-532-8227 www.totalstrengthandspeed.com

Circle No. 553

More Than Just Bleachers

Collegiate sports facilities reflect the traditions of their schools.

They have moved beyond grandstands and bleachers. Today, they are spectator entertainment venues equipped with fullservice restaurants, luxury suites, and comfortable seating.

These new facilities not only create a better experience for the fans, they’re also good for business. Heery’s expertise in master planning, design, engineering, and construction management helps clients by developing revenue-generating strategies, such as facility flexibility and amenity options.

Heery International • 800-52-HEERY www.heery.com

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AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 65

Testimonial

Fitness Flooring High-Quality Adhesive

Installers choose NORDOT® Adhesive #113D because it’s a high-quality, one-part curing urethane that pours and spreads easily, unlike heavy, filler-loaded pastes. It’s also VOCcompliant, low-hazard, water-free, and weighs only 10 pounds per gallon. Plus, it fights mold and has negligible odor. In this photo, NORDOT® Adhesive #113D has been used to bond the hardwood floor, and now is being troweled on concrete prior to unrolling the track on to it.

Synthetic Surfaces Inc. • 908-233-6803 www.nordot.com

Ideal Athletic Training Facility

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Enhanced Slip Resistance

CoverSports has expanded the GymGuard® gym floor cover product line to include GymGuard Plus. GymGuard Plus has a unique raised pattern that provides enhanced slip resistance and costs no more than standard GymGuard. GymGuard Plus offers an advanced level of safety and durability for ultimate gym floor protection. GymGuard Plus is available in 27- and 32-ounce weights and gray and tan colors. Contact CoverSports for test results or GymGuard samples.

Dave Peluchette, Buzzy Evans, and Terry Edwards have been training and coaching in various sports for years, so it’s no wonder that the trio wanted to open an indoor training center to share their knowledge and experience with young adults and children.

CoverSports • 800-445-6680 www.coversports.com

After researching online, Peluchette discovered the ClearSpan Web site.

“I have always wanted to open a big facility and I was really impressed by the openness of ClearSpan structures,” he says. “We wanted a wide-open building with a lot of height.”

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Absorbs Impact and Sound

Protect and beautify floors with TopMat II. This rubber flooring system is available in 48” x 48” interlocking tiles, 48” x 48” squares, and 48” wide x 15’ long rolls. The rolls are also offered with optional interlocking tabs for long installations. The durable, slip-resistant, 3/8-inch-thick recycled rubber absorbs both sound and the impact of free weights. TopMat II is available in black or black with white, red, blue, yellow, or green flecks.

Linear Rubber Products • 800-588-4040 www.rubbermats.com

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Stands Up To Abuse

The 1.25-inch thick Infinity Max can stand up to the abuse of heavy weights being dropped directly on the weightroom floor without denting, tearing, or splitting.

Infinity Max can even be used as an Olympic lifting platform. This product is available in more than 10 standard colors, and custom colors and custom logos are available. Infinity Max is backed by an exclusive 10-year warranty.

Infinity Performance, Inc. • 888-479-1017 www.infinityflooring.com

They decided that a 72’ wide by 220’ long ClearSpan Hercules Truss Arch Building was the best choice for their new Total Athlete Indoor Training Center. The center offers a multisurface and artificial turf area, a 2,000 square foot weightroom, a basketball court, batting cages, and more.

Peluchette says, “There’s a ‘wow’ factor when you first walk in the building. The height and openness allow plenty of room for training and equipment. The building is working out well.”

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Proven Toughness

LokTuff from Humane Mfg. is a market leader in rubber flooring. With a tensile strength of up to 1,000 pounds per square inch and a durometer rating of 63, these mats are stronger and softer than many similar products.

Humane has in-house research and development capabilities, and uses the “cleanest” recycled rubber in the industry—never from a landfill. Humane’s rubber mats and flooring will protect your equipment and your floor.

LokTuff comes in several different thicknesses and color options.

Humane Mfg. Co. • 800-369-6263 www.humanemfg.com

Circle No. 562

ClearSpan Fabric Structures 1395 John Fitch Blvd.

South Windsor, CT 06074 866-643-1010 TrussInquiry@ClearSpan.com www.ClearSpan.com/ADAM

Product Launch

Funnel Swirls™ Gold Medal Products Co. www.gmpopcorn.com 800-543-0862 Circle No. 513

Continental MG-Series Washer-Extractors

Continental Girbau, Inc. • www.continentalgirbau.com 800-256-1073 Circle No. 514 Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

• It’s the taste you can’t resist on an easy-to-eat stick • Instructional video available online

• Funnel Swirls™ are the ultimate walking food, freeing up one hand for increased beverage sales • Quick serving time with the Multi-Mold, which makes three Funnel Swirls at a time in approximately 30 seconds

• Highly programmable controls allow for cleaning a variety of items—personal items to uniforms—while promoting fabric longevity and high-level disinfection • Available in 40- and 55-pound capacities

• These highly efficient washers cut utility usage and labor expenses while improving productivity • Automatic chemical injection eliminates the need for adding chemicals manually and overuses/waste

Kay Park & Recreation

1-800-553-2476

Hundreds of products...

Benches, Bleachers, Fountains, Pedal Boats, Picnic Tables, and much more!

Contact us now!

FREE 80 PAGE CATALOGUE 1-800-553-2476 sales@kaypark.com Celebrating 55 Years!

w w w.k aypark .co m Circle No. 151

America’s Finest Since 1954

Equipment Storage

GearBoss® Sports Storage System

Wenger’s GearBoss® and GearBoss II™ storage systems improve inventory management, space utilization, and sanitation. Requiring significantly less space than traditional shelving, these flexible, high-density carts are easily configurable for a variety of equipment. Carts roll along a fixed track, allowing easy access and minimizing wasted space.

Payment plans available: YES Maintenance program included: NO

Synergy Series Aisle-Saver

Aisle-Saver is a flexible, high-density filing and storage system that can effectively double filing and storage capacity in existing facility space.

Payment plans available: NO Maintenance program included: YES

Aurora Mobile Athletic Storage System

Aurora provides mobile storage for a variety of athletic programs, including baseball, football, golf, basketball, swimming, and hockey teams. The company’s mobile storage systems are available in mechanical-assist and powered models, with many options and accessories. School color matching is also available.

Payment plans available: NO

Customizable with accessories after initial purchase: YES

Maintenance program included: OPTIONAL

Accessories offered: Shelves.

Customizable with accessories after initial purchase: YES

Customizable with accessories after initial purchase: YES

Storage component size:

Accessories offered: Closure

ELECTRIC

Storage component size:

SHELVES: YES DRAWERS: YES RACKS: YES DOORS: YES ROOM FOR HANGING APPAREL: YES

Carriages: 3’-51’ Shelving segments: Widths: 24”, 36”, 42”, 48” Depths: 9”, 10”, 12”, 13”, 15”, 16”, 18” 20”, 24”, 26”, 30”, 32”, 36” Heights: 76” = 121”

panels, doors, shelves, garment bars, attic extensions, helmet hangers, and shoulder pad stackers.

Storage component size:

GearBoss: 78” L x 79” H Two widths: 32” and 48” GearBoss II: 72” L x 79” H x 32” W

Variable, custom Unit movement: MANUAL and

Accessories offered: Doors, drawers, bins, reference shelves, equipment racks

Unit movement: MANUAL OR

Unit movement: MANUAL

ELECTRIC

SHELVES: YES DRAWERS: NO RACKS: YES DOORS: YES ROOM FOR HANGING APPAREL: YES

SHELVES: YES DRAWERS: YES RACKS: YES DOORS: YES ROOM FOR HANGING APPAREL: YES

Wenger Corp.

800-493-6437 (800-4WENGER) www.wengercorp.com/gearboss/ Circle No. 516

68 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

Borroughs Corporation 800-748-0227 www.borroughs.com

Aurora Storage 800-277-1699 www.aurorastorage.com

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Circle No. 551

Washers & Dryers

Equipment Storage Unmatched Durability

Continental Pro-Series II commercial dryers are designed with quality internal components and a multitude of features that dramatically increase laundry production while slashing utility consumption. Pro-Series dryers are equipped with Integrated Sprinkler Systems for your safety and provide unmatched durability. Designed for greater flexibility and efficiency in mind, Pro-Series controls are easy to use and reliable. Pro-Series dryers—backed by an industry-leading factory warranty—are durable, ergonomic, and easy to maintain.

Continental Girbau, Inc. • 800-256-1073 www.continentalgirbau.com

Circle No. 525

Great Savings

Wardrobe Drawer

Hang up garments in this easymoving shipping case, and then organize other gear in the large drawers with adjustable dividers.

This case is big enough to hold lots of gear, yet it fits easily in cargo bays of buses and airplanes. This heavy-duty case comes standard with phenolic casters.

Payment plans available: NO Maintenance program included: NO Customizable with accessories after initial purchase: NO Accessories offered: See all

specs on the company’s Web site.

Save, save, save with Milnor’s 30022 V6J washer-extractor with RinSave® water-saver and M76ED dryer. This 60-pound capacity washer-extractor offers excellent wash quality with reduced water consumption and reduced process times. The M76ED dryer provides energy efficiency without compromising speed and effectiveness. These eco-friendly models make an excellent choice for any athletic program.

Milnor Laundry Systems • 800-469-8780 www.milnor.com

Circle No. 523

Cost-Saving Features

Continental E-Series Washers—available in 20- to 255-pound capacities—bring a myriad of cost-saving features to athletic facilities while enabling high-level disinfection. Designed to drive down gas, water, and electrical costs while improving productivity, Continental’s freestanding washers deliver high-speed extract, unmatched durability, and superior programmability to promote fabric longevity. Continental washers are backed by industry-leading factory warranties. Continental Girbau, Inc., is a world-renowned provider of industrial laundry equipment.

Continental Girbau, Inc. • 800-256-1073 www.continentalgirbau.com

Circle No. 524

s ta d i u m s G r a n d s ta n d s Bleachers Years from SOUTHERN BLEACHER COMPANY

Storage component size:

See all specs on the company’s Web site.

Unit movement: MANUAL

East Lansing, Michigan 1,062 seat mitered stadium. Interlock 2000 decking.

124 Irwin chairs, 926 bench seats and 12 wheelchair seating spaces. Secchia Stadium is the home of Spartan softball. The stadium is located in the heart of Old College Field, MSU's most historic athletic site.

MiCHigAN STATE UNivERSiTY

LEgENdARY iNdUSTRY iNNOvATiONS Wilson Case, Inc. 800-322-5493 www.wilsoncase.com

www.southernbleacher.com

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12SB_AMBG_4.625x4.8125_KAd.indd 1

n

since 1946

800.433.0912 NACDA Booth No. 226 AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 69

11/2/11 2:26 PM

2012

aEMA/NACDA Conventions’ spotlight

Athletic Management 607-257-6970 www.athleticmanagement.com AEMA Booth No. 601 NACDA Booth No. 239

The source for high school and college athletics, stop by Athletic Management’s booth to pick up your convention show packet that contains flyers and special offers from advertisers. See samples of customer-printed books created specially for college athletic departments.

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Choice Sports Travel makes it easy.

Choice Sports Travel can help you find the ideal accommodations to meet your team’s travel needs, allowing you to focus on the game. With more than 6,100 hotels to choose from, Choice Hotels offers first-rate amenities such as free breakfast, free Internet, and free parking. Wherever the game takes you, Choice Sports Travel makes getting there easy.

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Daktronics 800-DAKTRONICS www.daktronics.com NACDA Booth No. 223

Representatives of BigSigns.com will be on hand to discuss and explain how its products can be used to update the look of your playing facility, generate sponsor revenue, and help brand your programs.

Also, stop by the BigSigns.com booth and get registered for free give-away prizes.

Daktronics will be featuring the latest LED video and messaging technology, scoring and timing systems, and large-area sound systems. The company will also highlight new product offerings including its indoor 4mm video, its Show Control system, and venue-wide digital signage using IPTV technology. Daktronics is proud to announce that it will be sponsoring the Wounded Warrior Salute Concert on Tuesday evening, June 26, at the Hilton Anatole Sculpture Park.

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BigSigns.com 800-790-7611 www.bigsigns.com NACDA Booth No. 403

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Borroughs Corporation 800-748-0227 www.borroughs.com AEMA Booth No. 506

Watch the company’s video to learn more about optimizing storage. A product specialist will be on location.

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Choice Hotels International 877-249-AWAY www.choicesportstravel.com NACDA Booth No. 138

Whether you’re looking to book a room for one game or an entire season, 70 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

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Environmental Sports Products LLC 866-321-4243 www.esproclean.com AEMA Booth No. 319

ESPRO SPORTS CLEANER is formulated to remove difficult stains associated with athletic competition. The product has brightening agents to give uniforms a “like new” appearance all season long. ESPRO Clean contains ODOR-GUARD, a highly effective odor eliminator that helps fight odors caused by mold and mildew. It is environmentally friendly, as it contains no butyl, bleach, or phosphates, and is available in a four ounce travel size, 32 ounce spray, and one gallon team size.

Circle No. 561

Heery International 800-52-HEERY www.heery.com NACDA Booth No. 233

Collegiate sports facilities reflect the traditions of their schools. They have moved beyond grandstands and bleachers. Today, they are spectator entertainment venues equipped with full-service restaurants, luxury suites, and comfortable seating. These new facilities not only create a better experience for the fans, they’re also good for business.

Heery’s expertise in master planning, design, engineering, and construction management helps clients by developing revenue-generating strategies, such as facility flexibility and amenity options.

Heery also understands that a comfortable, clean facility brings an entire family to a sporting event, cultivating the next generation of fans.

Circle No. 537

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Milnor Laundry Systems 800-469-8780 www.milnor.com AEMA Booth No. 313

Pellerin Milnor is a leading commercial and industrial laundry equipment manufacturer. Its washer-extractors range in size from 25-pound to 700-pound capacity and its dryers range from 30 to 550 pounds. The company’s 30022 V6J washer-extractor (60-pound capacity) with exclusive RinSave® water-saver standard is ideal for any athletic department. Its durability and efficiency can handle any load, without compromising wash quality.

Circle No. 518

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Musco Sports Lighting 800-825-6030 www.musco.com NACDA Booth No. 329

For more than 30 years, Musco

2012

aEMA/NACDA Conventions’ spotlight Sports Lighting has specialized in the design and manufacture of athletic field lighting. Using the company’s revolutionary system approach, all product components are engineered to work together, providing solutions for lighting, electrical, and structural needs. Musco’s newest innovation, Light-Structure Green™, cuts operating costs in half and eliminates 100-percent maintenance costs for 25 years with the Constant 25™ product assurance and warranty program. Green Generation Lighting™ also reduces offsite spill light by 50 percent over prior industryleading technology. Musco guarantees performance for indoor or outdoor, permanent or temporary lighting needs.

For your next project, call Musco or go visit the company online.

Circle No. 552

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Sound & Video Creations 615-460-7330 www.clickeffects.com NACDA Booth No. 402

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Click Effects systems—Click Effects, CrossFire, BLAZE, FlashBack, and Pro Audio—set new benchmarks in providing video and audio content control and delivery for live sports and entertainment events in stadiums and arenas.

With a simple point and click, these display systems deliver scheduled and live impulse video clips, audio tracks, graphics, instant replays, animation, and sponsor ads that not only entertain audiences but also provide powerful revenue-generating opportunities.

AEMA Booth No. 312

Porta Phone will introduce at the AEMA Convention the COMSTAR, a lightweight yet heavy-duty “all in one” full duplex wireless headset. All COMSTAR self-contained headsets feature a miniaturized transceiver and antenna that is built right into the earcups. This breakthrough streamlined design eliminates, once and for all, the need for beltpack transceivers and headset cable.

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Southern Bleacher Co. 800-433-0912 www.southernbleacher.com

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NACDA Booth No. 226

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Southern Bleacher will be hosting members of NATYCAA with a dinner on Sunday, June 24 at Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse in downtown Dallas.

Registry for Excellence 800-395-3551 www.reg4ex.com NACDA Booth No. 118 AEMA Booth No. 815

Hundreds of schools across the country use Registry for Excellence’s customized pewter plates for awards and other

UniversityTickets is a leading provider of ticketing services for high schools, colleges, and universities. Since 1999, UniversityTickets has offered cost-effective ways to sell tickets and collect payments online with options for season ticketing, point of sale, ticket validation, online renewals, secure student authentication, and more. The company’s products were born in a college environment and continue to develop around the needs of its high school, college, and university clients.

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Porta Phone 800-233-1113 www.portaphone.com

mementoes. They are designed specifically for your event, and can be built to include meaningful achievement medallions or custom engraving. All awards are made in the U.S. and are sold directly from the factory. Registry for Excellence plates are great for championship teams, MVP awards, scholar-athletes, donor recognition, and much more.

Wenger Corporation 800-4WENGER www.wengercorp.com/gearboss/ NACDA Booth No. 431 AEMA Booth No. 413, 512

Wenger will be exhibiting innovative GearBoss solutions for athletic facilities and equipment. Team room lockers are available in more than 1,000 different configurations—sizes, features, and accessories—with either wood or metal construction. A variety of color/finish choices are available, from school colors to wood-grain laminates. Wood lockers are constructed of a durable, easy-toclean wood laminate incorporating antimicrobial nanosilver technology.

Other GearBoss solutions include highdensity storage systems, shelving, multifunction carts, merchandise kiosks for fundraising, and a full complement of accessories. GearBoss solutions tackle the challenges athletic departments face every day, while helping to reinforce and build program pride.

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UniversityTickets 888-771-1420 www.universitytickets.com NACDA Booth No. 427

AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 71

Directory

Advertisers Directory Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

139. AAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

136. Cool Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

143. New York Barbells of Elmira. . . . . . . . . . 57

®

101. Aer-Flo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

135. CoverSports (FenceMate TuffPrint™. . . 45

154. Parents’ Guide to Sports Concussions. . . 64

132. All American Fund Raising . . . . . . . . . . . 42

119. CoverSports (gym floor covers). . . . . . . . 25

130. Perform Better. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

105. American Public University. . . . . . . . . . . . 9

134. Daktronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

118. Porta Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

137. American Sports Builders Assn. . . . . . . . 47

125. Environmental Sports Products. . . . . . . . 33

141. Power Lift®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

140. Athletic Management Program Services.53

102. Gatorade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

123. Registry for Excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

112. Aurora Storage Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 124. Austin Plastics & Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

®

100. Gearboss by Wenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC ®

131. Gold Medal Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 ®

120. Salsbury Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 117. Samson Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

115. BigSigns.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

153. GreensGroomer WorldWide. . . . . . . . . . BC

150. Southern Bleacher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

152. BigSigns.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

126. GymWipes FORCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

106. Sports Tutor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

104. Borroughs Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

147. Heery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

109. Synthetic Surfaces Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

129. California University of Pennsylvania. . . . 36

144. Humane Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

110. Synthetic Surfaces Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

103. Choice Hotels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

146. Infinity Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

114. Synthetic Surfaces Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

149. ClearSpan Fabric Structures. . . . . . . . . . 63

151. Kay Park Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

148. Total Strength and Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . 61

127. Click Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

121. Linear Rubber Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

116. University Tickets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

128. Competitor Swim Products. . . . . . . . . . . 35

107. MilkPEP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

138. VP Buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

133. Concordia University-Irvine. . . . . . . . . . . 42

122. Milnor Laundry Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

108. Wilson Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

142. Continental Girbau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

111. Musco Sports Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

145. Yeadon Fabric Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

547.

548.

531.

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538.

501.

557.

541.

543.

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536.

526.

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522.

533.

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535.

558.

567.

537.

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Products Directory AAE (Ballstopper Systems). . . . . . . . . . . 73 AAE (Players’ Sideline Shelter). . . . . . . . 74 Aer-Flo (Tuffy® Windscreen). . . . . . . . . . 73 Aer-Flo (VIPOL® Matrix) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 All American Fund Raising . . . . . . . . . . . 74 American Public University. . . . . . . . . . . 74 Athletic Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Athletix by Contec. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Aurora Storage Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Austin Plastics & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 BigSigns.com (NACDA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 BigSigns.com (Wall Skin). . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Borroughs Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Borroughs Corporation (AEMA). . . . . . . . 70 California University of Pennsylvania. . . . 73 Choice Hotels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 ClearSpan Fabric Structures. . . . . . . . . . 62 Click Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Competitor Swim Products (racing lanes).62 Competitor Swim Products (Titeline). . . . 65 Continental Girbau (E-Series Washers). . 69 Continental Girbau (Pro-Series II) . . . . . . 69 Continental Girbau (product launch). . . . 67

72 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

Cool Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 CoverSports (Citizens Bank Park). . . . . . 73 CoverSports (GymGuard® Plus). . . . . . . . 66 Daktronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Environmental Sport Products. . . . . . . . . 70 Gatorade (Energy Chews). . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Gatorade (Recovery Beverage). . . . . . . . 73 GearBoss® by Wenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 GearBoss® by Wenger (NACDA/AEMA) . . 71 Gold Medal® Products (Flavacol RS®). . . 74 Gold Medal® Products (product launch). 67 Gold Medal® (profitability guides). . . . . . 74 GymWipes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Heery (fitness facilities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Heery (NACDA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Humane Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Infinity Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Kay Park Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Linear Rubber Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Milnor Laundry Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Milnor Laundry Systems (AEMA). . . . . . . 70 Musco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 New York Barbells (kettle bells). . . . . . . . 65

New York Barbells (loading chains). . . . . 62 Perform Better (Extreme Converta-Balls).65 Perform Better (Single Leg Squat Stand).62 Porta Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Power Lift (4 Way Neck). . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Power Lift (RS2 Power Rack) . . . . . . . . . 62 Power Systems (Strength Bands). . . . . . 62 Power Systems (Ultra Kettlebell). . . . . . . 65 Qualite Sports Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Registry for Excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Salsbury Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Samson Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Southern Bleacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Synthetic Surfaces Inc. (#113D). . . . . . . 66 Synthetic Surfaces Inc. (#34P-4). . . . . . . 73 Total Strength and Speed (Prowler 2). . . 65 Total Strength and Speed (ropes). . . . . . 63 University Tickets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 VP Buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Wilson Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Yeadon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

More Products Supports Muscle Rebuilding

G Series Protein Recovery Beverage is a protein and carbohydrate beverage formulated with the consistency of a thirst quencher. It has an effective amount of protein that contains essential amino acids needed to help support muscle rebuilding after training or competition.

G Series Recover should be consumed within about 60 minutes after exercise for maximum muscle benefit.

Gatorade • 800-884-2867 www.gatorade.com

Circle No. 526

Significant Reductions

Cool Draft’s portable misting fans will significantly reduce unsafe playing or practice conditions due to heat by reducing ambient air temperatures as much as 35 degrees, thus reducing heat-related injuries. The 360 series of misting fans are self-contained, completely U.S. made, and provide a convenient and safe way to transport the fans. All of this without the high price tag associated with high end misting fans.

Cool Draft Scientific, LLC • 877-676-1140 www.cooldraft.com

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Used by Champions

CoverSports field covers and wall padding products are now being used at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. CoverSports custom-made a full infield tarp with custom twist, easier-to-grab handles, inserted grommets in 12-foot intervals, and webbing on all four sides for additional reinforcement. The company also provided six custom rain spot covers to protect the pitchers’ mounds and home plates on the playing field and both bullpens, plus padding to cover the entire outfield fence, as well as the foul line territories in right and left fields and bullpen areas.

CoverSports • 800-445-6680 www.coversports.com

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Flexible Online Program

The 12-month, 30-credit Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion at California University of Pennsylvania is 100-percent web based. The flexibility of the online program allows professionals or military personnel, who would be precluded from attending graduate school in the traditional sense, to complete the MS program while still maintaining their full-time positions. Call or go online for more information and a list of degree programs.

California University of Pennsylvania • 866-595-6348 www.calu.edu/go Circle No. 528

Extend the Installation Season

The newly patented Tuffy ® Ballasted Windscreen can save chain link fences from high wind damage. Each unit attaches only at the top, and the bottom edge is weighted to keep screen vertical in low winds. As wind velocity exceeds 20 miles per hour, downwind sections begin to billow out, allowing damaging wind to escape through. This screen is engineered to save fences in winds up to 90 miles per hour.

It is available in 20 Vipol® colors and with Chroma-Bond Multi-color imprinting.

Aer-Flo, Inc. • 800-823-7356 www.aerflo.com

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Make Walls Come Alive

Take your branding and make it come alive on your walls using BigSigns.com’s new conforming wall decal. Wall Skin takes on the texture of your concrete, brick, tile, and other curved or flat substrates, giving it a paint-like appearance. The premium vinyl makes it ideal for full color graphics. Wall Skin can take your bare wall spaces and turn them into key graphic representations of your brand, organization, and sponsors.

BigSigns.com 800-790-7611 www.bigsigns.com

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The Perfect Solution

NORDOT® Adhesive #34P-4 is a recently developed “high green strength” (high grab), one-part curing urethane that extends the synthetic turf installation season. It helps companies who install year-round because it performs well in all types of weather conditions from extreme summer heat to harsh winter cold. See photos of installations in progress on the “Action Pictures” page at: www.nordot.com.

Synthetic Surfaces Inc. • 908-233-6803 www.nordot.com

Save Your Fences

Circle No. 529

Sometimes an afterthought on major stadium or sports field projects, but none the less important, is ball containment and safety. With a full line of BallStopper Systems (in-ground or portable), AAE can design the perfect solution to many of the problems faced on a project—fields surrounded by parking lots, residential areas, or steep embankments.

BallStoppers also reduce the chance that misdirected balls may cause bodily harm or property damage.

Aluminum Athletic Equipment • 800-523-5471 www.myaaeworld.com Circle No. 547 AthleticManagement.com | JUNE/JULY 2012 73

More Products Great Fundraising Options

All American Fund Raising’s main programs focus on gift-giving, with brochures detailing the items it offers, from gift-wrap and deli items to fine chocolates. Each order is carefully packaged in-house, with each order itemized for the individual student. The company also offers valuable prizes and incentives for the school and the student sellers. Sales representatives have a full selection of ways to encourage organizations in their fundraiser.

All American Fund Raising • 402-779-2000 www.allamericanfr.com

Not sure what to sell? Find free information on the profits and food costs of the top-selling concession foods. Gold Medal’s profitability guides eliminate the guesswork and the Online Profit Calculator helps tailor your fundraising using the product’s retail price, supply costs, servings per day, and days open per week/month.

You’ll get real-time projected profits. This information and more is available at: www.gmpopcorn.com. Hard copies of the guides are also available.

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Super Premium, Value Priced

The Tuffy ® Windscreen lasts for many years because it’s made of the exclusive VIPOL® Matrix. Featuring a five-year factory warranty, this windscreen is used by high school, NCAA, and NFL teams. It is available in 20 standard colors, including purple, brown, burnt orange, and scarlet.

The super durable Chroma-Bond® Imprinting technology produces multi-color logos that do not fade like digital printing. It’s the Official Windscreen of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association—super premium but surprisingly value-priced. Sold only by Aer-Flo dealers.

Aer-Flo, Inc. • 800-823-7356 www.aerflo.com

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Sell More Popcorn

Now the taste customers love has 30-percent less sodium than the regular Flavacol®. The new Flavacol RS® is a “Heartfelt Popcorn Seasoning” with the recommended daily value of four percent dietary fiber. It’s the perfect blend of ingredients without trace minerals to give popcorn a bright, appealing yellow color for maximum sales with less sodium. Worldwide, more popcorn is popped with Flavacol® Seasoning Salts.

Gold Medal Products Co. • 800-543-0862 www.gmpopcorn.com

G Series Energy Chews are a pre-game fuel in a convenient form. They are designed to be used about 15 minutes prior to training or competition to provide energy from a concentrated blend of carbohydrates to fuel athlete performance. G Series Energy Chews help make carbohydrate energy rapidly available to working muscles for the start of activity, so athletes might feel the difference at the beginning of training or competition.

Gatorade • 800-884-2867 www.gatorade.com

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Circle No. 534

Free Profitability Guides

Gold Medal Products Co. • 800-543-0862 www.gmpopcorn.com

Pre-Game Fuel

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Seating Solutions

“SPEEDY BLEACHER 108” is an economical-folding, highwaytowable, very versatile seating solution by Kay Park. It seats 108 people and has both an aisle and handrail. It is easily moved from one field to another with a conventional vehicle. Complete with an electric folding mechanism and telescoping tongue, the bleacher can easily be put where it is needed in just a few minutes by one person. Move it anywhere you need event seating. This product is more economical than having permanent bleachers at every location that sit empty most of the year. It is seven rows, 27 feet long, less than nine feet high and built to meet recent safety codes.

Kay Park Recreation Corp. • 800-553-2476 www.kaypark.com

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Protection from the Elements

Your athletes work hard, so help them rest up between plays in a Players’ Sideline Shelter. This semi-permanent, all-weather unit provides protection from the elements with its tinted plexiglass back/sides and removable vinyl canopy shelters. The generously sized seat and backrest offers comfort and a convenient elevated shelf with a hinged cover that opens to store athletes’ gear. Optional padded trainer’s table can be connected in rear.

Aluminum Athletic Equipment • 800-523-5471 www.myaaeworld.com Circle No. 548

Flexible Programs for Your Lifestyle

American Public University offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of specialties. Whether you are working in a municipal, commercial fitness, school, or military setting, APU offers a flexible and affordable program to fit your lifestyle. APU’s tuition is far less than other top online universities so you can further your education without breaking the bank.

American Public University System •703-334-3870 www.studyatAPU.com/athletic-mgmt Circle No. 564

Case Study

CoverSports Supplies Phillies with Field Covers, Wall Padding

T

he Philadelphia Phillies and Citizens Bank Park, home of the perennial National League Eastern Division Champions, have purchased a variety of CoverSports FieldSaver ® field covers and Nissen EnviroSafe® wall padding products for the re-sodded stadium.

entire outfield, including the foul line territories of right and left fields and the bullpen areas. These pads, which will replace the stadium padding that was originally installed when the park opened, are filled with three-inch EnviroSafe IFD-100 foam backed with 3⁄4-inch plywood.

The heights of the pads range from 30 inches to eight feet, three inches, and also feature seven distance markers printed on the padding in white numerals with red and blue trim.

CoverSports custom-made a full infield tarp, 175’ x 175’ of 6.3-ounce white/white polyethylene, with custom twist, easier-to-grab handles, inserted grommets in 12-foot intervals, and webbing on all four sides for additional reinforcement. Six custom rain spot covers in maple green 18-ounce vinyl with two-foot grommet intervals were manufactured to protect the pitchers’ mounds and home plates on the playing field and both bullpens.

CoverSports

In addition, CoverSports used an 18-ounce emerald green vinyl to make padding to cover the walls of the

5000 Paschall Ave.• Philadelphia, PA, 19143 800-445-6680 sales@coversports.com • www.coversports.com

For information about CoverSports’ complete range of coverings and fabrics, call, go online, email, or write a letter.

2012 SUPPLIER WEBSITE

A-Turf, Inc.

Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields

See systems details and downloadable product data, plus featured fields by sport and location.

www.aturf.com

Aluminum Athletic Equipment Co. Manufacturer of Athletic Equipment for More Than 60 Years

See specials, download the catalog, and learn about the athletic field design consulting service.

www.myAAEworld.com

Armacell

Turf Underlayment Pad Systems

Check out the section about the Armasport® Turf Underlayment Pad System.

www.armacell.us

Austin Plastics & Supply Athletic Record Boards

Download the company’s printer program and you can print your own records.

www.athleticrecordboards.com

Bona US

Total Hardwood Floor Finishing Solutions

Learn about Bona’s line of hardwood floor finishing systems, as well as product specifications.

www.bona.com

Choice Hotels International

6,100 Hotels with First-Rate Amenities

With Choice Sports Travel, booking is quick and easy so you can focus on what’s important—the game.

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Aer-Flo, Inc.

Field Covers, Protectors & Windscreens

Products for many sports are clearly shown and described, with over 200 authorized dealers listed.

www.aerflo.com

American Public University

Online Programs for Sports Professionals

Learn about degrees, chat live with a representative, and download an informational eKit.

www.StudyatAPU.com/athletic-mgmt

Athletic Edge, by Pivotal Health Solutions

All American Fund Raising Fundraising Products and Ideas

The online store features more than 600 magazines and products that schools can use for fundraisers.

www.allamericanfr.com

America Sports Builders Association

Association Representing Sports Facility Builders

Go online to find a certified builder, specs on construction, and articles on field maintenance.

www.sportsbuilders.org

Aurora Storage Products, Inc. Athletic Equipment & Uniform Storage

Athletic Training Equipment

Space efficient storage for athletic departments, with customizable school colors and logos available.

www.pivotalhealthsolutions.com/athletics

www.aurorastorage.com

Review daily blog postings, educational webinars, special web promotions, and much more.

BigSigns.com

Sponsor Signage & Stadium Graphics

Web site offers downloadable product installation manuals and sharp images of past projects.

www.bigsigns.com

Borroughs Corporation

Athletic Equipment Storage, Shelves, Racks

Aisle-Saver mobile storage systems increase storage capacity by 50 percent.

www.borroughs.com

ClearSpan Fabric Structures

ClearSpan Hercules Truss Arch Buildings

From customer success stories to financing information, ClearSpan.com has everything you need.

www.clearspan.com/ADAM

Bison

A Goal for Every Game

Find catalogs for team sports and parks and recreation equipment, plus many, many more.

www.bisoninc.com

California University of Pennsylvania 100-Percent Online Undergraduate/Graduate Programs

Find program information for the University’s 100-percent online undergraduate and graduate programs.

www.calu.edu/go

Click Effects

Video & Audio Content Solutions View Flash product presentations and visit the music library.

www.clickeffects.com

2012 SUPPLIER WEBSITE

Concordia University Irvine

Masters of Coaching/Athletic Administration

Site features student testimonials that offer insight into classes and the California Coaches Conference.

www.cui.edu/MCAA

Humphrys-CoverSports

Covers for Indoor/Outdoor Athletic Surfaces

Easy to search by product, sport, and venue, and use to ID the perfect cover for your facility.

www.coversports.com

FieldTurf

Artificial Turf

Read up-to-date news stories and features promoting the FieldTurf brand and clients’ interests.

www.fieldturf.com

Laundry Equipment

The site features customer case studies, video testimonials, and product information.

www.continentalgirbau.com

Daktronics

Scoreboards, Displays, Video, Sound Systems

The photo gallery shows thousands of scoreboard and display designs from around the world.

www.daktronics.com

Future Pro

Sport Equipment Goals & Accessories

Online ordering is available for every product in the Bison catalogs, at competitive prices.

www.futureproinc.com

GymWipes

Gold Medal Products Co.

Anitbacterial Wipes Protect Against Pathogens

One-stop shop for innovative, profitable concession equipment and supplies.

The GymWipes line offers protection and solutions to safely clean and sanitize all fitness equipment surfaces.

Profitable Concession Equipment & Supplies

www.gmpopcorn.com

Humane Manufacturing Co., LLC Rubber Weightroom Flooring

Download installation instructions and use the online form to request a quote or locate a dealer.

www.humanemfg.com

Kay Park Recreation Corp.

Outdoor Furniture & Playground Equipment

Download sale flyers and use the search engine to find exactly what you need.

www.kaypark.com

Continental Girbau, Inc.

www.2xlcorp.com

Infinity Performance, Inc. Rubber Flooring for Weightrooms

View photo galleries of the company’s work, learn about products, and see a list of clients.

www.infinityflooring.com

Linear Rubber Products

Genuine Rubber Flooring & Mats

Find a complete selection of products and features, with the option to secure a quote.

www.rubbermats.com

Cool Draft Scientific Portable Misting Fans

Find comprehensive heat stress details and tactics to keep athletes safe and coaches informed.

www.cooldraft.com

Diamond Pro

Professional Groundskeeping Products

Watch how-to video clips and read detailed instructions for how best to use various products.

www.diamondpro.com

GreensGroomer Worldwide, Inc.

Complete Line of Synthetic & Natural Turf Care Equipment

View the new GreenZapr and miniZapr that uses the power of UVC technology to destroy harmful germs on sport surfaces.

www.GreensGroomer.com

Heery International

Architecture & Sports Design

Read articles, company reports, downloadable brochures, and customer testimonials.

www.heery.com

K&K Insurance

Sports Team & Event Insurance

This site features quick and convenient online quoting and purchasing capability.

www.sportsinsurance-kk.com

Lyon Workspace Products Storage Solution Experts

Lyon’s primary mission is the continued development of innovative high-quality products to serve customers.

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2012 SUPPLIER WEBSITE

Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association Sports Flooring Authority

Find qualified sport floor contractors in your area and search for products used in the installation.

www.maplefloor.org

MilkPEP

Research the Science Behind Lowfat

Chocolate Milk The site features the science, latest news, webinars, and workout/training information from athletes.

M.A.S.A.

Field Maintenance/Sports Training Aids

You can purchase the product you need at the company’s user-friendly e-commerce Web site.

www.sportsadvantage.com

Milnor Laundry Systems

Commercial Laundry Equipment

The Birmingham-Southern College football story illustrates how Milnor is ideal for any program.

www.gotchocolatemilk.com

www.milnor.com

Mueller Sports Medicine, Inc.

Musco Sports Lighting

Sports Medicine Products for All Athletes

Educational videos for taping, bracing, and more help athletic trainers apply Mueller products.

www.muellersportsmed.com

Perform Better

Functional Training & Rehabilitation Equipment

Check out the online interactive catalog with pricing, plus specials and seminar schedule.

www.performbetter.com

Power Systems, Inc.

Fitness & Sports Accessory Equipment

Flip through virtual pages of the catalog online—zoom in, print pages, and order with one click.

www.power-systems.com

Qualite Sports Lighting, LLC Outdoor Sports Lighting Systems

See the online catalog for a comprehensive product listing that offers budgetfriendly and smart lighting choices.

www.qualite.com

78 JUNE/JULY 2012 | AthleticManagement.com

Sports Lighting Systems

The Musco Light-Structure Green page offers information on this innovative money-saving system.

www.musco.com

Porta Phone

Wireless Headset Communication

View the all-new COMSTAR wireless headset system, complete with video tutorial.

www.portaphone.com

ProGrass

Synthetic Turf

No turf lasts longer, performs better, and maintains its appearance like a ProGrass field.

www.prograssturf.com

Rawlings

Equipment & Apparel for the Next Level Athlete

The baseball site features a custom glove builder, while the football site has the new Impulse helmet.

www.rawlings.com • www.rawlingsfootball.com

Matéflex

Original Modular Sports Flooring

Find products for many sports flooring applications, and view product photos and specifications.

www.mateflex.com

Mondo

Tracks, Synthetic Turf & Indoor Flooring

Web site allows you to see project references and to learn about the development of Mondo products.

www.mondoworldwide.com

New York Barbells of Elmira, Inc. Strength Training & Weight Equipment

Read testimonials, see frequently asked questions, and read about the company’s products.

www.newyorkbarbells.com

Power Lift

Heavy-Duty Strength Training Equipment

Find information for the Power Lift Racks, Platforms, Pro Plate Load, and Pro Select lines of equipment.

www.power-lift.com

PROTEAM by Hausmann

Taping Stations, Treatment Tables & Team Logos

Check out the installations tab to see all PROTEAM by Hausmann installs and a photo gallery.

www.proteamtables.com

Registry for Excellence

Custom-Made Pewter Award Plates

Hundreds of awards and specialty items including lamps and blankets can be seen online.

www.reg4ex.com

2012 SUPPLIER WEBSITE

Salsbury Industries – Lockers.com

Samson Weight Training Equipment

Schelde North America

The online catalog offers a complete line of products, including metal lockers and wood lockers.

See the “Samson Difference” and read about the “Built for Strength” warranty.

Schelde North America offers a complete line of top competition athletic equipment.

Lockers & Storage Solutions

www.lockers.com

Sharp Electronic Corporation Touchscreen Interactive LCD Whiteboard Display

Review the complete line of printers, faxes, and the new 80” whiteboard and TV products developed by Sharp.

www.sharpusa.com

Southern Bleacher Co.

Bleachers, Grandstands, Stadiums & Aluminum Seating

Check out the gallery of installations and learn about the company’s experience in the seating industry.

www.southernbleacher.com

Sports Tutor, Inc.

Ball Throwing Machines

See specifications and pricing on ball machines, as well as videos and ordering information.

www.sportsmachines.com

Turface Athletics

Infield Conditioners & Mound Clays

Full library of resources for coaches and field managers to keep their fields playing great.

www.turface.com

Wilson Case, Inc.

Athletic Equipment Cases

The Web site is full of product photos and specs for athletic equipment cases.

www.wilsoncase.com

Heavy-Duty Weight Training Equipment

www.samsonequipment.com

Shaw Sportexe

Engineered Synthetic Turf Systems

Find the latest news on installations, product innovations, celebrity endorsements, and more.

www.shawsportexe.com

Spalding

Basketball, Volleyball & Gymnasium Equipment

The product inquiry tool allows users to add products into a shopping cart and speak to a dealer.

www.spaldingequipment.com

Athletic Equipment

www.scheldesports.com

Shoot-A-Way

Basketball Rebounding & Passing Machines

See free shooting drills with some of the best basketball coaches in the world.

www.shootaway.com

Sports Attack

Professional Sports Training Equipment

Product specifications include tables that compare the company’s products to competitive units.

www.sportsattack.com

Synthetic Surfaces Inc.

Total Strength And Speed

See the “Action Pictures” page for photos of installations in progress using NORDOT.

Custom weight equipment manufacturer and home of the Prowler 2.

Sports & Recreational Turf Adhesives

www.nordot.com

VP Buildings

Steel System Construction & Indoor Design

Check out the Hall of Fame page, customer testimonials, and a list of important links.

www.vp.com

UniversityTickets

High School, College & University Ticketing

Use the online chat feature to get answers to your ticketing questions.

www.universitytickets.com

Equipment for Strength Coaches, Trainers & Enthusiasts.

www.totalstrengthandspeed.com

Wenger Corporation

Athletic Lockers, Storage & Transport

Downloadable literature is available, including a 60-page Planning Guide outlining best practices.

www.wengercorp.com/gearboss/

Yeadon Fabric Domes, Inc. Air-Support Structures, Air Domes

Web site includes product descriptions, case studies, information/service requests, and video/image galleries.

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STAY CURRENT Our redesigned Web site features...

• Headlines of the day • A blog serving high school and college athletic directors • Special digital supplements • A searchable database of articles

VISIT US AT

ATHLETICMANAGEMENT.COM

Big Graphics.

Big Impact.

BigSigns.com If you are looking for big graphics for your stadium or facility that make a big impact, BigSigns.com is the place to go. We are experts at designing, manufacturing and installing creative, impactful, stadium graphics that revitalize even the most tired facilities. We have an array of products to meet almost any need and a creative staff that will make your brand stand out. If you are looking to elevate your athletic program’s profile, improve recruiting success and enhance the fan experience with big, dynamic stadium graphics, BigSigns.com is your only choice. Visit our website to see why.

800 790 7611 Circle No. 152

NACDA Booth No. 403

SWEEP, GROOM, STERILIZE The GreensGroomer line of synthetic turf care products has never been more relevant for today’s infill turf systems.

A regular maintenance routine will improve consistency, playability and safety while helping to extend the life of the surface. With the addition of the GreenZapr®, field sanitation can now be an easy and convenient process with an unbeatable cost per application.

The hallmark of these patented designs is simplicity and durability. Each is loaded with the right features turf professionals require for improved turf performance and labor efficiencies while delivering ease of use and a lower total cost of ownership.

LitterKat® Sweeper with Tow-Behind Magnet Fast, Easy Removal of Surface Debris Magnet Removes Unwanted Ferrous Objects

Synthetic Sports Turf Groomer w/ Spring Tine Rake Stands Turf Fibers Up & Relieves Compaction

GreenZapr® with UVC Eradication Powerful UVC Microbe Eradication Simple, Cost-Effective, No Chemicals

For detailed product information, product inquiries and dealer demos visit us on the web or contact us toll free - 888-298-8852

Circle No. 153

greensgroomer.com

© 2012 GreensGroomer WorldWide, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents Pending

Insures a Level Playing Surface