Athletic Management 25.2

› New Philosophy at Cal

February/March 2013

› Revising a Code of Conduct › Q&A with Joe Castiglione

Vol. XXV, No. 2

It Takes a Team

Rethinking how to protect minors 1988

2013

CELEBRATING

YEARS

A YEAR OF CELEBRATION

› Hosting a Combine

$7.00

2013 NCAA Women’s Final Four Logo

2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four Logo ®

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Usage Guide

Primary Mark

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C0 M100 Y100 K0

C44 M85 Y81 K70

PMS 144

Gradient - 0/16/100/0 - 0/90/86/0

Flat/Embroidery Art C44 M85 Y81 K70

C0 M70 Y100 K0 C0 M100 Y100 K0

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PMS Warm Red C3.5 M92 Y100 K0.5

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PMS 300

PMS 7502

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C59 M55 Y70 K48

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PMS Warm Red Screen Print Application

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WHITE

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PMS 116

0/8/35/10

PMS 144 1072 0 48 100 0 2582 1065 2465

PMS Cool Gray 9

0/16/100/0

PMS 166 1069 0 64 100 02626 1078 2289

0/1/0/51

PMS BLACK

1118

30 30 30 100

2585

1000 2632

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PMS 144

PMS Warm Red

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White

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0/75/90/0

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1077

1006

1001

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1001 2297

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Contents Feb/Mar 2013

1988

Vol. XXV, No. 2

2013

CELEBRATING

YEARS

Join Us

In celebrating our 25th year of publication!

50

43 30

37

COVER STORY

It Takes a Team

In the wake of the Penn State scandal, athletic departments are rethinking how to protect minors—both those in their programs and visitors to their facilities. They are finding it takes a team effort.

LEADERSHIP

A Day to Shine

Searching for a way to help your high school student-athletes be noticed by college coaches? These authors do so by hosting their own football combine.

Look for this special logo throughout the year and a letter from Publisher Mark Goldberg on page 6.

WARMUP

9 Fundraising

New program helps land foreign investors

12 Football

Small school options

12 Facilities

Catching up with John Schael

43

OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE

Challenging Convention

At the University of California, a new philosophy is forcing staff members to communicate and collaborate in ways they have not before.

50

STUDENT-ATHLETE WELFARE

55

64

Safe & Strong

To help reduce substance abuse among student-athletes, this school district revised its athletic code of conduct through a multi-step process. The new focus is on keeping kids both safe and strong.

FACILITIES

Indoor Innovations

What are the top 25 innovations in indoor facilities over the last 25 years? As part of our silver anniversary celebration, we have compiled a special list.

TRACK & FIELD

Targeting Safety

It’s easy to overlook the numerous risks in track and field. Our sports safety expert explains how to increase safety—and reduce lawsuits.

On the cover Drexel University Athletic Director Eric Zillmer (third from right in photo), along with other administrators and experts, discuss new ideas for keeping kids safe in our cover story, beginning on page 30. PHOTO BY BILL STREICHER

14 Leadership

When schools merge

16 Event Management Adding ambassadors

Q&A

19 Joe Castiglione University of Oklahoma GAMEPLANS

25 Boss vs. Friend

By Jim Cox 27 Revisiting Recruiting

By Sister Lynn Winsor

68 Product Section 69 Guide to Indoor Flooring 72 Advertisers Directory

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 1

Editorial Board VOL. XXV, NO. 2

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013

Elizabeth “Betsy” A. Alden, PhD, President, Alden & Associates, Inc. Dan Cardone, Athletic Director, North Hills High School, Pa.

PUBLISHER Mark Goldberg

James Conn, PhD, Professor Emeritus, 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, Former Women’s Athletic Director, University of Tennessee Roger Crosley, Director of Communications, ECAC

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

Bernie DePalma, Assistant Athletic Director/Head Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist, Cornell University Tom Douple, Commissioner, Mid-Continent Conference

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR David Dubin

Jay Gardiner, Commissioner, Southern Athletic Association

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Maria Bise

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

GRAPHIC ARTIST Trish Landsparger PREPRESS MANAGER Neal Betts BUSINESS MANAGER Pennie Small SPECIAL PROJECTS Natalie Couch, Dave Wohlhueter ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Sharon Barbell MARKETING DIRECTOR Sheryl Shaffer

Dick Kemper, CMAA, Executive Director, Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Bob Knickerbocker, Athletic Equipment Coordinator, Michigan State University 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

BUSINESS & EDITORIAL OFFICES 20 Eastlake Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone: (607) 257-6970, Fax: (607) 257-7328 e-mail: info@MomentumMedia.com ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE Diedra Harkenrider, (607) 257-6970, ext. 24 ADVERTISING MATERIALS COORDINATOR/ SALES Mike Townsend, (607) 257-6970, ext. 13

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, Professor, 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 Troy Tucker, Athletic Director, Northampton Community College

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 ©2013 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.

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

Michael Vienna, PhD, Athletic Director, Salisbury University 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 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

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Letter From the Publisher

1988

2013

CELEBRATING

A Year of Celebration

I >

>

YEARS

magine that it’s 25 years ago and you are beginning your current position as an athletic administrator. Picture handling your tasks and responsibilities without a computer, e-mail, the Internet, or a cell phone. Who would have guessed that over the next years you’d be focusing on topics such as:

Concussions: policies on how to recognize them, treat them, and prevent them.

Corporate sponsorships: bringing in supplemental revenue through video and message boards, scoring tables, and floor graphics.

> Stadium

turf options: evaluating the best synthetic turf options vs. state-of-the-art natural grass systems.

> New

fabrics in team uniforms: ordering jerseys that wick away perspiration so athletes stay comfortable and perform better.

> Online

game reporting: setting up live stat access and uploading video highlights for your teams’ games.

Indeed, a lot has changed in the world of high school and college athletics since 1988, and it was 25 years ago when Athletic Management began. Actually, our magazine started as College Athletic Management, serving college athletic administrators, before we expanded in 1991 to serve high school athletic directors and changed our name to Athletic Management.

We’re excited to commemorate our 25th anniversary in a unique way: by ranking the top 25 innovations in a different key category each issue related to athletic department operations. This issue features a look at the greatest innovations in indoor facilities. The focus is on outdoor facilities in our April/May issue, sports medicine and strength and conditioning in June/July, technology as well as fundraising in August/ September, and team equipment in October/November.

In addition, we will be offering shorter articles that relate to our 25th birthday throughout every issue. Some stories will look back, some will look ahead. Some will revisit old friends. Some will mark the changes throughout the years. Please look for the special “Celebrating 25 Years” logo on these articles.

Thank you for being loyal readers (and authors and quoted experts) throughout our existence. We look forward to another 25 years ahead. As things have changed—and as they’ve stayed the same—we’ve tried hard to be your number-one resource at every juncture. From age-old advice on leadership issues to cutting-edge ideas in new areas, we’ll keep working on staying a step ahead, while walking with you through the daily challenges.

Mark Goldberg, Publisher

6 FEB/MAR FEB/MAR 2013 2013 || AthleticManagement.com AthleticManagement.com

While many things in high school and college athletics have changed drastically over the past 25 years, some are not much different at all. When we published our inaugural issue, Notre Dame had just won the national title in football and talk at the NCAA Convention was on academic reform and the Division I men’s basketball tournament.

Our first cover story examined a topic that still has relevance: communicating with coaches.

What was different? Kansas State football could not muster one win, finishing last in the Big Eight, and the bottom half of the Big Ten football standings included Ohio State, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. One of our up-front articles explained a new and exciting addition to a facility at North Carolina State University: an indoor rock climbing wall.

Conference line ups did not change with the wind, and the Lady Vols had won only one national basketball championship. Jeff Martinez, the 2013 incoming NCAA Division III Management Council Chair, was an athletic trainer. We ran a feature story on computerizing your athletic department.

When we added the high school audience in 1991, Brice Durbin was the Executive Director of the NFHS and current head Bob Gardner was an assistant commissioner at the Indiana High School Athletic Association. Only 406 high schools offered boys’ lacrosse, while 2,338 do today. The number of female wrestlers has gone from 132 participants to over 8,000.

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This marks the 5th time that Bucknell University has elected to use Beynon Sports for their athletic surfacing needs over the past 35 years.

Bucknell University first worked with John Beynon, then owner of Martin Surfacing Inc., in 1974 when they built their first indoor track surface in the Gerhard Fieldhouse. Since then the Bison have resurfaced their fieldhouse in 1995 and 2007 and have elected to go with a Beynon surface each time. For their outdoor stadium, in 2002, Bucknell University nominated Beynon Sports to replace their existing Rekortan surface at Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium.

Beynon Sports offers the industry-leading warranty, unmatched How does the BSS 2000 work?

The BSS 2000 track surface is grounded by a bioengineered force reduction layer of butyl rubber and sustainable, high-performance polyurethane that provides the resilient response and maximum energy return needed for athletes to shatter records. Simply put, the BSS 2000 will enable the Bison athletes to train extremely hard and run great middle and long distance times in addition to excelling in explosive events.

Why does a Beynon surface continually outperform competitors?

Beynon never compromises on quality, which is

financial stability providing peace of mind to their clients, sole source installation capability, and the most comprehensive NCAA track and field résumé in the industry, as well as more IAAF certified surfaces than any other manufacturer. During the RFP process, Bucknell University identified why Beynon was selected stating that Beynon provides the longest lasting athletic surfaces on the market today, uses only the highest quality materials with unmatched workmanship and with exceptional customer care.

“Beynon Sports is thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with Bucknell University,” said Beynon Sports President John Beynon. “We are delighted by the confidence this outstanding institution has shown in Beynon Sports, and we are pleased that Bucknell is excited to have our BSS 2000 track surface installed at the renovated Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium.”

The BSS 2000 is a dual-durometer, full-depth color track surface that gives the Bison a competitive advantage in both training and competition.

why the BSS 2000 is not filled with inexpensive and low performance Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) aggregate; in fact, the BSS 2000 contains no SBR filler whatsoever.

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and increased lifecycle costs, meaning more repair and an earlier surface replacement time. That is why two of Beynon’s full pour polyurethane systems, the BSS 2000 and BSS 3000 track surfaces, contain no SBR filler, and the BSS 1000 track surface contains up to 15% more two-component polyurethane than our competitor’s track surfaces. When examining the rationale, it is clear why the most prestigious track and field venues in the world continue to select Beynon Sports.

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WarmUp Fundraising

Overseas adventure With athletic departments struggling to raise money in a tough economy, fundraisers are looking far and wide for sources to fund capital campaigns. For University of California-Riverside Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom, that meant traveling all the way to Shanghai, China.

The challenge before Wickstrom was finding a way to raise $70 to $90 million for a new indoor arena. The facility is needed to make Riverside’s 17 NCAA Division I sports more competitive at the national level, as well as provide a location for campus and community events, but funding

was slow. That’s when Wickstrom learned about the Immigrant Investor Program, which makes it easier to tap into investors in other countries.

Also called EB-5, the program allows foreigners to apply for a green card in exchange for investing in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. that will create jobs. The investments are put into a regional center—an economic entity that essentially functions like an LLC—which then transfers the money to the U.S. group at low interest rates, typically two to three percent a year.

To qualify, the venture seeking funding must project that a

On Oct. 18, the day before she was scheduled to undergo a double mastectomy, Kathy Bluethman, Athletic Director at George Whittell High School in Zephyr Cove, Nev., was taken out for breakfast by her principal. A nice gesture, Bluethman thought. When they returned to the school’s parking lot, she soon realized there was a much bigger gesture waiting for her.

After getting out of the car, Bluethman noticed people were gathering on the football field. Walking

Students at George Whittell High School surprised Athletic Director Kathy Bluethman, who is battling breast cancer, with a human ribbon of support.

Through the Immigrant Investor Program (EB-5), the University of California-Riverside hopes to bring in $30 million as seed money for a new indoor arena. Above, Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom presents his project to potential investors at a conference in Shanghai, China.

over, she saw that the school’s 140 students, along with teachers and administrators, had formed a giant breast cancer awareness ribbon in the middle of the field. Participants in the human ribbon were all dressed in pink T-shirts adorned with Bluethman’s name.

“We love you Ms. B!” the students yelled in unison as she approached.

“I was instantly consumed by emotion, and tears were rolling down my face,” says Bluethman. “I yelled out as loud as I could, ‘I love each and every one of you—you are all my kids!’ Then I ran down the bleachers and started hugging every person on that field.”

Like many athletic directors, Bluethman has worked tirelessly for her student-athletes. Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Since Bluethman’s diagnosis a year ago, a number of teams at Whittell have worn pink jerseys or incorporated the color into their uniforms in

her honor. There have also been multiple fundraisers to assist Bluethman with her treatment costs.

Their Turn

Pink Pick-Me-Up “The support I’ve received has been unbelievable,” says Bluethman. “People tell me, ‘Kathy, you give so much to others, it’s our turn to give back to you.’”

Soon after her surgery, Bluethman’s cancer was diagnosed as having reached Stage IV, and her treatments were ramped up. “I’m constantly talking to my students, letting them know that everything is going to be alright for me,” Bluethman says. “At the same time, I tell them that if they have any friends or relatives dealing with cancer, they just need to be there for that person and act normal with them.

“Being around the kids makes me think about them and not my illness,” she adds. “They give me strength.”

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 9

minimum of 10 full-time, permanent jobs will be created for each investor within two years of inception.

into the project, like construction, or a full-time concession stand worker at the arena. Or it could be indirect job growth,

The program allows foreigners to apply for a green card in exchange for investing in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. that will create jobs. The investments are put into a regional center, which then transfers the money to the U.S. group.

Wickstrom learned of the program through Jeff Hopkins, President of the Hopkins Facility Group, in Irvine, Calif., who explains that campus construction can often be a good fit for EB-5. “With an athletic facility, jobs can be created in numerous ways,” Hopkins says.

“It might be jobs directly tied

such as a sandwich shop opening as a result of increased crowds in the area.”

Hopkins believes the financing structure is a great way for schools to jump-start a capital campaign. “Instead of having to spend a number of years fundraising for a proj-

ect, a school can secure an up front investment that it has time to pay back,” he says.

“This can help encourage other donations because you can show donors you already have money in the bank, so to speak. Additionally, projects attached to colleges and universities are generally considered low-risk investments, which can make it easier to find investors.”

Landing EB-5 funds also reduces the amount of dollars required from traditional sources. “For example, say we get $30 million in EB-5 money,” Wickstrom explains. “Instead of needing to raise the full $90 million for an arena project, we only need $60 million from our typical funding resources to get the arena built.”

After learning more from Hopkins, whose firm is teaming with UC-Riverside on the

project, and getting an okay to proceed from his chancellor, Wickstrom pitched the project to foreign investors at an EB-5 conference in Shanghai in 2011. Aided by an interpreter and using PowerPoint, he outlined how the school planned to use the facility, the estimated cost of construction, and the time frame for completion. One of the key components of the talk centered on the school’s extension program for international students, which allows them to take core classes at the school before formally enrolling.

“Any time you’re discussing a college or university, there’s a level of prestige that is very attractive to foreign investors,” Hopkins says. “If you can tie that into students from their country, their interest grows even more because they may have children interested in attending.”

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WarmUp Despite the language barrier, Wickstrom says the meeting wasn’t much different from those he has with donors in the United States. “The foreign investors have many of the same questions that anyone contributing a large amount of money to a project would have,” he says.

“They want to know the benefits of the project and the amount of revenue the arena will generate.”

The trip was a success, and Wickstrom returned stateside with a surplus of interested investors. From there, the school produced an economic impact study that determined 600 fulltime or full-time equivalent jobs would be created as a result of the arena, which meant it could have up to 60 EB-5 investors. While the general minimum investment required is $1 million, because UC-Riverside is located in a “targeted

employment area”—an area experiencing unemployment of at least 150 percent of the national average rate—that number dropped to $500,000.

With investors lined up, Wickstrom has several additional hurdles to clear. He still needs to get approval for the arena from the school’s board of regents, which means finalizing the funding model and detailing the environmental impact of traffic, light, and sound from the new facility.

He hopes to have those done in 2013.

When the project is finalized by the school, the regional center will be responsible for submitting a proposal to the federal government detailing the finances provided to the project, the jobs that will be created, and how the project will contribute to economic growth in the region. If the project is approved, the investors will put their money into

the regional center, and those funds will be released when construction begins.

The investments are usually paid back within five or six years, although Hopkins adds that the money is considered “at-risk,” and there is no penalty if the funds aren’t ever

While the funding model is unconventional, Wickstrom recommends it to others. “It has enabled us to initiate funding for our project without needing to raise student fees or dip into funds from the academic side of our school,” he says. “I’ve spoken

“It has enabled us to initiate funding for our project without needing to raise student fees ... I’ve spoken to other athletic directors in our conference about it, and they’re looking at using EB-5 as well.” returned. UC-Riverside plans to rely on future philanthropic gifts as well as sponsorships and money generated from the operation of the facility to pay back the investors.

to other athletic directors in our conference about it, and they’re looking at using EB-5 as well. It’s a great way to get a project off the ground.”

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Circle No. 106 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 11

TALK OF THE TEAM An author in the inaugural issue of this publication, John Schael has gone on to celebrate several NCAA Division III titles.

“When it comes to facility planning, patience is essential.” Those

words appeared in the article “Building a Case Statement,” published in our first issue of what was then titled College Athletic Management in 1989. The article was authored by John Schael, Athletic Director at Washington University in

1988

2013

CELEBRATING

YEARS

Facilities

patience is (still) a virtue

In many rural areas, the number of high school students is declining, which is making it tough for some small schools to maintain a strong football program.

That was the case for Phillips (Wis.) High School this past fall, and the situation prompted a rethinking of the football program by Athletic Director Paul Feuerer.

Going into the 2012 season, Feuerer anticipated that the football team might struggle. Participation rates had been steadily declining over the past few years leading to disappointing results on the field. The 2012 season was no different as 23 players came out for the varsity and J.V. squads, leading to the cancellation of the J.V. season just a few weeks into September and many lopsided losses at the varsity level.

Once the J.V. games were called off, Feuerer turned his attention to the big-picture issues that were affect-

Football

ing participation numbers. “We also have boys’ soccer and cross country in the fall,” he says. “Plus, it’s tough when you’re losing games 65-0 and 50-0 as we have. It’s hard to keep football players interested and motivated when they’re losing by those kinds of scores. Our enrollment has declined to about 280 students, and the kids who play sports would rather be associated with a successful program.

“I had been having conversations with the superintendent about the future of football here for a couple of years,” Feuerer continues. “Eventually, we realized that we needed to leave our egos at the door, reevaluate everything, and look at how we could get back to being competitive.”

Feuerer identified four new paths the school could take: field only a varsity squad, field only a J.V. squad, switch to eight-man football, or set up a co-op team with

St. Louis, who at the time was wrapping up the construction of an athletics complex.

A quarter-century later, Schael is renovating that arena, and using the same advice all over again.

“We’re looking for the same outcome with the new facility, and we’re taking our time to make sure we don’t overlook anything,” he says.

While still in the planning stages, the project began 12 years ago with the formation of focus groups. “We listen to everyone, because you never know where great ideas are going to emanate from,” Schael says.

Facility projects are not the only area that Schael exhibits patience—and success. Serving 35 years in the same position, he has built Washington University into a leader in NCAA Division III athletics. He credits his success to support from central administration, a strong fundraising arm, setting high expectations, and a great campus culture.

His advice to younger administrators in Division III? “I think athletic directors sometimes come to a Division III school thinking they’ll work in Division I later, so they try to create that type of atmosphere,” Schael says. “It never works out.

You have to understand the environment you’re working in and realize that each institution has a history that can’t be changed.”

12 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

With enrollment declining, Phillips (Wis.) High School Athletic Director Paul Feuerer presented four options to the community for the football team (shown above): field only a varsity squad, field only a J.V. squad, switch to eight-man football, or set up a co-op team with a nearby school.

WarmUp a nearby school. Wanting to keep parents, students, and fans in the loop and get their input, Feuerer called a community meeting in October, and laid out the pros and cons of each option. “Democracy can be an unwieldy tool, but in this case, I thought it was best because there are so many diverse stakeholders involved,” he says.

Feuerer explained to attendees that fielding only a varsity team would change little from the status quo, and participation opportunities would be limited for younger players. “I was concerned that we would be cutting a lot of underclassmen, and they probably wouldn’t ever play football again,” he says. “This would make it difficult to improve over the long term.”

On the other hand, should the school decide to go with only a junior varsity squad, the games would be held mostly on Mon-

days and Tuesdays, greatly reducing attendance, and seniors could compete only if allowed by opponents. “With this scenario, it was clear that people were concerned about seniors not being able to play,” Feuerer says.

Another option was eightman football, which would allow Phillips to continue fielding two squads while playing against teams with similar roster sizes. Eight-man football is a recent development in Wisconsin, regaining state association approval for the 2012 season after basically going into a dormant period beginning in the 1970’s.

“I don’t think many people knew eight-man football existed in Northern Wisconsin and fewer knew what it really entailed,” Feuerer says.

“So I invited two coaches from a nearby school that had just adopted eight-man football to speak at the meeting and

give people an idea of what it looks like. They said it was a great success at their school.”

The co-op idea garnered little support, partly because it would mean joining forces with a fierce rival. There were concerns over losing community identity, practice locations, and only being able to host half the number of home games. Some also doubted whether the approval process could be completed in time for next season.

“During the meeting and over the following days, we kept a tally of what people’s desires were,” Feuerer says.

“I also talked to a lot of the players about the different options. We then shared all of our conversations with the school board and put it in their hands.”

While there was some support for each of the first three options, the board ultimately

decided to maintain the status quo and try to give the team a boost by installing a new leader. “They chose to retain the varsity and junior varsity 11-man squads, but not renew the contracts of the current coaching staff,” Feuerer says. “I think they put a lot of stock in the idea that if we cut off the existing head, we can grow a better one. And I certainly hope they’re right. The students know we’re making a change, and that should translate into more of them coming out for football.”

Does Feuerer feel his work on the re-examination was for naught? “We won’t know until August if this results in better numbers,” he says. “But I’m glad we were able to lay out all of our options and then come to a decision that reflects the attitude of the community. Now I’m looking forward to working with the new coaches.”

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Circle No. 107 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 13

Leadership

Managing a merge Last year, it was announced that Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University would be consolidating to cut costs, becoming Georgia Regents University.

The transition has had its ups and downs, and Clint Bryant, Athletic Director at Augusta State—who will lead athletics at Georgia Regents—has been charged with making sure the merger goes smoothly for student-athletes.

“Academically, the consolidation is a tremendous opportunity, because Georgia Regents will be considered a tier one research university, the most prestigious level, among the likes of the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University,” Bryant says.

“Athletically, we’ll have the

chance to expand our studentathlete population, fan base, and department.”

Bryant’s first order of business after the merger was announced in early 2012 was to address his staff. He knew the idea of combining the 7,000 mostly undergraduate students from Augusta State with the 3,000 predominantly graduate students at Georgia Health Sciences, which did not have an athletic program, would raise some concerns.

“I explained the situation and promised to keep them informed as things developed,” Bryant says. “Every monthly meeting since then, and our annual two-day summer retreat, has included an update on the consolidation process—from incorporat-

Looking for a way to give one of your teams an early-season boost? At Westborough (Mass.) High

School, the boys’ ice hockey team accomplished this by taking an overnight trip to the University of New Hampshire, where players got an opportunity to interact with members of a college coaching staff, watch the Wildcats take on the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and hold a team scrimmage at UNH’s arena.

The trip to New Hampshire marked the second year in a row the Westborough team visited a nearby college—in 2011, the squad traveled to the University of Massachusetts—and Athletic Director Johanna DiCarlo says the players gain a lot from it. “We really stress the educational component of the trip,” she says. “The players get a chance to speak with college coaches about what it

The Westborough (Mass.) High School boys’ ice hockey team takes time out for a photo during its visit to the University of New Hampshire.

ing the university’s new name to how payroll will change.

I don’t want anyone to feel blindsided by anything that comes down the pike.”

Perhaps the biggest point of contention within the athletics program has been the name change. Many loyal Augusta State staff, fans, and alumni, accustomed to chanting “A-SU! A-S-U!” feel like their traditions are being taken away.

“They’ll just have to chant ‘G-R-U! G-R-U!’—it’s the same beat, just different letters,” says Bryant. “The name has been the most controversial piece, but the most important things are that the university is staying in Augusta, and we’re keeping the Augusta State mascot and nickname. We’re still the jaguars, and Jaguar Nation is just going to get a lot bigger.”

Part of expanding Jaguar Nation is including Georgia Health Sciences students in the athletic culture of the new university. Bryant started this process as soon as consolida-

Following the final official approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents on Jan. 8, 2013, Bryant and his staff organized a “whiteout” for the men’s and women’s basketball games four days later. They created and distributed commemorative white T-shirts and cups so the event could serve to unify the new student body.

“I’ve said from the beginning that athletics can serve as the glue to this consolidation,” Bryant says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a liberal arts undergraduate from Augusta State or a doctoral student from Georgia Health Sciences— we’re all Jaguars now, and

takes to compete at that level, not just in terms of skill development, but also with regard to things like nutrition and off-the-ice conduct. That’s meaningful for our kids.

“Also, many of our athletes have never been to a college campus,” she continues. “So we hope this is something that can spur a desire to attend college, even if it’s not to play hockey.”

DiCarlo also thinks the experience helps the team gel.

“It gets the team out of its normal practice routine,” she says. “The players have a chance to bond, and the trip is something they really enjoy.”

While the overnight trip was paid for mostly by donations and the players’ parents, the district contributed roughly $500—the amount equal to what the team would have spent practicing and scrimmaging locally. “The out-ofpocket cost was around $150 per player,” DiCarlo says.

“We want to make sure this doesn’t become cost-prohibitive for anyone.”

The key to making it work, DiCarlo says, is Head Coach Tom Temple’s personal connections. “He has relationships with a lot of college coaches in the area,” she says. “That can go a long way in making it a great experience, and why we’d like to continue the tradition.”

Teachable Moments 14 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

tion was announced. “I told the Georgia Health Sciences students they could immediately gain admission into any of our athletic contests by showing their school IDs,” he says. “We started reserving seats for them in the student sections, and we’ve seen a lot of them take advantage of this opportunity.”

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WarmUp we’re rooting for a common goal.”

Although the addition of Georgia Health Sciences graduate students will have little effect on the Jaguars’ rosters initially, being part of a larger, more academically prestigious institution could result in major changes for the athletic program down the road. The school is currently a member of NCAA Division II, although its men’s and women’s golf teams compete in Division I (with the men’s team winning national titles in 2010 and 2011). However, most of GRU’s peers are in Division I, and Bryant says the new school could be ready to move there within the decade.

Longtime Augusta State Athletic Director Clint Bryant is helping his school become Georgia Regents University as part of a statewide consolidation plan, a process he says has been “so professionally rewarding for me.”

“We have a strategic plan outlining the next 10 to 20 years,” Bryant says. “The most important factor is funding. If this university grows as expected, we’ll be able to afford it. But if our budget doesn’t increase greatly, there is no need to try to play at the Division I level.”

After 22 years as Augusta State’s athletic director, Bryant has enjoyed the reflection inspired by the project. “The best part about this has been sitting back, taking a good look at our athletic department, and asking, ‘What are we now? What do we want to be? And how do we get there?’” he says. “That might seem daunting, but I tell people all the time: ‘You start a trek of 1,000 miles by taking a single step.’ The process of answering these questions has been so professionally rewarding for me. It puts a pep in my step and has me looking forward to coming into work each day.”

Circle No. 108 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 15

In the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), athletic directors are put on the hot seat when their head football coach struggles.

Fans and boosters demand success, but firings tend to come with a hefty price tag—buying out a coach’s contract can cost millions. Now a recent study may help a bit with the decision to fire a coach or not.

“Pushing ‘Reset’: The Conditional Effects of Coaching Replacements on College Football Performance,” published online in October of 2012 by Social Science Quarterly, looked at all FBS teams from 1997 to 2010 and determined there were 155 performance-related firings of head coaches. The researchers grouped those 155 “team/years” with multiple similar team/years— based on overall and conference winning percentage,

Hiring & Firing

Study sheds light bowl appearances, and coach tenure—where coaches weren’t fired. They then compared the records of the team that fired their coach to those that did not over the next five seasons.

The results? More often than not, firing the coach did not improve a team’s performance in subsequent seasons. Of those squads with an average winning percentage of .590, only 31 percent of those that fired their coach did at least as well the next season. Of those that did not fire their coaches, 50 percent did at North Carolina State University fired Head Coach Tom O’Brien after he posted a 7-5 regular season record in 2012.

least as well the next season. For teams with an average winning percentage of .450, firing coaches led to equal or better records 47 percent of the time, while teams that held on to their coach did at least as well 59 percent of the time. With an average winning percentage of .300, firing the coach led to similar results as not firing the coach.

“Perhaps athletic directors should look at other ways to turn their football programs around,” says Michael Berry, one of the study’s authors, who is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado-Denver.

Professional sports teams typically have a trained staff to escort visiting squads and officials to their locker rooms. Why should high school sporting events be any different? After asking himself this question, Don Heizer, Athletic Director at Payson (Ariz.) High School, created the PHS Ambassadors to fill the role.

Composed of Payson students, the Ambassadors’ main purpose is to serve as hosts to opponents and game officials. “When referees or visiting teams come to our school for an athletic contest, an Ambassador greets them in the parking lot,” says Heizer.

“After welcoming our guests to Payson and introducing themselves, the Ambassador escorts the official or team to their respective locker room.

When they are finished getting ready, the Ambassador leads them to the competition site. They remain on duty during the game in case the visitors have any additional needs or requests.”

To get the program off the ground this past fall, Heizer publicized the group around school when classes began and encouraged juniors and seniors to apply. The only qualification was academic eligibility—students had to be passing all of their classes and be on track to graduate. They had to fill out an application so Heizer could get a sense of why they wanted to be an Ambassador.

“Many of them felt this was a good community service opportunity,” he says. “Some saw it as a way to be involved in athletic activities. Others came right out and said ‘PHS Ambassador’ would look good on their resume or college application. And the former guidance counselor in me replied, ‘Absolutely!’”

After reviewing the applications, Heizer conducted inter-

16 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

views and asked students about the perceived plusses and minuses of being an Ambassador. He also had the students write a statement describing the value of giving back to their community.

Thirty-two individuals were selected for the first group of PHS Ambassadors, and Heizer quickly started training them in customer service basics he gathered from sources including John Maxwell, a local grocery store manager, and leadership videos on YouTube.

“Once a month we get the Ambassadors together for customer service training,” says Heizer. “We’ve split our lessons into three areas. The first covers basic skills like how to make an introduction and what excellent customer service means. Part two deals with handling conflict and working with upset customers. Part three teaches students to be aware of their environment and anticipate a customer’s needs.”

Although there is no formal evaluation system in place, Heizer has received a lot of positive feedback from visiting teams and officials about the program. “After one of our football games, an opposing coach approached me with some girdle pads that he wanted to return,” he says.

“A few of his athletes forgot their pads, so one of our Ambassadors took it upon himself to get the missing gear from our equipment room. The visiting coach was really impressed by that.”

The success of the Ambassadors’ program has led other school groups to get involved.

“Our culinary program app­ roached me and wanted to know how they could help,” says Heizer. “I always felt it would be nice to offer a meal to the officials, so the culinary students started preparing a cooler full of sand-

ethan hyman/ap photo (lEft)

The long-term outcomes were also disappointing. Teams with records around .500 that fired their coaches tended to perform worse over the next three seasons compared to those that didn’t. Even by years four and five, the firing schools were only winning about as much as the non-firing schools.

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“We also have a very active Distributive Education Club of America (DECA) on campus, which prepares students for careers in fields like marketing, finance, and management,” he continues. “They have helped improve our communication with local media about what we are trying to accomplish as an athletic department.”

The Ambassador program was such an instant success that it has quickly grown beyond athletics. In addition to greeting visiting sports teams and game officials, Ambassadors now welcome guest speakers and conference presenters. They are also responsible for escorting students to and from lunch

detentions as well as serving as event security.

While the Ambassadors’ impact is felt in many obvious ways at Payson, Heizer also has noticed their subtle influence on school spirit. “I think the student-

athletes are taking a lot more pride in their performances because they see our Ambassadors at their games,” he says.

“When athletes see other students supporting their activities, it makes a difference.”

At Payson (Ariz.) High School, game officials (and visiting teams) are now welcomed and escorted to their locker rooms by students who serve as PHS Ambassadors (far right and left).

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Q & A

Joe Castiglione UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA 1988

2013

CELEBRATING

YEARS

Back in the late 1980s, sports marketing was just starting to gain traction, so in the first year of what was then titled College Athletic Management, we asked a young associate athletic director at the University of Missouri to write an article about implementing local sponsorships. In the years since, sports marketing has grown to become a keystone of many athletic departments, and that author is now a leader in athletic administration.

Joe Castiglione became Missouri’s athletic director in 1993, a few years after writing the article, and then landed the same position at the University of Oklahoma in 1998. Since his arrival in Norman, the Sooners have enjoyed great success, regularly finishing in the top 20 of the NACDA Directors’ Cup standings.

In addition to its well-known success on the gridiron (OU holds the records for most weeks atop both the Associated Press polls and BCS rankings), Oklahoma has recently fielded top teams in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, and men’s gymnastics.

AM: How has sports marketing evolved since you wrote the article “Good Neighbors” for this publication 25 years ago?

Castiglione: At that point marketing was just beginning to become popular in intercollegiate athletics. We were facing demands to create interest, sell tickets, and develop corporate sponsorships, but people were treading lightly around the idea that college athletics is a “business.” There was a lot of debate on the role of commercialism and what the appropriate boundaries were.

Finally, though, people started understanding that intercollegiate athletics has to be run, in some ways, like a business—albeit a unique one—especially when trying to get people to come to our events. We have to compete against everything else in our market, and that requires a high level of business acumen, including marketing. A lot of the professional leagues were already incorporating sports marketing, so there was a template for us to emulate. However, we had to determine what was acceptable and appropriate on college campuses, because our institutional philosophies are much different than those in professional sports.

Those discussions laid the groundwork for sports marketing and sponsorships that helped generate the revenue needed for intercollegiate athletics to become better. It’s enabled us to expand opportunities for men and women to participate, construct new state-of-the-art facilities for student-athletes to train and compete in, and, most notably, take care of the financial aid component for student-athletes. I certainly don’t claim that sponsorships are solely responsible, but they have contributed to a lot of positive growth.

What was it that attracted you to sports marketing?

A lot of the attraction was the excitement of being on the ground floor of a new area of intercollegiate athletic administration. I had a chance to work in the sports marketing department as a student at the University of Maryland, which was one of only three schools doing it at the time, and I saw the possibility of taking that knowledge to another campus.

What are some of the most important things you’ve done to position yourself as a top NCAA Division I athletic director?

ty russell (bottom)

Along with serving on numerous NCAA committees, Castiglione was NACDA President in 2002-03 and the inaugural winner of the Bobby Dodd Athletics Director of the Year Award in 2004. We recently talked with him about the rise of sports marketing, the keys to OU’s success, and the importance of continuing to learn.

Keilani Ricketts led Oklahoma to the championship finals of the Women’s College World Series last spring.

AthleticManagement.com | Feb/Mar 2013 19

I’ve always pursued gaining more knowledge and more experience so I can create a stronger set of skills to help me make better decisions. Whatever role I was given, I tried to do the very best I could and position myself to take on even more responsibilities. It’s something I’m still doing—I’m always trying to learn. That’s the reason why I teach. For the past five years I’ve taught graduate-level courses, one on marketing and development and the other on leadership issues in athletic administration.

As a teacher, you’re trying to convey knowledge and information, but I get as much out of the experience as the students do.

Trying to find new ways to explain certain concepts to the students makes me look at things from a different angle. And being in the classroom helps me know whether we are really meeting the needs of our student-athletes through our academic support and advising resources.

That leads to another key factor to our success, which is the intentional approach to ensure that our athletic program is an extension of the university’s mission. We may have our own specific vision in athletics, but everything we do is geared towards modeling the institution’s mission and showing that intercollegiate athletics can be a great partner to the academics of this campus.

“We recognize that there needs to be a balance between work and family ... For example, we’ve provided a stipend so coaches can have a family member or nanny travel with them, allowing their children to accompany them on road trips.”

You became an athletic director at a time when most of your peers came up through the coaching ranks. How did you establish credibility with coaches?

As I was gaining experiences outside of marketing, I always tried to focus on the role of the leader. I certainly can’t say that I have perfected it, but through each of my stops along the way I’ve learned a lot about leadership and the way to properly interact and manage people.

I start with a simple notion: The coaches’ problems are my problems. And their opportunities are my opportunity to help them be successful. To this day, I tell every coach who comes to work for this program that I will immediately go to work for them.

What are the keys to the success you’ve had at Oklahoma?

The formula for success is really about identifying the right people at the right time for the job at hand. You have to evaluate their skill sets, personality, philosophy, and in some cases their past experiences, to assess the best fit for the program. Then, everybody has to be able to articulate the vision and the mission of the athletic program and the values by which we operate.

To some people, vision and mission and values are little more than clichés, but they really are the starting points for our success.

Everyone needs to know what we want to achieve as a program. And that’s influenced by our university leadership and the culture of the university. We’re very fortunate to

Circle No. 111

have great leadership from our President, David Boren, and our governing board.

How do you make that happen?

You need to first open the door to academic units on campus and then find ways to work together. For example, we established a $1 million endowment for the university library to use in whatever ways it deems appropriate in order to enhance its role on this campus and bring in more resources for our faculty and students.

Working with our journalism school, we’ve created opportunities for students to work for us on a volunteer or part-time basis.

They help us with our growing video and digital production facility, which handles all of our in-venue video board presentations and weekly sports shows. In partnership with Fox Sports, we’re creating our own network, SoonerSports.com, next fall, and that will open up even more opportunities for students to get production experience.

When it comes to retaining staff, work-life balance is a constant area of discussion.

How do you address that at Oklahoma?

It’s tough because our business is made up of very passionate, motivated people. But as much as we want to pursue success at every level, we want it to occur the right way. We recognize that there needs to be a balance between work and family and encourage it. Our softball coach, Patty Gasso, missed her NFCA Hall of Fame induction ceremony to watch her son play in the state football championship game, and it probably took her all of a nanosecond to make that decision.

Q & A We do a lot of things to make it possible for people to be involved in their own families and still do their job at this level. For example, we’ve provided a stipend so coaches can have a family member or nanny travel with them, allowing their children to accompany them on road trips. And our coaches follow through with their staff. Our football coach Bob Stoops has one family night every week during the season where the coaches’ families all have dinner together after practice.

And he organizes the meeting schedule so the assistant coaches can drop their kids off at school in the morning, as he does. He also makes them go home at a certain hour. But I know we’re just scratching the surface, and we can do even more.

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We’ve been going through it now for well over two years, so you would think I’d have an easy answer for that question, but I don’t.

I can’t begin to describe how challenging it’s been, not just for me, but for a lot of people.

The bottom line is we’ve kept everything together and made a lot of very good decisions. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our conference going forward and it’s been a great example of people working together to deal with all of these changes and make sure that the league remains strong.

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What will be the biggest challenges facing athletic directors over the next 25 years?

I think we’re currently in the middle of determining the answer to that question. The next several years will tell us a great deal about the future of intercollegiate athletics. The financial models have been changing and are still changing a great deal, and that will determine where we go from here.

Another thing we’ll have to address is managing expectations. These days, when people express ideas, they can gain traction very quickly. This can put tremendous pressure on administrators to do things in ways they never thought they would. For example, we’re regularly seeing coaches get only two or three years to try to be successful in a program.

One more issue is fan attendance. While the interest level in college sports is higher than it’s ever been, we’re seeing fewer people come to games, especially in basketball. Televisions are bigger and the picture is better, so people are deciding to watch at home. But television can’t re-create the feeling of what it’s like to actually be there, so we’re going to have to be very creative and innovative in finding ways to build on that in-arena fan experience and keep people coming to our games.

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Circle No. 113 AthleticManagement.com | Feb/Mar 2013 21

germninja W

QUELL THE GERMS

ith the recent prevalence of illnesses like the H1N1 flu and whooping cough, athletic teams have gone to great lengths to quell the spread of germs. Many programs disinfect their playing surfaces, benches, and locker rooms. Some have even banned the pre-game and post-game handshake. Yet it seems they have been forgetting to sanitize a very important piece of equipment: the sports ball.

Any round ball that is five to 10 inches in diameter will fit in the germninja, including volleyballs, basketballs, playground balls that are used at elementary schools. With the footprint of a bulk ball cart, the germninja can sanitize up to one ball every 15 seconds.

Each one is placed on a chute that leads it down into the machine.

Then, the ball is placed on an auger, which rotates it and carries it past four banks of ultra-violet light.

Jaypro Sports has filled this void by creating the world’s first sports ball sanitizer, the germninja. This patented, cutting-edge machine uses ultra-violet light to kill bacteria on the ball without damaging its surface or leaving a residue.

In only five minutes, over 20 sports balls can be sanitized. They come out of the machine germ-free, at room temperature, and ready for play. “Over the course of a volleyball match, teams typically use three different volleyballs,” says Dr. Kreitenberg.

“Between points, the balls can be sterilized. Additionally, although many basketball coaches like to use the same ball the entire game, timeouts, breaks between quarters, and halftime can be utilized to sanitize the ball.”

Inventor Arthur Kreitenberg, (pictured to the right) MD, FACS, a clinical professor and orthopedic surgeon, uses ultra-violet light to sanitize his surgical equipment and saw a way to transfer its use to the athletic arena. “Ultra-violet light is perfect for sterilizing liquids, air, and surfaces, such as a sports ball,” he says. “By utilizing this technology, the germninja delivers 34 times the dosage needed to kill 99.9 percent of germs.”

In addition to the H1N1 flu virus and the bacteria that can lead to whooping cough, the germninja is lethal to staph (including the specific bacteria that causes MRSA), strep, E. coli, salmonella, and the measles virus. It also kills microorganisms and fungi like mold.

The idea for the germninja came to Dr. Kreitenberg after watching his daughter play high school volleyball and basketball. “The players would lick their hands, wipe the bottom of their shoes, and then serve, hit, or spike the ball,” he says. “The ball is a perfect fomite—a contaminated object with germ-spreading potential. And what do coaches do with them after a practice or game? They put the balls in a sack and throw the bag in a cool, damp place where germs can grow, such as a car trunk or storage room.”

The germninja aims to prevent this incubation from occurring. “The whole idea is to get ahead of the problem,” says Rick DeMatto, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing for Jaypro Sports. “If teams would sanitize their sports balls once or twice a day, the germs would never have the opportunity to culture. This machine will decrease the chance that bacteria will manifest into something that could make people sick.”

A lot of products claim to sanitize surfaces with the same effectiveness of the germninja.

So why is the germninja better than the rest? “For one thing, it doesn’t leave a sticky residue like some sprays and wipes,” says DeMatto. “Because the germninja only uses ultra-violet light, it also doesn’t leave any chemicals behind. Unlike some sprays, there is no chance of getting chemicals on a player’s hands or face.”

The germninja will be beneficial to all athletic facilities—from high school gyms to college arenas, YMCAs to day care centers. Even elite teams are interested in the germninja.

In fact, the USA Women’s volleyball team took a germninja with them all the way to London for the Olympic Games. “I went to the USA Volleyball training center in southern California to tell them about the germninja and the coach said, ‘We want it. We want it now,’” says Dr. Kreitenberg. “They got one for their facility in Anaheim, and we also shipped one to London.

The best part, besides their silver medal, was that the team stayed healthy through the entire competition.”

To find more information about this product, including pricing and availability, visit Jaypro Sports at jaypro.com or go to the germninja’s Web site at http://germninja.com.

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US Patent #8193515 Circle No. 114

Circle No. 115

GamePlan Leadership

GARY HOVLAND

relay the stories and results of the games that occurred over the weekend. He would listen intently and ask questions, even though my lengthy regurgitation of the weekend’s events had nothing to do with the work at hand. I appreciated his interest, and it put a smile on my face as I started my week.

Those conversations may have “stolen” time away from our work, but they added a positive element to my work life. It always feels great to share your children’s achievements with someone you like and trust. Being able to do so with my boss led to greater work dedication on my part.

A Little Distance

When it comes to making friends with those you supervise, it’s important to think about what lines should not be crossed.

By Jim Cox If you are in a leadership position for any length of time, sooner or later you may find yourself developing friendships with those you supervise. Especially in an athletic department, where we all tend to share similar interests, it’s natural to become close to the people we work with.

But is it wise to become friends with coaches and staff who call you boss? Can you be a supervisor and a pal at the same time? Just how close should an athletic director get with other members of the department?

In my years of both being a supervisor and being supervised, I have found there are not definitive answers to the above questions. But I have realized that the issue must be thought about seriously

and deeply if one is to be an effective athletic director.

How Much You Care Leadership guru John Maxwell gave us the quote, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” As one employee once told me: If you are friendly to the people you supervise—if we perceive that you really care— we will run through a wall for you, but if you show little concern for us as people, we will not go the extra mile for you.

During my time as an Assistant Athletic Director, my three daughters were involved in youth sports leagues for about a dozen years, and it was a big part of our family life. I would often go into my athletic director’s office on Monday and

Overall, I believe that showing genuine interest and concern about your employees’ personal lives is a positive for the department. The employees gain trust and a connection to their supervisor, which leads to a happier workplace and provides a family environment.

In the particular setting of an athletics department, it can be almost impossible not to share tidbits about our personal lives. Because we are often together during games, practices, road trips, team banquets, and so on, there is a lot of “away from the office” time for talking. We meet each other’s families at sporting events and there are many late nights where we’re tired and want Jim Cox has been working in collegiate athletic administration for 36 years, and served as Sports Information Director, Assistant Athletic Director, and Athletic Director at Miami Dade College. He currently is Facilities and Events Manager at Barry University and an Adjunct Professor of Sports Management at Barry and St. Thomas Universities. He can be reached at: jwcox@mail. barry.edu.

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 25

GamePlan Leadership to share a laugh. Finally, we tend to all share a love of sports, which always forms a bond.

Too Close?

But what about when personal interest leads to friendship? What are the negatives of allowing this situation to develop? The first problem is that it is very difficult to objectively evaluate a good friend. Because you are responsible for completing their annual review—and may also need to deal with promotion considerations, recommendations for a raise, and discipline procedures—their career path is very much in your hands. It is easy

ation that has nothing to do with their job performance, but everything to do with a personal issue they are struggling with. It’s important to listen and have sympathy. Whether or not you provide advice should depend on the topic.

Some feedback on typical problems, such as with a child’s teacher or how to get through a difficult in-law situation, can be greatly appreciated. And sometimes, just showing concern and confidence that they can get through the issue is enough.

But certain topics should be off limits.

Obviously, any stories about drug or

Every employee has some shortcomings, and any way you slice it, it is difficult to criticize someone you call a friend. It’s even more difficult to fire someone you care about. What if you need to terminate a coach the week after you finalize family vacation plans together? for your judgment to be clouded about these issues when they involve someone you are close to.

Every employee has some shortcomings, and any way you slice it, it is difficult to criticize someone you call a friend. It’s even more difficult to fire someone you care about. What if you need to terminate a coach the week after you finalize family vacation plans together?

Another problem is that others in the department may doubt the fairness of your evaluations. You can easily be accused of showing favoritism toward one employee over another because of a known and obvious friendship.

Even if other employees do not accuse you of favoritism, they may simply feel left out if you choose to befriend some staffers and not others. Those not in your inner circle will notice and may take offense.

The Solution I have found the best solution requires balance. There is every reason to go ahead and genuinely care about your employees. But it’s also wise to stop short of socializing outside of work or having conversations that go into very personal spaces.

Circle No. 116 26 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

For example, you may be faced with an employee who wants to discuss a situ-

alcohol abuse must be forwarded to professional counseling, and it’s a must to stay away from providing any serious financial, marital, or romantic relationship advice. However, you can recommend and encourage the employee to get counseling.

When problems are severe, you can also allow the employee to take the necessary time off to get things resolved. A supervisor who is sensitive and understanding about the lives of employees and their families will receive increased loyalty, motivation, and effort from staff.

What about the issue of a coach or staff member inviting you to do something together outside of work? Being asked to join an employee in a social outing is not something to completely avoid, but try to get other co-workers involved in the activity. It is always great to have a foursome of golf with your coaches rather than with one coach.

The responsibilities of an athletic director are to perform the four major management functions: plan, organize, lead, and control. To do this, you also need to motivate your employees, and that takes a caring, concerned, compassionate leader—someone who is an office friend to everyone, but thinks twice about being a closer friend to anyone.

GamePlan Recruiting 1988

2013

CELEBRATING

YEARS

GARY HOVLAND

fall and spring, they are asked to provide names of juniors and seniors who are presently being recruited and communicate any updates to me throughout the year. Our coaches help their athletes by inviting college coaches to our campus to watch contests and making time to talk to these coaches during the visit.

Shining A Light In the first issue of this publication that combined the high school and college audiences, our cover story offered advice on the recruiting process. One of the athletic directors we quoted in that article was Sister Lynn Winsor, and we asked her to revisit the topic for us today.

By Sister Lynn Winsor During my 36-year tenure as a high school athletic administrator, I have seen the quest for collegiate athletic scholarships intensify greatly. This is due to a variety of reasons, starting with the financial situations of families and the rising costs of college. In addition, club and high school coaches often give student-athletes reason to believe an athletic scholarship is likely.

Title IX has resulted in more athletic scholarships for women. And there is much “status” to receiving this type of award.

With so much focus on college athletic scholarships, many athletic directors wonder if they should oversee this area.

Is it our role to help student-athletes through this often confusing and emotional endeavor? For me, the answer has always been yes, and over the years I’ve enjoyed seeing hundreds of our studentathletes at Xavier Prep gain college ath­ letic scholarships.

Teaming Up With a plethora of responsibilities, athletic directors may feel like getting involved with scholarships is just too time-consuming. I have found the process is best tackled if the following school staff work together as a team: Coaches: We ask our coaches to have general knowledge about athletic scholarships and they are encouraged to keep up-to-date on NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA recruiting and scholarship rules. To help in this, they are given copies of the NIAAA’s Guide for College-Bound Student-Athletes and Their Parents. We also stress that integrity and honesty are of utmost importance when they are recommending student-athletes to college coaches. Anything less will tarnish their reputation and the reputation of the school.

At our general all-coaches meetings in the

Guidance Department: There is one guidance counselor at our school specifically designated to help students with athletic scholarships. This person keeps up-todate on all regulations and educates the rest of the guidance staff. He makes sure interested student-athletes’ eligibility information is complete and core courses are being taken (for NCAA requirements).

The registrar also serves a critical function, sending test scores, course grades, and other academic information to a student’s prospective colleges.

Parents/Guardians: I have seen parents and guardians approach this process in a variety of ways. Some employ companies to assist them. Some do all the research themselves without involving their children. Others take a backseat and expect the student to do all the work. Some approach the search as a family. Others expect the coach or athletic director to manage the process.

I encourage each family to use our assistance, educate themselves, and put their child in the driver’s seat. We also talk to parents about being realistic in terms of scholarships available and their child’s goals. Most parents begin the process knowing very little, so it’s critical they understand the facts before they get too far.

Sister Lynn Winsor, BVM, CMAA, is Vice Principal for Activities and Athletic Director at Xavier College Prep, an all-girls Catholic high school of 1,200 students in Phoenix, Ariz. She was named a National Athletic Director of the Year in 1999 and 2001 and received an NIAAA Award of Merit in 2006. She can be reached at: winsor@xcp.org.

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 27

Athletic Director: My role is to oversee the big picture. I make sure student-athletes and their parents are fully aware of the challenges in collegiate recruiting, and if they are interested in the process, I help unlock the door to a scholarship. Being the leader of the process requires com-

I coordinate with our guidance department to plan the yearly meeting. Using a variety of resources, we cover topics such as letters of introduction, preparation of resumes, and producing a recruiting DVD. We also spend a lot of time on NCAA rules, such as eligibility require-

After a student’s official visit to a campus, she is asked to see me with the answers to the 50 questions ... That provides a chance for her to reflect on the visit and articulate what she found out.

how they want to proceed, discussing their financial needs, the child’s academic desires, and college location. They also must take an honest look at the studentathlete’s talent level and what options that can lead to.

Over the years, I have come up with a list of 50 questions for the recruit to take with her on a college visit, which we review upon her return. During the information meeting, I use these questions as a springboard to discuss issues student-athletes and parents should address with the college coach. Some include: n

What is your coaching philosophy?

n

How long are practices?

n

munication, education, and one-on-one interaction with the student-athlete.

Information Meeting What motivates 150 Xavier Prep sophomore and junior student-athletes and their parents to come to school on a fall evening with no games or events? It is our annual Parent/Student Athletic Scholarship Information Meeting!

ments, recruiting trips, and the difference between Division I, II, and III. We talk about options besides NCAA schools, such as NAIA, NJCAA, and NCCAA. Terms related to recruiting are explained, such as full ride, walk on, partials, work study, financial aid, verbal commitment, official visit, and so on.

We encourage each family to then sit down at home and talk realistically about

n n

What is the graduation rate for your team?

Is the campus safe?

Do I have to do any fundraising as a part of the team?

n

How is playing time decided?

n

How is my roommate selected?

All information given at the meeting is presented on PowerPoint slides, put on the school’s Web site, and made avail-

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Circle No. 118

GamePlan Recruiting able as handouts. Participants sign in with their name, e-mail address, sport currently played, and year in school.

This roster information is used to e-mail any updated NCAA information, to announce when college representatives are on campus, and to check on the student-athlete’s progress in their athletic scholarship search.

Help Along the Way As the school year progresses, studentathletes update me on the progress of their scholarship process. Parents also report to me on how things are going.

This communication usually happens at an athletic contest or a school event.

Xavier coaches, counselors, and I are available to review letters of introduction, resumes, and recommendations.

This is done, partly, to ensure that the information sent to the colleges accurately reflects the student’s achievements. We ask that the student list my e-mail address as well as their counselor’s e-mail address on their resume.

When college recruiters come to our campus, those interested in athletic scholar-

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ships at this school are expected to meet with the recruiter. Our internal school e-mail, daily video announcements, and posters are used to let students know of the recruiter’s presence on campus.

When college coaches visit, I make my office and conference room available so the coach can meet with a student. I also allow students to use my office phone to connect with collegiate coaches during the school day.

After a student’s official visit to a campus, she is asked to see me with the answers to the 50 questions given to her before the recruiting trip. That provides a chance for the student-athlete to reflect on the visit and articulate what she found out.

Decision Time Selecting a school tends to be difficult for many recruited student-athletes and their families. I encourage them to review what they learned through visits and communication with the coach and school, and then to think deeply about what is best for them.

Once a choice is made, I require the student-athlete to immediately inform the

other schools by phone or e-mail that she will not be attending. I encourage the student-athlete to do this personally and not have Mom or Dad call for them.

We make the signing of the National Letter of Intent a celebration. The local media, school publications, school board, and school public relations personnel are invited to the event. As each studentathlete signs the Letter with her parents/ guardians at her side, a series of photographs are taken with family, coaches, and friends. In addition, all the signees are gathered for a photo that is sent to media outlets in the Phoenix area. All the photos are put on the school Web site and Facebook page. I congratulate the students, parents, coaches, and teammates at the beginning and closing of the event as well as the student-athlete’s counselor.

This year, seven seniors signed Letters of Intent during the first signing period and several more are expected to do so at the next signing period. With the athletic director, coach, counselor, registrar, parents, and student-athlete working in tandem, the recruiting process can be smooth and successful.

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Circle No. 119 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 29

At Drexel University, Athletic Director Eric Zillmer empowers everyone associated with the athletic department to feel responsible for kids’ safety. Above, Zillmer (third from right) poses with (back row, left to right) lifeguard Lauren Blaser, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bruiser Flint, student-athlete Hollie Mershon, Assistant Director of Facilities Chris Koneski, and fitness trainer Julie Avans. In front are two young teens from the school’s SquashSmarts Community Outreach Program. PHOTO BY BILL STREICHER

COVER STORY

It Takes

a Team

F

In the wake of the Penn State scandal, athletic departments

are rethinking how to protect minors—

both those in their programs and visitors to their facilities.

They are finding it takes a team effort.

or more than a year, the sexual abuse case involving Jerry Sandusky dominated headlines and it continues to affect Penn State University in ways no one would have imagined possible. But, while horrific because of the magnitude of the crimes, at its core, the Penn State situation was not unique. As the media chronicled every detail coming out of State College, countless stories of abuses involving minors in the athletic world occurred across the country.

In Indiana, a high school athletic director faced criminal charges for failing to properly report allegations of a coach having sex with an athlete. A high school basketball coach in Washington was relieved of his duties after players were accused of sexually abusing

teammates during a hazing ritual at an offcampus camp. And numerous coaches were fired, many criminally charged, for having sexual contact with athletes.

“What happened at Penn State really isn’t any worse than something that happens in a small high school, because both affect kids in the same way,” says Mark Fisher, District Athletic Director for the Springfield (Mo.) Public Schools. “But being a national story, the Penn State situation brought the issue to light and reminded us that we have to protect everyone involved in athletics, especially minors.”

In all levels of sports, athletic directors are taking a hard look at their programs and asking if something similar to the Penn State case could happen at their own schools.

They are examining their program’s culture.

They are putting new policies and procedures in place. And they are toughening

By Dennis Read

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 31

rules on supervision and who can use their facilities. They are examining every aspect of operations to ensure they are doing all they can to keep children in the athletic realm safe.

QUESTIONS OF CULTURE

At Penn State and almost every school where sexual abuse has occurred, there were policies in place to prevent it. But policies only go so far. That’s why, when Purdue University Athletic Director Morgan Burke began to revisit how to keep minors safe (in addition to long-standing programs aimed at student-athlete welfare), he thought deeply about the culture of his athletic department. He then went so far as to add a new item to the department’s list of core values.

“Our first core value is integrity, the second is work ethic, and the third is team ethic,” he says. “Now our fourth core value is lifeguard. We’ve recognized that we have a lot of people who enter into our domain— including patrons, alums, student-athletes, and children—and our job is to make sure they leave in as good a shape, if not better, than when they arrived.

“Certainly, you have to take prudent precautions that protect yourself and the insti-

where people care about each other, so I have to be the leader and live by those principles.

But it also comes down to people talking with and supporting each other, the same way coaches build their teams.”

One key part of building from the bottom up, Zillmer says, is to empower everyone to feel responsible for protecting minors. When talking to his staff, he uses this example: “If a child is visiting your house, you want to know where they are, what they are they doing, and that they’re safe,” he says. “As a parent, this is something you do intuitively and automatically. I told everybody we need to do the same thing here and make sure we always know what’s going on when we have minors around. You can’t just assume everything is okay.”

Understanding the power dynamics that exist between athletes and coaches, especially at the high school level, is an important part of establishing a safe culture, according to Kristen Dieffenbach, Assistant Professor in West Virginia University’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, who has studied sexual abuse in sports and teaches in the school’s Athletic Coaching Education program. Because they have the power to decide who plays and who doesn’t, coaches hold a great deal of control over athletes, and even

have to approach it with an open mind. You can’t close your mind and say ‘That can’t happen here.’”

Dieffenbach readily admits that all this is easier said than done. “Negotiating cultural nuances and the evolution of opinion are difficult,” she says. “It calls for critical thinking, effective decision-making, and reflective evaluation. It requires not becoming so enamored in the magic of the culture that you forget to pay attention to the details.

And it also takes a lot of courage, so athletic directors need to make sure they are willing to shoulder that responsibility.”

PREVENTION POLICIES

In 2010, the swimming world was rocked by a report on ABC’s 20/20 that detailed cases of sexual abuse of swimmers by their club coaches. In response, USA Swimming has done a lot of significant work to prevent abusive relationships between coaches and athletes, establishing its “Safe Sport” program (www.USASwimming.org/protect).

Susan Woessner, Director of USA Swimming Safe Sport, explains that along with creating the right culture, well-constructed policies and best-practice guidelines are critical. The ones USA Swimming has implemented put everyone on the same

“Negotiating cultural nuances and the evolution of opinion are difficult. It calls for critical thinking, effective decision-making, and reflective evaluation. It requires not becoming so enamored in the magic of the culture that you forget to pay attention to the details. And it also takes a lot of courage, so athletic directors need to make sure they are willing to shoulder that responsibility.” tution by implementing policies that will help keep anyone who comes into contact with the program safe,” he continues. “But at the end of the day, it’s the quality of the people you have on staff that matters most, and that’s why we introduced this fourth core value.”

Eric Zillmer, Athletic Director at Drexel University, as well as a Professor of Neuropsychology at the school and a clinical psychologist, has also been thinking a lot about how to convey to everyone on his staff the role they play in keeping children safe. “Having been an athletic director for 15 years and also being a behavioral scientist, creating a culture is really what I want to do,” he says. “I believe you do that both from the top-down and bottom-up. I want to build a community Dennis Read is an Associate Editor at Athletic Management. He can be reached at: dr@MomentumMedia.com.

32 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

parents who fear a coach may retaliate against their child should they rock the boat.

“Anytime you have a power dynamic where there is a perception of huge benefit or loss, such as getting a spot on a team, you have a potential for abuse,” she says. “This is especially true if those in power aren’t aware of how to yield that power with responsibility.”

The problem increases when people are willing to look the other way because a team is winning or it’s risky to challenge the status quo. “Keeping kids safe takes creating a culture where anyone can question those with power,” Dieffenbach says. “People need to be able to say, ‘I’m not sure if this is appropriate,’ without being vilified.”

Such a culture can only exist when it’s supported by those in charge. “You can’t turn your back on anything,” says Darwin Rold, District Athletic Director for the Lee’s Summit (Mo.) School District. “If a student or a coach comes to you with a concern, you

page and many can easily be applied to the scholastic setting.

“Abuse is more likely to occur when there is no shared expectation for appropriate behavior and no policies for how adults are expected to behave around children,” Woessner says. “Putting clear policies in place allows everyone to have the same perspective and understand the boundaries when it comes to working with children.”

According to Woessner, the most effective boundaries reduce opportunities for someone to gain three things: access, privacy, and control over an athlete. “Obviously, an offender needs access to a victim in order to offend,” she says. “They also need privacy, since it’s unlikely that abuse will occur in public areas. And then they need control over the victim. They need to be able to groom the victim by conditioning them, and even their family or the entire community, into thinking what a great person they

COVER STORY

are, which makes the victim less likely to report what’s going on.”

Reducing access and privacy occurs by creating as open and observable an environment as possible. Lee Green, Professor of Business and Economics at Baker University who has given numerous presentations about liability and legal issues at

Travel is another crucial aspect to look at when it comes to access and privacy.

USA Swimming recommends that a coach never travel with one athlete alone. Should a squad find itself sending only one athlete to a competition, USA Swimming suggests it travel with another team going to the same event.

from interacting outside the school or sport setting. This should include establishing guidelines regarding the use of electronic communications. “A lot of times we see relationships develop through the use of text messaging or Facebook, in part because these methods allow for privacy, and people may type things they would never say out

“A lot of times we see relationships develop through the use of text messaging or Facebook, in part because these methods allow for privacy, and people may type things they would never say out loud. We recommend that policies include expectations about content, and require coaches to only send messages related to sport or team events or topics.”

NFHS and NIAAA conferences, suggests eliminating interactions between one child and one adult. “Should it be impossible to ban them, policies should require that all activity be both observable and interceptable by other school personnel,” he says. “So if a coach needs to work one on one with an athlete, it should be in an open space, not behind closed doors.”

Lee’s Summitt takes a similar approach.

“If one of our schools has just one or two athletes qualify for a state meet, we’ll have their coach and athlete travel with those from another one of our schools,” Rold says.

“Sometimes you just have to take the extra step when it comes to supervision.”

Limiting control or grooming requires policies that disallow coaches and athletes

loud,” Woessner says. “We recommend that policies include expectations about content, and require coaches to only send messages related to sport or team events or topics.

“Policies should also address time and volume,” she continues. “We’ve had cases where we see an adult and an athlete exchange thousands of text messages a week. This is abnormal and should raise a

Circle No. 120 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 33

red flag. And outside an emergency situation, there’s no need for a coach to be texting an athlete in the middle of the night.”

Woessner points to other USA Swimming policies and guidelines that limit the way coaches can interact with their athletes.

“Conversations about sex or conversations that are sexual in nature are prohibited,” she says. “By not having a boundary there, you allow the opportunity for that conversation to occur, which can then develop into something more explicit and escalate into abuse.”

While coaches may consider some of these restrictions too harsh, Woessner says they should know that strong rules protect coaches as much as they do athletes. “Following these policies reduces the opportunity for a coach to even be in the position where abuse could happen,” she says. “At the same time, these policies reduce the opportunity for someone to make a false allegation against a coach. If you have been transparent and observable in your interactions with athletes, you avoid putting yourself in a position where someone could accuse you of doing something you didn’t do.”

Policies like these can also help coaches maintain healthy relationships with team members without making any athlete feel slighted. “These expectations really help the coaches not look like the bad guy to the

athletes,” Woessner says. “If a coach rejects an athlete as a friend on Facebook or refuses to reply to a text, the coach can point to the team policy and the athlete won’t feel like the coach is ignoring them.”

REPORTING ABUSE

If there’s one thing every athletic director took away from the Penn State scandal, it was the duty to report any and all sexual abuse to the proper authorities. Green says athletic directors should become familiar with the laws in their state regarding what must be reported, who must report it, and to whom, and then work with others in their school to make any applicable laws part of a reporting policy.

“Schools need to impose an affirmative duty on their employees to report any indication of abuse,” he says. “This should include volunteers and even outsourced personnel such as athletic trainers. The reporting procedures need to set forth, in detail, all the requirements of the particular state child abuse reporting law. The best way to do that is to make the law itself a part of the school’s policy.”

Burke says the need to report any signs of abuse is easier to get across to his staff members after what happened at Penn State.

“There’s a heightened understanding that if you see something that doesn’t look right,

Doug Galloway was the school’s Head Boys’ Basketball Coach when he took the team to a camp at Western Washington University last June. During the camp there was “forced sexual contact” during hazing, which occurred while Galloway and other coaches were at a camp social event, reported The Olympian. Galloway notified authorities the next day when he learned of the incident. Campus police found that sexual contact had occurred but the county prosecutor’s office declined to press charges, in part

34 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

because the parents of the main victim did not want them to.

In August, the school announced it was not retaining Galloway as boys’ basketball coach, although his teaching position was unaffected.

The Olympian reported that Galloway had failed to file the proper paperwork needed for such a trip, and that the paperwork would have included a supervision plan, providing details about who would be supervising the students. School officials declined our offer to comment on the case.

After the decision was made public, parents and students rallied behind the coach and asked the district to reconsider, but the board stuck to its original decision. “The head coach didn’t provide adequate supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of the students at the camp,” school spokesman Ryan Betz told The Olympian.

BY THE BOOK

It can sometimes be difficult for coaches to see the importance of following policies and procedures.

They may view them as needless paperwork or mere formalities. At Capital High School in Olympia, Wash., a coach learned the hard way how important they can be.

you have to report it, particularly when it involves young people,” he says. “You can’t just say to yourself, ‘I didn’t see anything’ or ‘It really wasn’t a big deal.’ You have to let the professionals do that assessment. As uncomfortable as it may be to make that kind of report, it can become a lot more uncomfortable if you don’t.”

If state laws don’t already mandate that reports of suspected abuse be made to a specific agency, it’s important for schools to develop a policy on this detail. Green suggests the athletic director not be the person who reviews these reports.

“There’s too much potential for a conflict of interest,” he says. “The athletic director knows the coaches and may even be friends with them. Every school district is required by federal law to have a Title IX reporting officer, and that’s where all reports of any type of discrimination are supposed to take place. For most school districts that is the person to whom reports of sexual abuse should also be made. Normally that would be somebody in the human resources department or maybe the school district counsel.”

“One thing I’ve learned is that athletic directors can’t be the detectives who figure this out,” Zillmer says. “They’re trained to run the athletic department, not to decipher what happened behaviorally or psychologi-

COVER STORY

cally. There are other people who have those skills—let them handle the situation.”

Having one person receive reports can also help reveal a bigger picture. “Sometimes we’ll find that a parent is concerned about an athlete, a friend of the athlete notices a lot of texting with the coach, and an assistant coach sees the other assistant coach taking the same kid out to dinner,” Woessner explains. “So everybody has a little piece of information that in and of itself may not be actionable, but when you put all those pieces together, it starts to tell a different story.”

When making a report, athletic directors or coaches should be explicit about the

made athletic directors think about the protection of minors who are not their own student-athletes. These individuals typically are part of one of three groups: rentals to outside parties, recruits, and participants in college-sponsored programs.

After realizing the number of minors involved in athletic department activities, Zillmer took several steps to make sure they would stay safe. “First, we had all our employees, including student employees, undergo training about child abuse and the need to report any sign of abuse,” he says. “Second, we trained our student-athletes who serve as hosts to recruits. We have done this before

are responsible for making sure the checks are completed, but the athletic department has offered to run the checks for them, just as they do for department employees.

“We haven’t had any problems in the past, but you’d hate to find out that there was some obvious information you didn’t pursue,” Burke says. “Even though these camps are operated by limited liability corporations, most people would say they’re going to the Matt Painter camp or the Sharon Versyp camp and associate it with Purdue.”

High school athletic directors often find themselves on the opposite side of the camp equation, such as when their sports teams

Drexel now requires any groups it rents to or partners with to “endorse and embrace” the school’s policies regarding minors. “[Some] groups have been resistant to these changes, and, unfortunately, we’ll no longer be able to accommodate them. That means some children will lose the opportunity to come to our campus and participate in these events, but it is something we have to do.” information they have without overstating it.

“If something was told to us secondhand, we would report that information, but we would also explain that it is secondhand information from another source,” Fisher says. “If someone witnessed something themselves, then they would need to report all the facts.”

Green adds that an athletic director’s responsibilities don’t end when the report is made. “They should follow up if they don’t hear anything back within a week or two,” he says. “I think if Joe Paterno had followed up a couple of times on his initial report, the perception regarding his lack of action would have been totally different. And all the correspondence, from the initial report to any follow-up, should be made in writing so there’s a record. Don’t just leave a voice mail or report it orally.”

Even in cases that don’t rise to the level of being reported, it can still be important for an administrator to do something. “If a coach comes close to crossing a boundary, you would want to increase monitoring and remind them of the policies they must follow,” Woessner says. “Sometimes people see something that concerns them but is not necessarily a policy violation or criminal behavior, so they don’t do anything about it. That’s where you need to be clear about your expectations and make sure it doesn’t escalate.”

THIRD PARTY

In addition to raising awareness of sexual abuse in athletics, the Sandusky case has

in terms of alcohol use and parties, and we added a component on sexual abuse to ensure that everybody is on the same page.

We’re also increasing foot patrol in our buildings when minors are present. We are trying to not allow situations where there is a potential for an unsafe environment. For example, if a minor needs to go to the bathroom, we make sure more than one person escorts him or her.”

Drexel also decided to require any groups it rents to or partners with to “endorse and embrace” the school’s policies regarding minors. “Many of the groups we work with have already implemented the things we’ve asked them to do, such as conducting background checks on the people they bring in and having additional insurance coverage,” Zillmer says. “Other groups have been resistant to these changes. Many of them are nonprofits run by volunteers with limited means, and it’s very difficult for them to add any more infrastructure. Unfortunately, we’ll no longer be able to accommodate those groups. That means some children will lose the opportunity to come to our campus and participate in these events, but it is something we have to do.”

Purdue came to a similar conclusion after reviewing its policies. The school now requires background checks on anyone working on the campus, including clinicians and counselors at sports camps. The limited liability corporations that operate the camps on behalf of the school’s coaches

go to camps as a group. Such trips bring an increased risk for sexual abuse through hazing or inappropriate coach-athlete interactions. At Springfield, Fisher makes it clear that coaches and athletes on these trips are held to the same standards as when they are on school grounds.

“These may not be school-sponsored events, but if they involve our staff members and our student-athletes, we insist that there’s appropriate supervision,” he says. “They may be at a college where there are camp counselors present, but our coaches are still the ones responsible for their players.”

At the end of the day, keeping children safe is about asking everyone in the athletic department to do their part. “I’m sure some athletic directors are saying to themselves, ‘This is not what I signed up for,’” Zillmer says. “But that’s no different than coaches who tell me they just want to coach. Well, they have to fundraise. They have to take care of their kids and make sure they go to class. The world is getting more complicated, and we’re all being asked to do more. Simply put, these are part of our responsibilities as athletic directors.” n

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Circle No. 121

LEADERSHIP

Like many athletic administrators, we are always looking to do more for our student-athletes. While the day-to-day issues of running an athletic department can feel overwhelming, implementing a program that goes beyond our daily duties is always rewarding—especially when it has the potential to make a lifelong impact on student-athletes.

Here in the South Bend Schools, one such idea we have put into action is to host a football combine. For some students in our four high schools, the only way to attend college is by receiving some sort of financial aid. Knowing there is scholarship money for athletes at small colleges, but that coaches at these schools don’t have big recruiting budgets, we felt a combine could

be a great way to publicize local athletes.

While many private groups already host successful combines, they can be expensive for the student-athlete. The difference with ours is that it is free for everyone—players, college coaches, and the public.

We have hosted two football combines so far and hope to host a third this May. When we started, we had no idea it would be so

A Day to Shine

Searching for a way to help your student-athletes be noticed by college coaches?

These authors do so by hosting their own football combine.

By Kirby Whitacre & Ellen Taylor

At last year’s United States Army/South Bend Community Schools Football Combine, players warm up together before proceeding to eight testing stations, including a medicine ball throw and height and weight check.

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 37

LEADERSHIP

wildly successful and bring such accolades from parents and coaches. We also didn’t realize how much fun we were going to have with it.

RALLYING THE TROOPS

As we began exploring the idea of holding a combine in late 2010, we happened to be approached by Capt. Wesley Lewis, the Chicago Battalion District Commander for the United States Army Recruiting Company, who was also thinking about how to put on this type of event. We were intrigued by the Army’s interest but perplexed as to how it would benefit from such an endeavor. Wes told us the Army was under a directive to foster solid public relations in local communities, and he felt a football combine could do just that while also giving back to the South Bend area.

Kirby Whitacre is Director of Athletics for the South Bend (Ind.) Community School Corporation, which includes four public high schools and 10 intermediate centers, and can be reached at: kwhitacre@ sbcsc.k12.in.us. Ellen Taylor is an Administrative Assistant in the district’s Athletic Office and can be reached at: etaylor@sbcsc.k12.in.us.

For us, the Army’s sponsorship and support were critical for going ahead with the project. It would fund almost all aspects of the event, from equipment purchase to awards, and supply us with manpower and publicity.

We decided to hold our first combine on May 21, Armed Forces Day, and call it the United States Army/South Bend Community Schools Football Combine. It would feature eight testing stations in the morning, with players performing position drills in the

For the position stations, the high school coaches came up with drills, which were similar to those done at larger, national combines. In the firstATHLETIC year, we did MA not have place kicking and punting but added itSalsbu the second year after college coaches expressed interest.

Wes also provided something we didn’t at first understand the full value of—himself.

We quickly learned that Wes is a “can-do” expert logistician who is extremely intelligent, hardworking, and stubborn in a good way. He is also one of the nicest people we have ever met. He is a true leader and engages people in a way that leads to great outcomes.

afternoon. Spectators and college recruiters could see the athletes in action all day. At the end of the combine, each participant would receive a print-out of their test scores, allowing them to compare their results to others listed on national combine Web sites.

While the date was a great tie-in for the Army, it was now January, which meant we

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had only four months to plan. Wes convinced us we could pull it off, so we quickly assembled our schools’ high school football coaches for a meeting.

Although the combine would require little work for our coaches—we were only asking them to man the testing stations and encourage their players to participate—they

middle school, which also allowed a much better traffic flow.

LOTS OF LOGISTICS

Hosting a combine requires a great deal of manpower, from organizers to event-day workers. On the organizing end, we felt early on that we needed one more person on our

To offset costs and meet some additional needs, we lined up sponsors for the combine. This included an area restaurant, which provided us with a hospitality room and benefitted by selling concessions to the public. were skeptical that it was possible to get all the details in place by the middle of May. However, Wes was completely confident we could make the event happen and gave our coaches a pep talk. After a second meeting, the coaches agreed to help us host a combine, albeit with some doubt we had enough planning time.

We took the coaches’ concerns into account and decided to keep the combine small, so we could execute it well. Players from the 77 high schools that fell under Wes’s Company Command in northwestern Indiana were invited, as well as college coaches in a four-state area. We expanded the invite for our second combine to college coaches from a 10-state area.

Holding our combine in mid-May, we knew NCAA Division I coaches couldn’t attend since that is a dead period for recruiting. But the date still worked well for us because we were really gearing our combine toward NAIA and NJCAA schools, which is where most of our kids will go on to play. We also had NCAA Division III coaches in attendance, and although they cannot offer scholarships, these schools are often a good match for many of our student-athletes.

It was important to get other area high school coaches on board, which was done primarily by the Army recruiters. These coaches were critical in convincing their athletes to attend, and some of them manned the position drills.

Finally, we chose a venue. We used our historic football stadium downtown, the adjacent soccer field, and the nearby middle school our first year. Needing more space the second year, we used a different field, a more spacious complex with an adjacent

40 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

planning team (of Wes and the two of us), especially since none of us had ever been directly involved in football. We reached out to our school district’s Director of Employee Relations, John Roggeman for help. An attorney, former Indiana University running back, and current Big Ten football official, John is a walking encyclopedia of football facts and one of the game’s great ambassadors in northern Indiana.

Not only did we use John to help plan the combine, we also gave him the task of playing host to the college coaches. He got them registered and acclimated to the facilities, and he then hosted them in the hospitality room, adding a personal touch to their visit.

One of the biggest aspects of planning was organizing the testing and skill events.

This was delegated to the Army’s staff of recruiters in our area. The South Bend Recruiting Station covers 77 high schools in northern Indiana, and its employees liked the idea of helping out. We split this region into East and West for planning purposes.

East was in charge of the testing stations and West took control of the position drills.

Wes then planned the “extras” that would make the event memorable. This included activities for families, a motivational speaker, and a gift bag for participants.

Along with staffers, we needed equipment for some of our eight testing stations, which were bench press, height, weight, vertical jump, standing long jump, short shuttle, 40-yard dash, and medicine ball toss. We considered borrowing this equipment, but because it needed to be of high quality to ensure the integrity of the results, the Army decided to purchase much of it.

For the position stations, the high school coaches came up with drills, which were

similar to those done at larger, national combines. In the first year, we did not have place kicking and punting as part of the position drills, but added it the second year after college coaches expressed interest in the area.

To publicize our combine, we used the Army recruiters in our region to spread the word during their visits to the high schools in our area. We also had an article in the South Bend Tribune, got it mentioned on the radio, and used word of mouth from the coaches to their players. The second year, we also set up a Web site, and we entered players’ information into a database for a nominal charge.

To offset costs and meet some additional needs, we lined up sponsors for the combine. This included an area restaurant, which provided us with a hospitality room and benefitted by selling concessions to the public. Other sponsors gave us monetary donations, and we publicized them by hanging their banners at the event, placing ad material in the gift bags, and having public announcements throughout the events acknowledging their sponsorship.

Our school athletic trainers and medical staff provided on-the-spot care, and we promoted their clinic.

THE BIG DAY

When participants arrived at the combine, they entered an intake area where they were provided their gift bag, an Army cinch sack loaded with free stuff from sponsors and a shirt to be worn during the combine.

They were also given information about the day’s events, an official number, and a testing card, which listed their basic information, the eight testing stations with spaces for scores, and the player’s assigned group for the drill portion of the day.

Our goal for registration in the first year was 300, and we were thrilled when we had 298 sign-ups. Participants were required to pre-register online, and we had to turn 15 people away at the door who hadn’t begun the registration process. We were beginning to pack up the paperwork and join the others in the gymnasium when we saw 50 students and a coaching staff walking towards our door from the parking lot. They had not pre-registered. But they had traveled 90 miles, and we could not say no.

As anyone in education knows, you plan for the unexpected, and we had extra packets and bags available. We were able to quickly make numbers to accommodate the players for the position drills. We created another section to accommodate our newbies and got them through the intake

LEADERSHIP

process and into the gym in time to join the others for the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony consisted of a local school choir singing the national anthem, presentation of arms by a high school ROTC unit, and introductions by Army Captains.

We also had a former Notre Dame football coach turned college recruiter talk to participants about what is needed to be recruited and how to handle the process.

After the opening ceremony, parents were encouraged to remain in the gym where they could listen to additional talks about the recruiting process. One of our sponsors, NCSA Athletic Recruiting, supplied two speakers for parents.

Players left the gym in their assigned groups and were placed in formation to enter the stadium. It was a spectacular site to see 348 athletes, Army personnel, and coaches enter the stadium to partake in a field-wide calisthenics warmup that was led by one of our sponsors, who owns a gym.

After this 15-minute warmup, athletes were taken to their assigned testing stations for the start of the combine.

Army recruits who had not yet left for basic training accompanied the groups of 25 to each of the testing rotations. These young men and women followed the players from station to station, recorded data, and brought it to the combine’s central computer lab. Having these escorts worked out well because it allowed the athletes to focus on the task ahead.

Rotations from station to station happened every 30 minutes. If participants finished a station early, they could progress to the next one to get started or watch the other participants, allowing them to get a feel for what was happening. Water and fruit snacks were available at every testing station.

Once all the testing was completed, athletes participated in position drills, while college coaches watched from the stands.

During this time, a certificate was generated for each participant with their final test results.

At the end of the day, we had a motivational speaker. The first year, the Army was able to get Daniel Ruettiger, whose story about his improbable time as a member of the Notre Dame football team was told in the movie Rudy. Because we live in South Bend, home of the University of Notre Dame, Rudy’s presence at the combine proved a huge public relations coup, and we really enjoyed our time with him.

The Army brought in Coach Jack Lengyel as keynote speaker the second year. His story was chronicled in the movie, We Are

Marshall. He took over Marshall’s football program after the tragic plane crash that killed most of the coaches and players, and he later served as Athletic Director at Fresno State, Missouri, and Navy. Jack is a gracious gentleman and was an outstanding choice.

After the speaker, the Army publicized those local high school students who

had an Army-sponsored drag racer with his car, other exhibits of interest from sponsors, and a concessions booth. We ended our day a half-hour behind schedule, which wasn’t bad, considering it was the first time any of us ever hosted a combine!

Overall, the event was a great experience for everyone involved. Student-athletes got

Army recruits who had not yet left for basic training accompanied the groups of 25 to each of the testing rotations. These young men and women followed the players from station to station, recorded data, and brought it to the combine’s central computer lab. received scholarships to college from the military. Oversized checks were presented and the recruits talked about what they are studying, why, and their goals after college.

Finally, to make sure families were entertained, the Army brought in a rock climbing wall and a virtual games semi-truck. We also

their fitness and skills assessed with college recruiters looking on and benefitted from the guest speakers. For us, it was fantastic to partner with the Army and Wes. We were proud to pull off something that the Army had never done before, but has become a model for other schools around the country. n

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OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE

Challenging Convention

ROD SEARCEY

Cal Athletic Director Sandy Barbour talks to Head Athletic Trainer Ryan Cobb (far left) and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Blasquez, while High Performance Director Keith Power looks on.

At the University of California, a new philosophy is forcing staff members to communicate and collaborate in ways they have not before.

By Keith Power

S

ometimes, small observations evolve into really big ideas. During her career as an athletic administrator, Sandy Barbour had always been bemused by how little strength and conditioning coaches and athletic trainers communicated and collaborated with each other. Since becoming Athletic Director at the University of California in 2004, that observation has evolved into a unique philosophy on how to achieve top performance using a model of practice quite unlike other collegiate athletic departments.

Called Cal High Performance, this philosophy challenges conventional ways of thinking about and delivering services to student-athletes. It demands collaboration among all staff, strives to maximize efficiency, and challenges everyone to be innovative. It is an initiative Cal has invested in AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 43

to build a competitive advantage and ensure a world class student-athlete experience.

The Cal High Performance philosophy has been seven years in the making and almost all of the pieces are now in place with the opening of the Simpson Center for Student-Athlete High Performance in 2011. At the same time, it is a dynamic process that we continue to improve on every day.

A DIFFERENT MINDSET

Cal has had its share of athletic success and academic achievement. It has produced professional athletes like Jason Kidd, Kevin Johnson, Aaron Rodgers, and Marshawn

practices in sport worldwide and thought about what would fit the culture at Cal. Cal High Performance is the philosophy that now guides our athletic department. At its core, it is about aiming to be world class in all that we do at every level of support. Along with having high expectations for our athletes, we have high expectations for our leadership team, marketing department, business and finance office, custodians, and interns— everyone in athletics has to be invested.

Just as important, it’s about all staff members communicating and collaborating. We strive to share information at every turn so our student-athletes receive the exact support they need at the time they need it.

Our academic counselors pass on observations to strength coaches, who collaborate with athletic trainers, who talk to coaches, and so on.

Everyone works hard to be on the same page.

In 2009, I was asked to direct this new initiative, which was a huge honor and privilege. The position is actually fairly commonplace in Olympic sports across the globe and many professional sports outside of the U.S., although I believe I am the only High Performance Director (HPD) in collegiate sport in the U.S. My job as HPD requires expertise in three key areas. The first is organizational development—the ability to help the department be excellent in planning, organization, and leadership/management, as well as develop a high performance culture. To this end I also serve as one of seven people on Cal’s Leadership Team. The second is expertise in coaching, including coach education and coaching science. Third, I oversee strength and conditioning, sports science, and sports medicine.

Day to day, I serve and integrate 29 sports, 850 student-athletes, 80 coaches, and 40 support staff members (strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and sports science) in the pursuit of providing a world class experience for our student-athletes.

I’d say that my role is akin to that of the conductor of an orchestra. All parts of the orchestra sound good on their own, but having the conductor bring them together produces music that sounds truly great.

Similarly, coaches, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports scientists can all perform well independently,

We strive to share information at every turn so our student-athletes receive the exact support they need at the time they need it. Our academic counselors pass on observations to strength coaches, who collaborate with athletic trainers, who talk to coaches, and so on.

Lynch and standout Olympians like Natalie Coughlin, Nathan Adrian, and Alex Morgan.

In its ranks are a dozen coaches who have been chosen to work with Olympic and national teams of elite athletes. Cal is also ranked as one of the top 20 academic universities in the world.

Upon arriving at Cal, Barbour wanted to take the athletic program to an even higher level. She asked fundamental questions about how strength and conditioning coaches and athletic trainers could better work together.

This evolved into discussions about sports performance, and then how all support services and coaches could collaborate more effectively.

Without the deep pockets that some NCAA Division I athletic programs have, Barbour needed to be creative in implementing a new philosophy. She looked to best Keith Power is the High Performance Director of the Intercollegiate Athletics Department at the University of California, coordinating the areas of sports medi­ cine, strength and conditioning, sports science, and coaching development. A former international track and field athlete and bobsledder, he has coached Olympians, consulted for globally renowned business organizations such as EDS, Hewlett Packard, Motor­ ola, and Toshiba, and published articles in academic journals and presented at conferences in the area of performance psychology. He can be reached at: keithpower@berkeley.edu.

44 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

but getting them to perform together like an orchestra can produce enhanced performance.

PIES & PLANS

Before I describe how we’ve implemented Cal High Performance, let’s go back a step. To get everyone on the same page, it was important to develop a model of what high performance entails. We developed the Cal High Performance Pie to use as a communication tool when talking to our staff members about our new philosophy. The pie consists of five key performance factors that most directly impact student-athlete performance: Skills: sport specific skills and academic skills Fitness: sport or position specific fitness requirements and wellness Mental toughness: resilience, coachability, focus, and confidence Lifestyle management: organizational skills, study habits, and developing life skills Culture: the student-athlete, team, and departmental environment.

There are several things to note about these performance factors. First, each area impacts the others. For example, mental toughness has a huge impact on the ability of the student-athlete to maximize skill development and fitness, and to study effectively.

Second, all five factors are important.

Teams that have great physical talent but a rotten culture often underachieve. No amount of time dedicated to skill development and fitness will ever make up for not fixing the culture.

Third, the level of importance studentathletes place on each factor may vary. For example, in a sport like golf the time allotted to mental toughness training will likely be greater than the time allotted to strength and conditioning. Likewise, a freshman entering the tough academic atmosphere at Cal may need to focus on lifestyle management while the senior with professional aspirations is focusing on sports skills and mental toughness.

Each student-athlete’s Performance Pie is unique, and we strive to develop performance plans for that individual accordingly.

That’s something I’ve really emphasized to our coaching and support staff. How can we maximally individualize the performance plans of our student-athletes using the resources of their sport?

Consequently, a central goal of Cal High Performance is to work with coaches to implement and support customized performance plans for each sport as well as each individual student-athlete on their team.

OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE

Head coaches direct their teams based not only on their coaching philosophies, but also through a customized plan developed through very specific, evidence-based information.

DELIVERING HIGH PERFORMANCE

So how do we implement our High Performance philosophy on a daily basis? The delivery mechanism is based upon being excellent in four key areas throughout the entire department: communication, information, collaboration, and innovation. The expectation is that each department has specific goals and strategies for how it will excel in each area.

Communication: In an intercollegiate athletics environment, over 90 percent of every individual’s time is dedicated to some form of communication. It comes as no surprise then that poor communication can easily obstruct performance, whereas great communication creates and sustains high performance. It never ceases to amaze me how important communication is in any organization and yet how little emphasis is put on doing it well!

Two ways that we are striving to be world class at communication are through High Performance Team Meetings (HPTMs) and annual High Performance Plans for each sport. The HPTMs involve a weekly or twice monthly meeting of all staff on a particular team who directly impact student-athlete performance. The goal is to keep the yearlong plan on track and maximize communication with all of those who are part of the program, including the coaching staff, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, sports scientists, nutritionist, operations staff, and academic advisors.

Our Head Men’s Water Polo Coach, Kirk Everist, likes to assemble his group at least every two weeks. “We manage a lot of kids and some of them might communicate more openly with different staff members,” he says.

“Being able to get together and talk is import-

ant because I might hear something from an academic advisor at the meeting that relates to performance in the pool, such as an athlete’s workflow or stress level.

“Maybe the athlete is in the middle of doing applications for graduate school and

Another critical part of the process is for everyone to continually ask, “What’s the evidence and what’s the best practice?”

I didn’t know,” he continues. “Or maybe I knew it but wasn’t really paying attention.”

The annual High Performance Plan dictates that we vigorously review each sport team and its coaching staff. Performance reviews aren’t always popular with coaches.

They want to coach and recruit, which is only natural, and sometimes taking the time to build in better efficiencies can appear a chore rather than a benefit.

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Circle No. 128 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 45

1988

2013

CELEBRATING

A look at another performance initiative, which we covered in the inaugural issue of (College) Athletic Management and is still going strong.

YEARS

Back in 1987, University of Texas Assistant Women’s Swim Coach Randa Ryan thought health issues in women’s athletics weren’t getting the attention they deserved. More questions than answers surrounded topics like eating disorders and nutritional supplements. Her solution was to create the Performance Team for University of Texas women athletes. In 1989, we detailed the unique program in the pages of our first issue, explaining it this way: “Based on the idea that the needs of elite women athletes are different from those of men, the Performance Team considers health problems that occur more frequently with females and concerns that have been previously studied from only the male viewpoint … [The Team] utilizes university and community resources as well as private industry sponsors to thoroughly research questions in the following areas: health and nutrition, how to improve athletic performance, and how to reduce health risks and athletic injuries.”

To get answers to such questions, the Team tapped into University resources. “UT is a tremendous research university with an expert exercise physiology department, and we took advantage of that,” Ryan explains. “Our sports medicine experts would begin by researching a women’s health issue. They’d then formulate their findings into a recommendation and we would communicate with every facet of the athletic department to implement their suggestion.”

In 25 years, a lot can change and a lot can stay the same. The Performance Team still exists, but its role has expanded to cover both female and male athletes, and it has greatly increased its scope.

“It’s no longer practical to get the entire team together to synthesize everything,” Ryan says. “Instead, we’ve developed pods to tackle specific issues like post-concussion syndrome or safety in the sporting environment. We’ve also expanded to include areas outside of sports medicine. For example, we now we have a pod solely dedicated to UT’s APR.” At the same time, the Team has stayed true to its original purpose of utilizing university research. “One thing I hope we will continue to improve on is actually something we’ve been working on since the beginning of the Performance Team,” says Ryan. “We want to shorten the time between when research and technology is developed and when it can be made applicable. Past studies conducted at UT’s campus haven’t trickled down to the athletic departments until 18 months after they were completed. The quicker we get the research, the quicker we can make it applicable to our athletes.”

— Mary Kate Murphy

46 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

still going strong

Comprised of coaches, sports medicine professionals, and athletic support staff, the Team delved into previously unexamined areas. “Women’s sports really picked up in the late 1980s,” says Ryan, who became Performance Team Director in 1988 and now also serves as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services. “But it wasn’t to the point where we could call someone and ask, ‘What are you doing with supplementation in regards to female athletes?’”

But having each sport program go through a review process to understand where strengths lie and improvements are needed is critical to high performance. In the reviews, head coaches sit down with me, Barbour, and their sport supervisor at the end of each season for an analysis of the program, their own performance, and the performance of their assistants. Very importantly it is a 360-degree process, which allows head coaches to give feedback about how the department can better support them.

From the review, we develop an annual High Performance Plan. This involves me working with the coach to understand the performance needs of the program, including recruitment periods, fitness testing, sports science needs, periodization, and more, and building a blueprint accordingly.

“I think all of us tend to plan for the year, but sometimes you get caught up putting out fires,” says Everist. “Keith gives us the framework for an overall season plan that, as a coach, you are going to make work for you specifically. I think the overall structure of it is really good. It was something I hadn’t seen.”

Information: Another critical part of the process is for everyone to continually ask, “What’s the evidence and what’s the best practice?” When analyzing and diagnosing performance challenges, we do not base our solutions on gut feeling and experience alone, but rather on evidence. The more data driven we become, the better the quality of the decision. Why guess when you can know?

To these ends, we are committed to Evidence Based, Best Practice (EBBP). EBBP is in direct contrast to using information based upon rules of thumb or tradition. By using the best and most reliable information possible to inform our decisions, we will ultimately arrive at better outcomes.

When I first arrived here at Cal, I challenged my staff to look at ways we could get better by using data. “Keith sat us down and said, ‘Let’s create structure and integration,’” says Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Blasquez. “Part of this was to implement a much more sport specific and scientific approach to how we are measuring and monitoring fitness. We have also developed a great tracking system that allows us to run reports and continually direct progress for coaches on a day-to-day basis.”

Here are some of the specific technologies and data we have implemented: > Medical screening to assess potential muscular-skeletal weaknesses > Best practice fitness testing and monitoring protocols specific to each sport

OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE

> “Cloud based” performance logs where student-athletes can report sleep, academic load, stress, and perceived training loads > Heart rate recovery tests (HRRT) and IGA (Immoglobuin) “real time” collection to monitor training responses and adjust training loads > Game film and video analysis > EEG (electroencephalogram)-based biofeedback to establish and develop areas of mental skills development > Staff and coach education support based around the latest sports performance research > Kiosks in weightrooms, which electronically track and monitor every lift made by every student-athlete > Nutritional data to enhance student-athlete performance

With our women’s soccer team, we identified three critical areas— performance monitoring, performance analysis, and sports psychology.

These areas were developed in an integrated, collaborative manner, and not in isolation of each other, to produce enhanced outcomes. > The development of a sports IT platform for every program in which there is a one-stop shop for data analysis and monitoring of all aspects of student-athlete performance.

Our sports medicine team also took a hard look at how it ran itself, recognizing that it needed to implement EBBP in every area of its work. This meant continually asking itself the question, What works and what doesn’t? It also meant delving into the basics of the profession. How do we cover sports? Do we need to have experienced athletic trainers on the road all the time, or are their services better used on campus?

“Where Keith really started to fill in the blanks was not only with evidenced-based practice, but best practices from around the world,” says Head Athletic Trainer Ryan Cobb. “College athletics tends to look inward. Keith brings to the table a very broad perspective of what works around the world.”

Collaboration: Prior to coming to Cal, I spent a fair share of time involved in collegiate programs, where I found support staff often worked in silos and felt disenfranchised from their coaches.

There has always been a huge emphasis on team in U.S. sports when it comes to the performers, but somehow being a team with your support staff isn’t often a priority. I cannot emphasize enough the power of collaboration and integration in athletics.

The five key factors of student-athlete performance—skills, fitness, mental toughness, lifestyle management, and culture—do not exist in a vacuum. My job is to ensure we integrate these factors for each team and individual. The aim is for coaches and support staff to continually assess and monitor student-athletes’ performance needs, then work jointly to improve strengths and address areas needing improvement. How well we work together can make the difference between a good and great performance and a good and great student-athlete experience.

Circle No. 129 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 47

One example of the collaboration process is with our women’s soccer team. Working with Head Coach Neil McGuire, we identified three critical areas—performance monitoring, performance analysis, and sports psychology—as being good investments for helping his program perform more consistently on a national level. These areas were developed in an integrated, collaborative manner, and not in isolation of each other, to produce enhanced outcomes.

“Performance monitoring allowed us to have a better sense of how our athletes were recovering from their training and games,” says McGuire. “We used an Interdisciplinary Performance Log, which provided information on training loads and lifestyle factors, including academic stressors, to assist in monitoring the health and performance of each player. We also used the HRRT and IGA saliva testing to understand each athlete’s fatigue level and then determine the intensity of their training for the week to make sure they would have fresh legs for games.”

The logs, HRRT, and IGA salivary monitoring are collected by a sports science intern and monitored and analyzed by our sports

physiology expert Joe Dunbar. Dunbar then communicates the information to the soccer coaching staff, strength coach, athletic trainer, nutritionist, and me. Individual and team training adjustments are made as a result.

In addition, to improve analysis of team performance, McGuire has worked with Professor Mike Hughes, an advisor to Cal and one of the world’s top experts in the area. “Performance analysis through video has became more specific with a deeper understanding of the layers you can explore,” says McGuire. “We also used video to educate the players, which allowed for significant improvement in team cohesion, ultimately leading to a better understanding of individual and collective roles by position.”

The women’s soccer team has enhanced its mental game in several ways. As well as being the HPD, I am also an AASPaccredited Sport Psychologist and work with several of our programs, including women’s soccer. “Our use of sports psy-

chology has very simply created a more mentally strong and mature team,” says McGuire. “Teaching our players how to manage stress, create positive self-talk, and use imagery as a means to better prepare for games gave us an edge. It also showed up in our training—players took a much more

It is challenging because in many respects we are putting a man on the moon. No one has done what Cal is doing in college sport ... It is exciting because we are seeing results. disciplined approach to their development.”

Innovation: Cal is known globally for its research innovations and producing thoughtful leaders, and we strive for this in our athletic department, too. Innovation can happen in two different ways. One is a novel idea or approach. The second is being creative with the resources you have.

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OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE

The key has been to not force change on anyone, but rather to collaborate and discuss ideas. Cal High Performance is not a topdown philosophy. That never works if you want to achieve sustained high performance.

Working with our 24 head coaches and 70 assistant coaches is a huge part of what I do on a daily basis and is both an exciting and very challenging part of the job. It is challenging because in many respects we are putting a man on the moon. No one has done what Cal is doing in college sport.

It is exciting because we are seeing results.

Over the past five years we have been in or around the top 10 of NACDA Directors Cup standings, placing third two years ago, and have won over 20 NCAA individual or team titles. It would be erroneous to attribute this to Cal High Performance alone, as many of our programs have been successful for years.

However, every day, we see how improving communication, collaboration, information, and innovation pushes our student-athletes forward. As in business, a world class system and process combined with world class people will produce world class results. n

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One coach who exemplifies the first approach is Teri McKeever, our Head Women’s Swim Coach, who served as the Team USA Women’s Coach at last year’s London Olympics. She is recognized as an influential innovator in the sport because of her unique training methods and for turning unnoticed or burned-out swimmers into champions. In the early 2000s she questioned the conventional wisdom of high yardage and almost exclusive pool work in collegiate swimming.

She cut yardage, built in significant rest during the week, and put a big emphasis on other training modes like Pilates, circuit training, dry land drills, and weight training—with great success.

“As the head coach of the program,” says McKeever, “I am constantly managing my athletes by asking myself questions. ‘What do they really need in this workout? What do they have on their plates with school? Are they rested enough to be engaged mentally but at the same time being challenged constantly?’

For me, the answer to each of those questions results in daily progress and a high performance culture.”

In the area of student-athlete welfare, this year we have launched an innovative High Performance Lifestyle Support Program in collaboration with our Department of Education. In balancing their athletic, academic, and personal lives, student-athletes face a daunting challenge in self-management. Revolutions in Internet and mobile technology have produced a world of unprecedented distraction that is literally reshaping their brains. Our support program offers a re-assessment of how our student-athletes can get the most out of their day—to cut through the clutter and focus in on what really matters.

On the sports medicine front, Cal is one of the first athletic departments in the country to make diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound available to student-athletes in the athletic training room, and even on the sidelines. Musculoskeletal ultrasound makes use of sound waves to image muscles, tendons, and ligaments without radiation and with greater resolution than MRI. In addition to immediate diagnoses, ultrasound allows our sports medicine providers to make safer return to play decisions and offer cutting edge treatment options.

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THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE

There has been an enormous amount of change in Cal athletics over the past seven years, and it has not always been smooth sailing. Changing the behavior of stakeholders has been challenging. It would be disingenuous of me to claim otherwise.

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Safe & Strong

By Kari Drogosh

To help reduce substance abuse among student-athletes, this school district revised its athletic code of conduct through a multi-step process. The new focus is on keeping kids both safe and strong.

It all started with a guest speaker.

In 2010, the Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families invited John Underwood, President and Founder of the American Athletic Institute, to speak to our student-athletes in grades 7-12 about healthy choices.

The creator of the Life of an Athlete program, John has spent years developing and sharing his ideas on how to keep athletes away from drugs and alcohol. He told our student-athletes that nutrition, sleep, and avoiding harmful substances were the key aspects to optimum performance. He provided convincing facts and statistics—for example, just one night of drinking alcohol could erase 14 days of training!

John also took the time to speak to coaches, administrators, and community members. He educated us on how we could reduce substance abuse among young people and challenged us to raise the bar for our student-athletes.

By the time his visit ended, many of us were convinced that we could and should do more to keep student-athletes away from drugs and alcohol. Along with using education, we wanted to update our rules to make student-athletes more accountable. We then started a year-long process to toughen our athletics code of conduct.

LEARNING MORE

Our first step was to learn more about the Life of an Athlete program. That summer, thanks to funding from the Coalition, I attended a three-day training session with seven other representatives from our school district. We heard about all aspects of the program and thought about how the 50 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

STUDENT-ATHLETE WELFARE

A member of Chippewa Valley’s girls’ basketball team makes a strong move to the basket.

components could work in our district.

One part we liked a lot is its focus on reaching student-athletes by talking about athletic performance. As adults, we know the many negative consequences of drug and alcohol abuse, but it is hard to convince young people of the risks. The Life of an Athlete program connects with athletes by clearly explaining how substance abuse can hinder athletic performance and cancel out all the hard work they’ve put in during practice and the off-season.

We also learned more about how the program holds student-athletes accountable for drug or alcohol use by enforcing tough penalties. Young people face a lot of peer pressure. If student-athletes know their participation in sport may be taken away if they use alcohol or drugs, there is a greater incentive to resist it. The Life of an Athlete program requires every studentathlete to make a commitment to a healthy lifestyle as part of a team.

A third aspect we knew we wanted to implement was helping those who do become involved in drugs or alcohol. The program gave us ideas on how punishments can be combined with educational components to help the student-athlete stay away from illegal substances in the future.

Finally, we liked how the above policies could affect our entire community.

Because student-athletes are often leaders in a school, if we could alter their behavior, we might create a culture change that could reach all students.

COMMITTEE WORK

Before developing any specific ideas for revising our code of conduct, we wanted to

get the input of our student-athletes. So we asked John to present to our district again and lead us in discussion where studentathletes could talk frankly and voice their concerns.

In this second visit, John spoke to 100 of our high school student-athlete leaders and 100 of our middle school leaders, with each session moderated by adults in our community. We needed the adults to understand what the student-athletes felt were the real issues when it came to substance abuse. This was important for getting everyone on the same page.

Our students brought up some great talking points: > Certain substances, like marijuana, are not seen as harmful in professional sports—athletes caught with them seemed to perform just fine. > Current punishments were not harsh enough to sway an athlete’s decision about substance abuse. > Some adults in the community did not help our young people adhere to the current code of conduct. > Athletes felt they would not get caught, or they would not be punished if they were caught.

Armed with our summer training and the information the students provided, we invited key coaches from each of our schools to be part of a committee to discuss how to change the code. The committee was comprised of eight coaches, each school’s athletic director, and the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education.

The committee structure worked well for gathering perspectives about the current code and what would be necessary to make an impact. Many of the coaches on the committee had been members of our athletic staff for several years and had seen changes taking place with the students and

Armed with our summer training and the information our students provided, we invited key coaches from each of our schools to be part of a committee to discuss how to change the code. in the community. Others on the committee had coached elsewhere and brought an outside perspective to the table. We had frank discussions on how best to help our student-athletes make good choices.

The committee also took the time to involve key stakeholders from every facet of the school district. We met with our four middle school athletic coordinators to get their perspective on the needs of the younger student-athletes. We also reached out to parents through a presentation, focus group, and survey. This inclusion proved vital. People knew their opinions were heard and that they were a valued part of the process of change.

Along with making sure stakeholders were included, we needed to keep our Board of Education in the loop. This group would AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 51

eventually be asked to approve any changes to the athletic code of conduct. Therefore, on John’s second visit, he also presented to the board. He outlined his philosophy, and then spoke specifically on how to achieve change—such as involving parents through mandatory preseason meetings and when punishments are doled out. The board was very receptive and gave us the green light to move forward.

While the committee continued its discussions on the new athletic code of conduct, we wanted to make sure our student-athletes did not forget what John had taught them. We hung visual reminders in each of our six secondary buildings regarding the danger of substance abuse, the importance of sleep, and the perception of athletes in the community. We also sent mailers home to parents of our student-athletes, outlining the topics discussed. Lastly, we dedicated a

Web site to the Life of an Athlete program, which included many resources.

FINAL CHANGES

We had a lot to consider when it came to actually rewriting our code. We reviewed all we had learned and also took a look at other schools’ athletic codes from around the state. We thought about our particular community and its needs and what our student-athlete leaders had told us. After more than a year of committee work, we came up with a new plan for addressing issues of substance use: First offense involving substance abuse results in a suspension from 25 percent of competitions, and the student-athlete is required to take the online Life of an Athlete course. This replaced a 10-percent suspension from competition, which we had in our prior code.

The following are some of the questions we answered about our new code of conduct before putting it into place. >

What if a student cannot get a parent or guardian to attend the mandatory parent meeting?

The student-athlete is not allowed to compete until he or she has a representative come in to view a DVD of the presentation. We do not want to punish student-athletes for the faults of their parents or guardians, but we have to hold adults accountable as well. We handle outof-the-ordinary situations on a case-by-case basis. >

How will the district know if a student-athlete who moves to Chippewa Valley from another school or from a school of choice as a freshman has any strikes against him or her?

We decided the slate was clean between the student’s eighth and ninth grade years. Though we had reciprocation in our 36-school conference, we were finding it increasingly difficult to track all infractions and discipline that might not be noted in attendance records. >

Is the district discouraging potential student-athletes from attending our schools because our athletic code is stricter than most in our county and conference?

>

Are students involved in other extracurricular activities such as marching band or student government required to adhere to the code?

We decided against this since it would be very difficult to monitor these students. The athletic department has its own administrator in place, but there is not a separate administrator to oversee other extracurricular activities.

FA Q S

We believe that our athletic programs will be stronger and more successful overall if we hold our student-athletes to higher standards and impress upon them the importance of keeping illegal substances out of their bodies.

Second offense calls for a suspension from 50 percent of the student-athlete’s competitions, plus a consultation with a substance-abuse counselor paid for by the athlete. This replaced a 20-percent suspension in the past code of conduct.

Third offense results in removal of that student from athletics for the remainder of his or her middle school or high school career. This is a “three strikes and you’re out” philosophy John speaks about frequently in his presentations. Previously, we did not have any type of permanent removal from an athletic team unless the coach chose to do so, which rarely occurred.

An athlete is “caught” when someone tells us about it, a staff member witnesses it, or if we have electronic proof. If we hear rumors or receive anonymous e-mails, we will call the student-athlete down to the office. When that happens, most students will admit their infraction.

We also added these details: > The use of all illegal substances receive the same type of punishment. Before, we had different punishments for tobacco versus alcohol versus other illegal substances. > We removed a self-referral piece since it was not being used as it was initially intended. It was originally put into place to encourage a student to admit to unhealthy behavior and by doing so, he or she could reduce their punishment. It turned into students confessing to infractions prior to the school finding out through a community agency. > We made our preseason parents’ meetings mandatory and included specific information on the code of conduct.

Our final step was to present the new code to the school board. Before we did, we asked all our coaches for their support. We reviewed the changes with them, and their reaction was very positive. They were eager to help improve the health and welfare of our student-athletes. The coaches from each high school then signed a document endorsing the changes.

Our ideas on revising the code were presented to the Chippewa Valley school board last May by myself and the other high school athletic directors, to take effect in 2012-13.

We backed up our ideas with the information we had garnered, reiterated what John had suggested earlier in the school year, and showed them the supporting document signed by coaches. We were thrilled when the board agreed with all our revisions.

Kari Drogosh is Athletic Director at Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Township, Mich., and an alumna of the school. She can be reached at: kdrogosh@cvs.k12.mi.us.

52 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

STUDENT-ATHLETE WELFARE

IMPLEMENTATION

Parents and athletes were introduced to the new athletic code of conduct at the mandatory parents meetings that took place in our district. We handed out hard copies to all student-athletes and their parents/guardians, who were required to sign the document and return it to their athletic department, where it would be kept on file. The code was also placed on the district Web site.

In presenting the code, we worked hard to relay to student-athletes the reason behind the changes—that we want what is best for them. The student-athletes needed to know they are being looked after, they have someone to talk and share concerns with, and their health and safety are our first priorities.

We had a few violations this fall, and we impressed on those student-athletes that our goal was to help them change their behavior.

While serving their suspension, they had an opportunity to learn from their mistake.

We also established that our coaches are here to guide our student-athletes. I talked to parents about how much time our coaches spend with their children, and how fortunate we are to have such great people modeling healthy behavior and taking these young men and women under their wing.

Thus far, the changes have been working well. At our school, we had a few violations this fall and those athletes, with their parents, met with me and their sport coach. We impressed on the student-athletes that our goal was to help them change their behavior.

While serving their suspension, they had an opportunity to learn from their mistake.

We also wanted our young people to understand that they were letting their teammates down, those who chose to make healthy choices each day. Therefore, at our school, we also started having the violator admit their infraction to their teammates.

After their punishment, they had to ask if they could still be a member of the team. We have yet to see athletes deny the request of their peer to remain a team member. By taking responsibility in front of their teammates and coach(es), it showed maturity and the willingness to admit to their mistake.

others are not. We impress upon every student-athlete the need to make smart decisions regardless of grade or sport.

No offense will be overlooked because of athletic talent. Athletes are understanding that the decisions they make can influence others.

This was an amazing process to take part in. By encouraging student-athletes to make healthy choices with the support of their parents and community, our athletic programs will only become stronger. n

Along with implementing the revised code, we continue efforts to promote Life of an Athlete in our district. The Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families has been instrumental in this, through mailers and posters hung in our school buildings. In addition, at a football game with our in-district rival this fall, we showed public service announcements on the scoreboard to the crowd of more than 5,000 fans.

We will constantly battle the issue of certain student-athletes being caught while

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Circle No. 133 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 53

Circle No. 134

FACILITIES

1988

2013

CELEBRATING

YEARS

Indoor Innovations

What are the top 25 innovations in indoor facilities over the last 25 years?

As part of our silver anniversary celebration, we compiled this list.

By Dennis Read

CAL SPORT MEDIA /AP PHOTO (RIGHT)

When sitting in today’s indoor athletic arenas, it’s hard to not be dazzled by all the features they offer. It’s also easy to forget that we were equally wowed by the state-of-the-art facilities of 1989. Little did we realize then all that was in store. Over the last 25 years, new features have improved the quality of indoor facilities, from actionpacked video scoreboards to wireless sound.

To help celebrate our 25th year, Athletic Management consulted with veteran athletic directors at the high school and college levels to determine the top 25 advancements in indoor facilities since our debut in 1989.

They helped us with both identifying the biggest trends and ranking which were the most significant. Whether you agree or disagree with our choices, we hope you enjoy our look back at the changes that have occurred in the last quarter-century.

Unbreakable basketball goals ranked as the second most important product innovation, while video in scoreboards (top left) is first and bleacher seating (bottom left) is third.

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 55

in Scoreboards 1 Video Few changes have impacted the in-game experience for fans more than video scoreboards. Spectators in the arena can see the same camera angles and replays as people watching on television while still soaking up the arena experience. They can also enjoy a myriad of video-based entertainment displays and promotions during breaks in the action. In addition, video scoreboards have opened new revenue streams for schools by allowing sponsors an avenue for compelling and effective messages. Even high schools have been able to reap the benefits using smaller-scale systems.

Basketball 2 Unbreakable Goals Although the breakaway rim was invented in the 1970s, broken backboards plagued basketball through the 1980s, highlighted by Jerome Lane’s famous backboard-shattering dunk at the University of Pitts­burgh in 1988.

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

As the technology improved and more schools started using the new dunk-proof rims, shattered backboards became much more rare—sparing players from flying glass and ensuring games would not be delayed while backboards were replaced. Attention shifted to the next victims of players’ strength, the goal support systems themselves. These, too, were eventually strengthened, leaving modern goal systems all but impervious to the ever-increasing forces created by today’s dunk masters.

hung from the ceiling or bolted to a wall.

Neither method offered users much flexibility in location. But the introduction of quality portable goal systems has allowed schools to get the most of their limited gym space. This has been especially important during practice and summer camp sessions when it’s vital to be able to quickly set up numerous half-courts. Many of the portable systems also allow users to set rims at variable heights, making them useful for players of all ages.

Seats 3 Bleacher Fans sitting in bleachers enjoy far bet-

Lockers 5 Wood Originally a country club luxury, wood

ter accommodations than those of 25 years ago. Today’s bleacher seating options include individual seats with full backs, comfortable cushions, arm rests, and cup holders. Then at the end of the night, these seats fold up as part of the bleachers, freeing up floor space for other activities, and letting facility managers leave as relaxed as their customers.

lockers have become a featured item in college and high school locker rooms. The stately appearance of wood lockers helps to enhance team spirit and serves as a recruiting tool at the college level where the locker room often becomes a home away from home for athletes. Today’s wood lockers also provide administrators additional equipment storage options without compromising the aesthetics of this important part of their facilities. Best of all, wood lockers are no longer a luxury item reserved for promi-

Basketball Goals 4 Portable For many years, basketball goals were installed in one of two ways: they were

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FACILITIES

nent teams as costs are within reach for most schools.

Gym Floors 6 Synthetic For decades, only one material was considered appropriate for a gymnasium surface: wood. Other choices were viewed as inferior by athletic directors and coaches because athletes, especially basketball players, did not like the way the floors felt under their feet. Those days are long gone. New advances in synthetic surfaces have greatly improved not just the look, but the feel of these floors as well. Now, it can be hard to tell a wood gym surface from a synthetic one.

Floor Finishes 7 Green Twenty-five years ago, who would have thought that concerns about the environment and air pollution would change gymnasium floors? Spurred by a combination of environmental awareness and regulations, the floor coatings used in today’s facilities are far greener than those of the past. Since they dry faster and don’t give off toxic gases, water-based finishes have gained in popularity. And traditional oil-based finishes have been reformulated to reduce the release of volatile organic compounds while still retaining the ease-of-application and performance users are looking for.

Sound Systems 8 Enhanced As anyone who has strained to understand garbled or muted announcements can attest, clear sound systems are a key part of enjoyable indoor contests.

Today’s speaker technology allows athletic directors to easily project sound directly to spectators spread throughout a building rather than relying on reflected sound to deliver the message. Plus, new units are smaller than those of the past, making

them less obtrusive and easier to install.

At the same time, wireless technology has eliminated the need to have wires snaking throughout the building and freed those speaking from the tethers of microphone cords.

Posts 9 Volleyball Today’s multipurpose facilities require the flexibility to be converted quickly from one use to another. No one wants to wait while the basketball court is converted to a volleyball court or vice versa. For years, the poles that held up volleyball nets were heavy steel columns.

They were durable and very effective at holding nets up through heavy use, but time-consuming and cumbersome to install and remove. Now, many net systems feature lightweight carbon fiber poles that can be easily carried by one person, allowing athletic directors increased playing time in their facilities without sacrificing athlete safety. And modern retractable systems can be easily lifted from above or collapsed into the floor when not in use.

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Game Clocks They say every second counts in sports, but in basketball 10ths of seconds took over in the 1990s as more and more scoreboards tracked time in the closing minute to the 10th of a second.

While the technology had been used in the NBA in the 1980s, its use didn’t gain traction in colleges for several years and were not required by NCAA rules until 2001. Timing controversies have also been reduced by new products that allow game clocks to start and stop on the referee’s whistle. In addition, placing shot clocks atop the backboard has let players, officials, and fans know exactly how much time is left.

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A quick look at the top 10 innovations in indoor facilities over the past 25 years.

1.

2.

3.

4.

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Video in Scoreboards Unbreakable Basketball Goals Bleacher Seats Portable Basketball Goals Wood Lockers

6. Synthetic Gym Floors 7. Green Floor Finishes 8. Enhanced Sound Systems 9. Volleyball Posts 10. Game Clocks

ThE Top 10 Circle No. 136 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 57

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Delivery 11 Automated of Pool Chemicals Maintaining a pool is unlike maintaining any other facility. Monitoring and balancing all the chemicals needed to keep the water clean is a science requiring skill and time. Fortunately, much of the manual work to keep chemical levels balanced has become automated. Modern delivery systems balance chemicals as needed to keep the pool clean and safe.

Scoring Tables 12 While some of the best courtside locations at any game are reserved for press and game personnel, the advent of new scoring tables has allowed schools to generate revenue from these free seats.

Originally, messages on these tables were static, limiting the number that could be displayed during any one game. Then it became possible to show a rotating selection of messages, multiplying the number of sponsorship opportunities. Now, tables can display high-definition messages through LED lighting, opening the door for live stats, animation, and even video, further monetizing this valuable space.

Wall Mats 13 Indoor facilities will always have one inherent danger that does not mix well with athletic competition: walls.

While walls have gotten no softer over the past 25 years, today’s gym wall mats offer a lot more safety than their predecessors.

High-density foam pads absorb more impact force than older ones and are easier to install and maintain. Many are fire-retardant and some are even designed to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds that can cause health risks.

You can also jazz up your facility by covering your gym wall pads with custom graphics that can turn a safety project into a makeover.

Efficient Lights 14 Energy Today’s indoor athletic facilities are viewed in a different light than those of the past, both figuratively and literally. Environmental concerns have led to major advances in lighting, from the development of high efficiency fluorescent lamps to the use of LEDs. As a result, gyms are more brightly lit than before while energy usage has been cut, often by two-thirds or more. In addition, new control systems allow athletic directors to use only the amount of light that is needed at any particular time. Some units even use

sensors to automatically adjust the lighting only in areas being used.

Structures 15 Practice While there is a lot to be said for practicing in the great outdoors, when wind, rain, snow, and lightning enter the picture, most teams would rather be inside. And going inside is easier than ever thanks to the emergence of air-supported practice structures. Originally designed to accommodate football teams looking for an indoor practice space without building a permanent facility, these structures are now used for a variety of sports. They have also become much more energy efficient over the years, allowing them to become a less costly alternative to building a permanent structure in some cases.

Dividers 16 Gym The common view of gym wall dividers is of bulky partitions that take forever to operate. But today’s operable walls deploy and retract quickly and easily, helping administrators get the most out of limited gym space. New controls and safety devices reduce the risk of accident and injury. There have also been upgrades to lightweight curtains and nets, and schools now have a wide variety of attractive and practical options to choose from.

Chairs 17 Customized Fans aren’t the only ones benefiting

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from new arena seating options. Athletes can now enjoy the comfort of padded sideline chairs that can be branded with sponsor logos, offering schools additional sponsorship and promotional opportunities. And new quick-folding chairs give basketball teams the opportunity to get away from the crowd during time-outs by setting up on the playing floor in seconds.

Indoor Track Surfaces 18 Although synthetic surfaces are hardly a new arrival to the world of indoor track and field, developments in polyurethane have allowed manufacturers to build surfaces that have produced faster times while also reducing the risk of injury. These surfaces are designed to meet the varied needs of sprinters, middle distance, and distance runners while lowering maintenance time and expense.

Anti-Microbial 19 LockeR Rooms MRSA was never a factor when locker room were being designed 25 years

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FACILITIES

ago. But manufacturers have answered the need for protection from this health threat by adding organic anti-microbial compounds to kill microorganisms and reduce the chance for MRSA to spread in locker rooms. These treatments are also used on benches and even on locker room towels.

At the same time, ventilation has been increased for both locker rooms and the lockers themselves, making for a healthier, more pleasant environment for users.

Safety 20 Bleacher After a spate of deaths in bleacher accidents in the late 1990s, the Consumer Product Safety Commission developed guidelines for bleacher safety suggesting schools use features that are now commonplace. These safety moves include guardrails on the backs and sides of bleachers with minimal open-

No longer does there have to be a physical connection between the scoreboard and its controllers. This has also reduced costs since schools don’t have to run wires through their gym.

Plus, schools can run multiple scoreboards off a single controller. ings to prevent children from falling through. They also recommended risers to cover the space below and above the floorboards. Most modern bleachers meet these standards while also addressing the need for easy retractability. And older bleachers can be retrofitted to meet updated safety standards.

21

Anti-Microbial indoor surfaces One of the ways to help reduce the risk of MRSA or other skin-related disease is by keeping surfaces as clean as possible. This led to the introduction of anti-microbial and anti-bacterial surfaces, which are available in both rubber and vinyl flooring and floor coverings.

Anti-bacterial surfaces prevent the build up of disease-causing bacteria while anti-microbial products help reduce stains and mold, making them easier to clean and disinfect.

Scoreboard 22 Wireless Controls The increased use of wireless technology has allowed facility managers great flexibility in placing scoreboards and their controllers. No longer does there have to be a physical connection between the two. This has also reduced costs since schools don’t have to run wires through their gym. Plus, schools can run multiple scoreboards off a single controller at the same time or use one controller to operate scoreboards in different locations.

FLOOR AND WALL 23 GRAPHICs New products and technology have turned gym floors and walls into artistic canvases. Stunning 3-D graphics seem to leap off floors, garnering fans’ attention and increasing school pride. Some basketball courts have earned national press for their unique designs such as Oregon’s forest motif. Meanwhile, new temporary graphics allow schools to adorn their courts and walls for special one-time events or to display a rotating list of sponsors, broadening their revenue base.

Faster Pools 24 There’s little doubt that the record times posted by today’s swimmers come largely from advancements in strength training and nutrition regimens. But they also reflect improvements in the competition arena itself. Pools are faster than ever thanks to design changes, such as gutters that better absorb and dissipate the waves swimmers generate, lane lines that better prevent turbulence from one swimmer affecting another, and more consistent chemical balance. Little things can mean a lot when you’re talking about thousandths of a second.

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Cover Storage 25 Floor Out of sight may be out of mind for fans, but facility managers have long worried about properly storing floor covers when they’re not being used. The development of easy to use racks and transporters has made it far simpler for schools to roll up their covers, rather than fold them, which can cause creases and cracks. These systems can be typically operated by one person, minimizing staffing needs, and allow schools to transport floor covers to more appropriate storage areas rather than using the corner of the gym. n

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2013

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CELEBRATING

• I N D U S T R Y • YEARS

Over the past several decades, CoverSports has continued manufacturing in the U.S., and is adding more manufacturing jobs in Philadelphia, Penn. CoverSports has responded to the dynamic marketplace, specifically with adding its printing capabilities. The trend in the market is brand awareness, so the company is offering its customers the option to add lettering and logos and promote their school or team.

Over the years, Spalding® has expanded its sporting goods line to include over 1,000 products for the basketball, volleyball and gymnasium sport categories. Spalding is the official basketball and backboard of the National Basketball Association and backboard of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

CoverSports will continue increasing its Internet-visibility and add a dynamic e-commerce functionality. That’s just one example of how the company is looking to advance its operations in areas that respond customers’ needs, while maintaining an innovative approach. Plus, the company will continue looking for the most durable and highest quality fabrics at cost-effective prices, maintaining its position as a high-quality low-cost provider/ manufacturer. For more information, visit coversports.com.

As athletes continue to push the limits and break new barriers, Spalding will continue to search out new solutions to keep them at their peak performance. Spalding is proud to provide the best in sports equipment, so athletes everywhere can go from their local gym to the worldwide stage. For more information, visit spaldingequipment.com.

GreensGroomer Worldwide has long been considered a leader in synthetic turf maintenance equipment. With growth in infilled systems, many turf managers rely on the technology GreensGroomer WorldWide provides—ensuring synthetic turf safety, playability, and aesthetics. GreensGroomer provides maintenance solutions that save time and provide efficiencies through simple product design, low mechanical complexity, and high reliability.

Aacer Sport Flooring has been used within the NBA, NCAA, and thousands of high schools, middle schools, churches, and municipal facilities around the world. Aacer’s list of prestigious installations directly result from its talented network of dealers. All Aacer dealers are trained and certified by the factory, giving owners the confidence to hire and select Aacer’s Sports Flooring lineup. The NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, and NCAA Division I University of Arizona Wildcats are two examples of teams that have chosen Aacer as their flooring provider.

Standard maintenance techniques are quickly being improved to address field safety concerns. Whether it’s combating surface hardness or microbial populations, GreensGroomer has the right equipment with the GREENZAPR. Most significant is the use of germicidal UVC to eliminate dangerous pathogens such as HIV, MRSA, Staph, and e-coli. GreensGroomer offers simple, effective solutions for these risks, without the use of harmful chemicals. For more information, visit

Aacer Sports Flooring is always continuing to develop and test new flooring surface options to help improve the overall safety, affordability, and longevity of all its floor systems. One of the newest developed products not only provides all of the above, but is also one of the greenest products available. The Ultra Flex DC is a product that utilizes no gimmicks—and provides athletes and owners the performance and dependability they demand. Visit aacerflooring.com for more information.

Porter Athletic has been a pioneer in the gymnasium equipment market since originating the overhead basketball backstop.

More recently, Porter developed the overhead volleyball system, the center roll divider curtain, and the LED touch screen gym operating system—all examples of new technology that provide ever safer, convenient, and more versatile athletic facilities.

Jaypro is an industry leader, providing innovative sports equipment like the Volleyball Flex Net International, NOVA Ultimate Folding Soccer Goal, Hoop Rejuvenator™ Basketball Kit, and germninja® Ultraviolet Sports Ball Sanitizer. Jaypro recently added a state-of-the-art powder coating system, giving its customers the best possible quality in painted products.

Porter understands the unique challenges of the athletic facility market.

New product development across all sports will improve players and officials’ safety, increase athletic facility flexibility, promote team spirit and school pride, and heighten level of athletic performance. Visit porterathletic.com to see the newest gym equipment innovations.

For its 60th anniversary, Jaypro has launched an Innovation Challenge inviting the public to share new product ideas. One winner will have the chance to develop their idea into a real product and have it patented and licensed. Visit jaypro.com for details.

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greensgroomer.com.

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Covermaster, Inc. has introduced innovations including its

COVERMATE™ floor cover handling system, POWERMATE™, and its COVERCLEAN™ brush system. The company has also featured floorlocking braes, safety roller collars, and ADA compliant covers.

Covermaster Inc. is continuing to invest in research and testing to bring innovative products to market. These products are specifically designed to enhance the protection of sports surfaces when they are used for non-athletic events. For more information, visit covermaster.com.

Bison will continue to pursue product development ideas from its customers with a special focus on player safety, durability, and solving facility challenges. As “A Goal for Every Game” implies, Bison will continue to add “Made in the USA” sports equipment for popular high school and college sports. For more information, visit Bison at bisoninc.com.

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Circle No. 607

Beynon Sports ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturing facility

The development of the Octasound Speaker system has made clear, high-fidelity announcements and music achievable and affordable in arenas and gymnasiums. Its unique design combines four discrete horns and a large woofer in one integrated unit—which sounds great and can withstand the punishment delivered by hockey pucks, basketballs, and more.

in Hunt Valley, Md., is dedicated to producing more than 40 different polyurethane components. For that reason, the company’s 50,000 square-foot manufacturing facility is dedicated solely to research and development, production, and quality assurance of its outdoor and indoor synthetic sports surfaces.

A few of Beynon’s sustainable components and environmentallyfriendly research and development initiatives include 100-percent Solids Primer, Aliphatic Coatings, 100-percent Solids 1-C Spray, Waterbased 1-C Spray, Beypur 250, and Water-based 2-C Indoor Coating.

These products feature low solvents and odors, and an emphasis on environmentally friendly components. Learn more by visiting

beynonsports.com.

Circle No. 608 Robbins® continues to be a leader in athletic floor innovation through

designing floors that enhance player safety and performance. Most recently, Robbins introduced EZ-XL, a hardwood surface that prevents panelization— while using a water-based finish for low VOC emissions. Robbins also developed the MVP® (Maximum Vibration Protection) floor system, which reduces player fatigue and injury by reducing floor vibrations.

With more than 25 patents obtained over the last 30 years, Robbins will continue leading the way by designing and enhancing floor systems that exceed industry performance standards—including the stringent MFMA standard, PUR. The highest consideration will continue to be given to player safety and injury reduction, contributing to athletes’ well-being and future careers. Additionally, Robbins will continue focusing on custom floor solutions and environmentally friendly finishes and surfaces. To learn more, visit robbinsfloor.com.

What company introduced a durable, affordable breakaway goal in 1985 that allowed virtually every gym to have the latest, safest technology?

Bison did, and its innovations since then include bolt-on backboard padding, lifetime-warranty basketball systems, No-Tip soccer goals with built-in ballast, and several cutting-edge volleyball systems including a truly freestanding portable and a self-storing telescoping system.

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KDM will be extending the Octasound line to provide speakers that suit a wider range of circumstances—smaller facilities, meeting rooms, and more. Also planned are factory-tailored, turnkey systems incorporating the new Octasound RM2 mixer. This mixer will provide an ultra-simple interface enabling the non-technical user to connect a microphone, laptop, or MP3 player with ease. Visit octasound.com to learn more.

Circle No. 609 Matéflex Corporation has attained its 39th year in business, with a parent company celebrating 100 years of family ownership. In this time the company has introduced the Matéflex II tennis surface; ProGym and Inline Arena Tile solid top designs; and the newest HomeCourt outdoor sports surface for the Athletic and Recreational Sports market.

Matéflex continues to support the resurfacing of older, deteriorated athletic, and recreational sports courts with a full line of products and services with some of the most reasonable pricing in the industry. The introduction of the latest design—the HomeCourt tile—will provide one of the toughest products on the market with the widest range of useful applications. Find out more at matéflex.com.

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T R AC K & F I E L D

Targeting

Safety

It’s easy to overlook the numerous risks in track and field. Our sports safety expert explains how to increase safety—and reduce lawsuits.

By Dr. Richard P. Borkowski

A

long time ago, I was cutting across a college athletic field to avoid being late to class. I heard someone say “Heads up!” I looked up and watched a classmate get impaled in the chest by a javelin. Two members of the track team were getting a little extra practice in throwing the javelin back and forth. No coaches were present.

My classmate recovered, graduated, and had a fine teaching career. I graduated and entered the education field, too, but never really recovered. I’ve been an advocate for safety in sports ever since.

Over the years, I’ve written numerous articles and books and served as an expert witness in many different legal cases regarding risk management in athletics.

Recently, I’ve seen too many injuries and lawsuits related to track and field. With pole vault tragedies, wayward discs, and overuse injuries, increasing safety in this sport takes a strategic game plan.

In its 27th annual report, the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research revealed that spring high school sports were associated with 136 direct catastrophic injuries from 1983 through 2009. Track and field led all spring sports with 65 catastrophic injuries.

Making It a Priority

The first step in track and field risk management is to promote a culture of

“safety first.” If the head coach doesn’t think safe practices are important, no one will. A coach can create the proper atmosphere by talking about lessening risks with the staff, athletes, and their parents. And then he or she needs to walk the walk, demonstrating a commitment to safety on a daily basis.

It is sometimes difficult to get the entire staff to support this important duty. Some coaches feel that putting time and effort into preaching safety is unnecessary because, “Everyone knows they can get hurt falling over a hurdle.” Others feel that if you inform the athletes of potential injuries, they will stop participating. Both of these beliefs are untrue.

To get through to athletes and parents, a good strategy is to talk about the potential risks in the sport at the preseason parent and team meetings.

Explain to athletes that it is their duty to follow safety rules and be conscious of potential dangers. Informing people about the risks of an activity lowers the chance of injuries— and it does not deter them from participating. In addition, go over any informed consent form parents are required to sign to make sure they understand it.

What are a coach’s duties regarding safety? To start, coaches should have

training in basic first aid and CPR as well as knowledge about using an automated external defibrillator. They should understand the importance of hydration and a proper warmup. They should be well versed in the current rules of all appropriate governing bodies.

Coaches must also understand how to properly condition athletes. Maintain records that show each athlete has had a physical examination, followed a progressive training program, and is physically prepared to participate. Don’t forget that adequate rest is part of training.

Richard P. Borkowski, EdD, CMAA, is a sport and recreation safety consultant and the former Director of Physical Education and Athletics at the Episcopal Academy in Merion, Pa. His most recently published book is titled, Game Plan for Sport Safety.

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T R AC K & F I E L D A colleague of mine used to require that everyone complete a mile run on the first day of practice. His logic was that his students would get in shape before the season since they knew of the mile requirement. The reality is that he was not responsibly preparing his athletes and instead setting up those who were not in shape for potential injuries.

Beyond basic duties, walking the walk means constantly communicating about safety. On a daily basis, coaches should provide verbal warnings and reminders

practice jump. There were no assistants or spotters present.

The lack of proper supervision is the complaint most often cited against coaches in lawsuits. A coach’s presence during an activity is the key line of defense against potential problems.

Being there, however, is only the first step. Supervision means controlling the situation by continually scanning the activity from the best vantage point. The coach must notice and stop any situation that could be dangerous.

The lack of proper supervision is the complaint most often cited against coaches in lawsuits. within the context of normal instruction.

Comments like, “Can someone pull that rake further away from the jumping pit?” and “Did you double-check whether that broken hurdle was fixed adequately?” should be brought up as needed.

Put rules in place that decrease injuries even if they are unpopular with the athletes. For example, athletes should not be permitted to wear headphones while in the track area. Most jewelry and other body adornments are not allowed at meets, and they also should not be allowed at practice.

Another great idea is to develop and maintain a safety checklist. Most coaches will remember most of their responsibilities, but a written, up-to-date checklist enables you to remember all of them.

Proper Supervision

A few years ago, a former high school pole vaulter was awarded over $6 million in a lawsuit after he fell head first in the unpadded planting box and suffered injuries that resulted in him becoming paralyzed from the chest down. While there were several factors that led to this verdict, the major failure was not having a qualified supervisor present as advised by the governing body.

A coach told the pole vaulters to warm up while he looked for an official.

One athlete, unable to get his timing down because of a short, poorly designed runway that was made even shorter because of equipment stored on it, was catastrophically injured on his first 66 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

The number of different track and field events spread over a large space places an added strain on reasonable supervision.

Some ways to combat this problem are: • Have enough coaches to cover the different events. A coach at the running events, one at throwing events, and one at jumping events would be a minimal start.

• If you have a limited coaching staff, rotate the practice times, especially for the higher risk events such as throws and the pole vault. Runners come out at 3:00, throwers come out at 3:30, and so forth.

• A whistle and a cell phone help with control and communication.

And don’t forget that active supervision is necessary during warmups. This is not the time for a coach to have a quick meeting or run back to the school to get something he or she forgot. Injuries can and do happen while athletes are warming up.

Throwing Events

While evaluating a school baseball field in New York City, I noticed a javelin in the air over the next field. It landed within 20 yards of the first base coach. A closer look showed shot putters throwing directly under the flight path of the javelins in one direction and the discus people throwing in the opposite direction—without a cage.

When I spoke to the coach he said they had limited space and never had an incident. Sometimes you can do everything wrong, and no one gets hurt. But that’s not an acceptable excuse when that first catastrophic injury happens.

There are three main rules in throwing event safety. First, it’s critical to keep these areas away from other activities. It’s also key to have throwing cages in place, and they must be checked for stability and proper net tension. Third, there must be strict rules on where athletes can be and when.

During a hammer throw practice at an Ivy League college, an athlete was struck in the head with a hammer while retrieving his own hammer. A major issue in the court case that followed was the fact that the coach never felt it necessary to instruct or remind college kids not to throw when people are in the throwing zone.

Here are some more tips for specific throwing events: Shot Put: The area should be located away from all other event areas. Boundary flags and ropes should warn and keep non-participants far outside the throwing area—and they must be placed with enough buffer space for wayward throws.

Check the rulebook for your governing body and follow what it says regarding boundary matters.

You should also: • Keep waiting participants a minimum of five feet behind the throwing circle.

• Consider installing the new shot put netting, which is a three-sided net and pole containment area.

• Remind athletes to never turn their back to the throwing circle.

• Emphasize that a thrower should never be in the throwing circle when someone is in or near the throwing zone.

The safest way for athletes to retrieve their shots is to have everyone do it at the same time. A shot put ramp return, similar to the ball return in bowling, has been tried at major meets to reduce the chance of injury and improve efficiency, but it is not a replacement for good supervision.

Javelin: The aerodynamic shape of the javelin makes it susceptible to wind changes and skidding on the surface if the point does not penetrate the ground. To avoid potential problems due to off-target javelins, perform this event on a separate field and cordon it off with warning flags.

If no space is available other than the inside of the track oval, practice this event only when no one is on the track or infield.

As with the shot put, there are specific steps to take: • All throwers should retrieve their javelins at the same time.

• Always push the javelin into a vertical position, then pull it from the ground.

• No throws should occur without approval.

• Never retrieve and then throw back a javelin.

• Coaches should always keep their eyes on the runway.

Discus: Because learning how to throw the discus is difficult, this can be a high-risk event. Both the spin movement and proper grip can be tough to master, meaning discs may leave an athlete’s hand before they are supposed to. In addition, like javelins, a discus will skid upon impact. A wet or artificial surface can increase the skid distance. Requirements for a cage, throwing zone dimensions, and increased depth of the cage have lowered the chance of injuries considerably.

It’s important to be aware of dangers posed by cages. Metal cages can ricochet an errant discus right back to the thrower.

Loose net cages can allow the discus to make contact with people who stand too close. Also, check cages for holes and stability.

Hammer: This event carries the same safety suggestions as mentioned for the shot and the discus. Use the correct cage and remember this projectile impacts a large surface area. Throwers have been injured when their hammer hit the inside of a chain-link cage and ricocheted at them.

Jumping Events

There may not be implements flying through the air during jumping events, but bodies running and flying through the air present their own set of dangers. Injuries in these events tend to occur from collisions on runways and jumpers landing on hard surfaces. Uncovered cement surfaces around jumping pits and runways continue to be an issue with older facilities.

High Jump: Make sure the approach is clear of debris and dry. Check the landing pad for gaps—all sections must be attached. Check the cross bar for cracks.

Avoid hard surfaces around the landing pit since participants sometimes bounce off the mats.

Long and Triple Jump: Check the runway for debris, cracks, and upheavals.

Check the take-off board for stability.

Raking and leveling the landing pit will reduce injuries. Remove all maintenance equipment, such as rakes, from around the pit.

Cordon off the area, including the runway, to prevent non-participants from trying to cross the runway before the next jump. I have seen the result of a sprinter and long jumper collision created by a sprinter taking a short cut across the runway to get his sweatsuit.

Pole Vault: An experienced pole vault coach said, “No one gets a pole until I am sure he or she understands the idea of the event, is in shape, and knows how to run.” Those are some great words. Possibly more than any other event, the pole vault requires competent instruction, practice, supervision, and sensitivity to all safety issues.

While the landing pad has been improved and is now larger, vaulters still miss the landing area. Pad all hard surfaces around the landing pad. Keep supplemental objects such as tables, extra poles, and other hard objects far away from the landing pit. In addition, secure all padding, making sure to avoid gaps. You should also consider the NFHS suggestion to paint the plant box a different color than the runway.

Stay current with the rulebook and discussions regarding the use of a helmet.

The ASTM has established a standard for pole vault helmets that should reduce the severity of head injuries and a handful of states now require helmets. However, some vaulters feel a helmet is too heavy and hinders the act of pole vaulting. Many governing bodies are currently discussing this topic.

Always supervise the pole vault. Having an additional assistant to act as a spotter is another safety consideration. Coaches

to cross the track without looking both ways. Three specific events warrant more discussion: Hurdles: Athletes learning the hurdles require instruction on how to master the event. Without the right coordination and rhythm, injury risk increases.

Always double-check the distance markers for the hurdle placement.

In addition, inspect your hurdles to make sure they are in good condition on a regular basis. Check for cracks and uneven heights as well as corrosion on the height adjustment buttons—hurdles are often left out in all kinds of weather and may be abused by non-hurdlers.

Practicing on grass or other fields is often a good teaching strategy. However, make sure the surface is flat. In upstate New York, hurdles were placed on a football field without regard for the crown in the middle of the field, which can create an uneven surface. This was the major issue of the lawsuit that followed an athlete’s fall going over the hurdle.

Steeplechase: Because this is not a regular event, those participating are often undertrained for it. If you include the steeplechase, have participants train for its unique elements.

In terms of hosting the event, check the heights of the barriers. Water jumps should be clean and filled.

Possibly more than any other event, the pole vault requires competent instruction, practice, supervision, and sensitivity to all safety issues. should also check the condition of the pole and if it is appropriate for the individual athlete.

Schools lacking knowledgeable pole vault coaches should consider making arrangements with a qualified coach at a neighboring school to practice at that site. I’ve seen this creative idea enhance the general goodwill among schools.

Barriers should be enclosed to prevent participants from slipping under them.

Track and field safety is not complicated. But it does require interest in the welfare of those in your charge on a daily basis. Your athletes’ health comes first, with points and wins a distance second.

Running Events

The main safety consideration for running events is to not have too many things occurring on the track at the same time. Every practice must be well organized and athletes must know not

A version of this article was previously published in Coaching Management Track and Field, a former sister publication to Athletic Management.

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 67

Track & Field Many Hurdling Options

Protects Tracks

The 2013 “Everything Track & Field” Catalog features a selection of the world’s finest high school, prep school, and college hurdles—including favorite models from UCS, Gill, and First Place. For the high school facing a budget crunch, M-F suggests its First Place Rocker Hurdle with a one-piece 16 gauge welded steel base. This hurdle comes with a five-year guarantee and adjusts easily to heights ranging from 30 to 42 inches.

Special low prices are available on orders of 10 or more hurdles.

Covermaster had a clever idea for athletic fields with running tracks— teams crossing back and forth to the field can wear out a track, resulting in costly repairs. Covermaster’s Cross-Over Track Protector is made of toughest polypropylene geo-textile material that resists steel-tipped cleats, abrasive footwear, and equipment—and protects the track while allowing rain to drain through. A heavy, galvanized steel chain inside the perimeter’s hemmed edge keeps the Track Protector in place without the use of stakes or staples.

M-F Athletic • 800-556-7464 www.mfathletic.com

Covermaster • 800-387-5808 www.covermaster.com

Circle No. 545

Same Great Service

Stop Buying Batteries

Accusplit’s AX 740BL Pro Memory Series stopwatches are professional timing devices with Super BackLighting that stays on for 10 minutes with each push of the backlight button. The AX 740 SBL uses a rechargeable battery and comes with a three-way recharging kit—and includes attachments for wall outlet, car, and USB charging.

Accusplit • 800-935-1996 www.accusplit.com

Circle No. 555

Since 1974, Blazer has provided its customers with the same quality, service, and fair prices that have always defined the company—these will remain Blazer’s everlasting goals.

Blazer produces some of the greatest hurdles ever built. Along with a complete line of track and field products, Blazer also manufacturers high-quality volleyball equipment, soccer goals, football, baseball, and training equipment, and is a distributor of the famous Big Red Scorebooks.

Blazer Manufacturing Company • 800-322-2731 www.blazerathletic.com Circle No. 554

Resilient Wear

The PolyTurf SP system is a smooth surface that utilizes revolutionary BEYPUR 500 technology to provide a non-textured surface that repels the wear and indentation of spikes. The PolyTurf SP system can feature a bio-engineered force reduction layer or a prefabricated polyurethane-bound pad beneath Beynon Sports Surfaces’ proprietary polyurethane wear layer to increase return of energy and shock absorbency. PolyTurf SP’s resilient wear layers are tough enough to endure the extreme demands of daily training and competition—as well as the abuse of tables, chairs, and rolling loads.

Beynon Sports Surfaces • 800-724-2969 www.beynonsports.com

Circle No. 543

Timed Just Right

The AX 725 Pro Memory Series stopwatches are professional timing devices with significantly increased functionality going beyond Accusplit’s tremendously successful Classic X (WOS) series. The AX 725 has the exclusive AOS 4.5 operating system with a twin left-right button operation feature, which is designed to give coaches, athletes, and timers the most precise timing available. All AX Pro Series stopwatches are cased in Accusplit’s distinctive, ergonomically designed “X” Case.

Accusplit • 800-935-1996 www.accusplit.com

World-Class System

Catalog Available

Blazer Manufacturing Company • 800-322-2731 www.blazerathletic.com Circle No. 553

M-F Athletic • 800-556-7464 www.mfathletic.com

New to Blazer is The Inflate & Go, an inflatable high jump and pole vault landing system. This system delivers world-class landing systems without the storage issues.

They are safe and affordable, and provide athletes and athletic departments alike a flexible and usable system to maximize their jumping results. You can easily assemble and disassemble The Inflate & Go in minutes.

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Circle No. 556

The “Everything Track & Field” Catalog is available for coaches and athletic directors free upon request. Major track specialties such as vaulting poles and pits, throwing implements of every type, hurdles, and starting blocks—as well as roll-out runways, benches and bleachers, barriers and take-off systems, and cages—are conveniently indexed and grouped for easy access and comparison. Call or go online to request your copy.

Circle No. 544

Guide to Indoor Flooring

In 1974, the Matéflex Modular Flooring Company was formed to manufacture and market in the United States. The company has been in continuous business at its Utica, N.Y., headquarters ever since, under a parent company established in 1912.

“Matéflex identified the appropriate flooring solution and worked closely with us to complete the project on time and within budget.”

Recent Installations: Riverside Swim Club, Riverside, IL City of Montgomery, AL Park & Rec Missouri Western St. University American Univ. of Nigeria The Training Ctr., Parker Ford, PA Primary Advantages:

Matéflex knows sports and flooring. That’s why the company engineers all its state-of-the-art tiles for peak performance and near bulletproof durability. All of its modular flooring is portable and extremely low maintenance.

And that’s not all—these tiles are affordable and easy to install.

Matéflex is the oldest U.S. modular tile manufacturer. The company has been doing this since 1974, and it keeps finding new ways to do it better.

Matéflex 800-926-3539 www.mateflex.com See ad on page 13 • Circle No. 500

Aacer Flooring is a 300,000-square-foot, state-of-theart manufacturing facility capable of producing 35-million board feet of annual hardwood flooring.

Aacer Flooring is a company with more than 100 years of experience in every part of the wood flooring industry. This knowledge of the business created the state-of-theart manufacturing facility with an eye to quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction.

“I am very impressed and satisfied with the Aacer Channel floor system. Our players seem to love it and it looks beautiful—and again, I’m very happy with the results.” ­— Bobby Cremins, Head Coach College of Charleston Men’s Basketball Recent Installations: College of Charleston, SC University of Louisville, KY University of Arizona, AZ Marist College, NJ Louisiana State University, LA Primary Advantages:

Aacer Flooring’s main advantage over the competition is its highly experienced dealer network. The company’s extensive worldwide network is comprised of the most highly trained contractors available, and are responsible for installing and delivering the best floors possible. This network is always going through continuing education provided by Aacer Flooring and the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association.

Aacer Flooring 877-582-1181 www.aacerflooring.com See ad on page 36 • Circle No. 501

Tarkett Sports has a complete range of traditional and innovative hardwood, synthetic, and rubberized sports surfaces. Plus, the company works closely with you in order to provide you with a customized solution for all your indoor sports flooring needs.

“After weighing our options it became clear to us that going with Tarkett Sports made the most sense.

As a result of that decision we now have a world class facility that plays as well as it looks.”

—Bruce Thompson, Capital Project Manager, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Recent Installations: Fort Story High School, Fort Story, VA Little Creek High School, VA Eric Ramstad Middle School, ND Santa Fe Indian School Center, , NM D.C Superior Courts, Washington, DC Primary Advantages:

As a division of The Tarkett Group, which was established in 1886, Tarkett Sports has earned its reputation as one of the most financially stable and trusted indoor sports surfacing companies on the planet. The company’s 28 international production sites allow Tarkett Sports to benefit from unmatched technical and manufacturing resources. With the help of a dedicated research and development team, all products feature unique value-added benefits.

Standing behind the quality of the products, Tarkett Sports provides its customers with the most reliable and comprehensive of warranties.

Tarkett Sports 888-364-6541 www.tarkett-sports.com See ad on pages 4 & 5• Circle No. 558

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 69

Guide to Indoor Flooring

Robbins Sports Surfaces is a premier supplier of highperformance maple and synthetic sports flooring to the NBA, NCAA, arena, education, and fitness markets. Athletes compete and practice on millions of square feet of Robbins flooring every day.

Robbins is dedicated to designing floors that enhance player safety and performance, contributing to the well-being and future careers of all athletes.

“I have the best floor in the history of the game.”

-Coach Roy Williams, University of North Carolina Recent Installations: LA Lakers Richmond Olympic Oval University of North Carolina University of Michigan Toronto Raptors

Beynon Sports was founded by John T. Beynon, with the vision of creating high-performance synthetic athletic surfaces designed for speed and competition—and most importantly, daily training.

“I have found over the years that I trust your company—and more importantly—that you are a man I can trust. You keep your word and value having good relationships with your customers.”

-Pat Henry, Head Coach Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, Texas A & M University Recent Installations: University of Washington Bucknell University Kentucky University Florida State University ESPN Wide World of Sports, Kissimmee, FL Primary Advantages:

Robbins is a fourth generation, family-owned company with a strong commitment to producing the highest quality sports flooring systems in the world. In addition, Robbins has the benefit of a global dealer network that consists of industry veterans with great knowledge of the sports flooring market. Robbins offers a broad range of products, as well. From wood to synthetic, Robbins has the ability and resources to cover every surface in a facility, regardless of budget or size, with a high quality, high performance floor.

While the Beynon Sports Surfaces takes pride in its history and accomplishments, it’s even prouder of the performance, longevity, and resiliency of its athletic surfaces. Quite simply, Beynon Sports Surfaces’ products are safe; provide a great return of energy; and allow athletes to train daily without the risk of injuries found when using alternative sheet good products. In addition, Beynon Sports Surfaces’ products are totally seamless, customizable, and can be resurfaced at a fraction of the original installation cost to greatly extend the product lifecycle.

Robbins Sports Surfaces 800-543-1913 www.robbinsfloor.com See ad on page 58 • Circle No. 547

Beynon Sports Surfaces 800-724-2969 www.beynonsports.com See ad on page 8 • Circle No. 548

Primary Advantages:

70 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

Infinity Performance has led the industry in developing some of the most durable flooring products designed specifically for extreme athletic weight room applications.

The company’s 1.25-inch thick Infinity Max™ is the only product on the market that comes with a 10-year warranty that covers free weight damage.

“Thank you for the great floor and all the support this year.

It was truly a great help on the success we had this season.”

—Chris Ruf, Director of Football, Baylor University Recent Installations: Arizona State University Texas A & M University Mississippi State University Ohio State University University of Notre Dame West Virginia University Baylor University Duke University Florida State University Texas Tech University Texas Christian University University of Arkansas Primary Advantages:

Infinity Performance’s 1.25-inch thick Infinity Max™ is one of the most durable surfaces available for weight room applications, and the company backs it with up to a 10-year warranty that covers free weight damage. Infinity Performance also works closely with strength and conditioning coaches and their architects to design the perfect custom colors and logos for their facility. Infinity Performance is committed to providing the highest quality flooring installations.

Infinity Flooring 888-479-1017 www.infinityflooring.com See ad on page 33 • Circle No. 546

Gym Components Highly efficient

Sports Laundry Systems (SLS) eliminates 99.9 percent of superbugs, bacteria, and viruses— including MRSA—found in soiled laundry at gyms and athletic facilities. SLS pairs freestanding, high-speed washer-extractors with ozone injection and high-performance drying tumblers to disinfect laundry and help prevent the spread of infection among athletes. SLS delivers superior laundry productivity using considerably less water, chemicals, and energy.

Sports Laundry Systems • 920-230-8550 www.sportslaundrysystems.com

Spalding • 800-435-3865 www.spaldingequipment.com

Circle No. 506

Resources and More

Salsbury believes its standard lockers were too small for some football, baseball, and softball teams. But Salsbury Industries’ Open Access Lockers provide large vented space for clothing, uniforms and many other applications—and they include a coat rod, a lockable upper shelf, and foot-locker for secure equipment storage.

Salsbury Industries’ trained and knowledgeable staff will get you what you need on time and on budget. For a free catalog or additional information, contact Salsbury Industries Circle No. 503

Safe Cover Handling System

COVERMATE II ™ represents a breakthrough in gymnasium safety by way of retractable outriggers that reduce the risk of tipping.

Also, yellow collars on each roller end prevent fingers from getting pinched, while each roller is held captive with special safety bolts. Six casters, two of which are offset, reduce the floor point load by 33 percent, while foot operated locks anchor the system to the floor during operation. For a brochure and DVD, contact Covermaster.

Covermaster • 800-387-5808 www.covermaster.com

Spalding divider curtains offer facilities a reliable and effective means of maximizing space. They are handcrafted out of 18-ounce reinforced vinyl for privacy and mesh to help with airflow. Spalding offers a variety of colors, which all meet the NFPA 701, ASTM E-84, CAL117, CA Prop 65, and CPSIA compliance. All divider curtains are custom-made, so consult your Spalding dealer to find the one that’s best suited for your needs.

Circle No. 502

Vented Space

Salsbury Industries • 800-LOCKERS www.lockers.com

Maximize Space

The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) is a national organization for builders, designers, and suppliers of materials for tennis courts, running tracks, synthetic and natural turf fields, and indoor and outdoor synthetic sports surfaces. ASBA publishes Buyer’s Guides with information on the process of selecting a site, choosing a contractor, identifying a surface, and more. Visit the ASBA’s Web site for a searchable database of members.

American Sports Builders Association • 866-501-2722 www.sportsbuilders.org Circle No. 507

Bolster Productivity

Continental Girbau’s E-Series WasherExtractors and Pro-Series II Drying Tumblers combine for maximized laundry productivity using less energy, labor time, and water. E-Series Washers, available in 20- to 255-pound capacities, offer a freestanding design for simple installations, with most models operating on single-phase power. They deliver extract speeds of up to 387 G-force, remove more water from every load, shorten dry time, and improve productivity. Pro-Series II Drying Tumblers in 30to 175-pound capacities offer a quick dry, using less energy.

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

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Circle No. 504

Modernizes Gyms Building wraps are universally recognized as an attention grabber and an excellent way to turn a building into a huge corporate identity billboard or platform for promoting your brand, event, or project. If your goal is to raise brand awareness, celebrate an achievement, or promote an event, building wraps from BigSigns.com are a highly visible and effective solution.

Sport Pride™ full-color photo-quality graphic wall padding, scorers tables, and chairs are available from Future Pro to modernize and energize any gymnasium.

Free custom artwork is provided for most styles—and solid-colored, lettered, and LED options can be mixed and matched to accommodate nearly any budget. Wall padding is available in two- and four-foot widths, scorers tables in four-, eight-, and 12-foot lengths, and the chair minimum order is just four.

BigSigns.com • 800-790-7611 www.bigsigns.com

Future Pro • 800-328-4625 www.futureproinc.com

Big Visibility

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Directory

Advertisers Directory Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

121 . . Aacer Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

112 . . CoverSports (FenceMate® TuffPrint™). . . . . . . . . . 21

136 . . Porter (No. 1791). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

119 . . Accusplit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

126 . . CoverSports (gym floor covers). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

138 . . Porter (No. 2080). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

106 . . American Public University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

135 . . Fathead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

137 . . Robbins Sports Surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

108 . . American Sports Builders Assn.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

102 . . FieldTurf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

123 . . Salsbury Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

139 . . Antiwave Pool Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

113 . . Florida State University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

116 . . Samson Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

124 . . Athletic Management Program Services . . . . . . . 39

114 . . germninja® (Jaypro). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

100 . . Spalding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC

129 . . Athletix™ Products by Contec. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

146 . . GreensGroomer® WorldWide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC

128 . . Sports Laundry Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

143 . . BEAM CLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

122 . . GymWipes FORCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

109 . . Sports Tutor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

145 . . BigSigns.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

120 . . Infinity Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

105 . . Stahls’ Hotronix® (Clothing ID Label). . . . . . . . . . . 10

115 . . Bison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

103 . . KDM Electronics/Octasound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

101 . . Synthetic Surfaces Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

130 . . Blazer Athletic Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

141 . . M-F Athletic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

134 . . The Athletic Edge by Pivotal Health Solutions. . . . 54

111 . . Cabana Banners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

107 . . Matéflex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

117 . . Universal Fabric Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 110 . . VP Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

®

142 . . ClearSpan Fabric Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

127 . . New York Barbells of Elmira. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

118 . . Click Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

131 . . OakWood Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

133 . . Covermaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

140 . . Porter (Custom Graphics). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Products Directory Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

501 . . Aacer Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

606 . . Covermaster (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . . . . 63

560 . . Pivotal Health Solutions (modular taping stations).74

603 . . Aacer Flooring (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . . . 62

530 . . CoverSports (Grand Slam Fencing ). . . . . . . . . . 78

557 . . Pivotal Health Solutions (The Athletic Edge). . . . . 73

556 . . Accusplit (AX 725 Pro Memory Series). . . . . . . . . 68

535 . . CoverSports (GymGuard® Plus). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

525 . . Porter (1735 Competition Portable backstop). . . . 75

555 . . Accusplit (AX 740BL Pro Memory Series). . . . . . . 68

600 . . CoverSports (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . . . . . 62

604 . . Porter (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

521 . . American Public University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

531 . . Florida State University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

527 . . Porter (Powr-Steel Volleyball package). . . . . . . . . 75

™

507 . . American Sports Builders Assn.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

509 . . Future Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

540 . . Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

538 . . Antiwave Pool Products (Flipfloat). . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

602 . . GreensGroomer® WorldWide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

547 . . Robbins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

537 . . Antiwave Pool Products (lane lines) . . . . . . . . . . . 78

516 . . GymWipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

610 . . Robbins (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

517 . . Athletix Products (Disinfectant Wipes). . . . . . . . 77

536 . . Hibiclens (Molnlycke Health Care). . . . . . . . . . . . 77

503 . . Salsbury Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

™

®

515 . . Athletix Products (Equipment Cleaner Wipes). . . 77

546 . . Infinity Flooring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

559 . . Samson (football lockers). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

608 . . Beynon (Leaders in the Industry) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

514 . . Jaypro (ELITE portable backstops). . . . . . . . . . . . 75

528 . . Samson (Functional Training Rack Series). . . . . . 78

543 . . Beynon (PolyTurf SP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

605 . . Jaypro (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

552 . . Sound & Video Creations (Click Effects). . . . . . . . 74

548 . . Beynon Sports Surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

511 . . Jaypro (Safe-Pro Edge Padding). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

506 . . Spalding (divider curtains). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

542 . . BigSigns.com (building wraps). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

510 . . KDM Electronics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

513 . . Spalding (Helix™ Height Adjuster). . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

541 . . BigSigns.com (Dura-Mesh™banners). . . . . . . . . . 73

609 . . KDM Electronics (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . 63

601 . . Spalding (Leaders in the Industry) . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

512 . . Bison (Centerline Magic ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

544 . . M-F Athletic (catalog). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

502 . . Sports Laundry Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

549 . . Bison (IPI). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

545 . . M-F Athletic (hurdles). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

529 . . Sports Tutor (HomePlate). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

™

®

™

607 . . Bison (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

500 . . Mateflex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

526 . . Sports Tutor (Volleyball Tutor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

554 . . Blazer (hurdles). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

611 . . Mateflex (Leaders in the Industry). . . . . . . . . . . . 63

524 . . Stahls’ Hotronix® (Clothing ID Label). . . . . . . . . . . 78

553 . . Blazer (Inflate & Go) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

523 . . New York Barbells (TDS rubber bumper plates). . 79

532 . . Synthetic Surfaces Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

534 . . Cabana Banners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

520 . . New York Barbells (Titan Cross Fit Open Rack). . . 78

558 . . Tarkett Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

533 . . ClearSpan Fabric Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

550 . . OakWood Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

551 . . Universal Fabric Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

508 . . Continental Girbau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

539 . . Power Systems (Aqua Versa-Tube®). . . . . . . . . . . 78

505 . . VP Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

504 . . Covermaster® (COVERMATE II™). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

519 . . Perform Better (Extreme Half Rack). . . . . . . . . . . 78

518 . . Covermaster (Cross-Over Track Protector). . . . . . 68

522 . . Perform Better (Soft Toss Medicine Balls). . . . . . . 79

72 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

Gym Components Omni-Directional Sound

With a large space like a gym, reverberation can seriously affect clarity and speech intelligibility. KDM Electronics’ Octasound speakers offer a real advantage for voice and music. This product has four discrete horns that project sound in all directions to give truly projected, not reflected, sound. The large woofer radiates bass, and the speakers’ remarkable efficiency delivers clear, undistorted sound with minimal amplifier power. And they are built to withstand hits from balls, hockey pucks, and more.

KDM Electronics, Inc. • 800-567-6282 www.octasound.com

Circle No. 510

Stand Out

Cabana Banners offers top-quality custom championship banners, record boards, chair covers, scorer’s tables, and wall and floor murals. The company has made advancements in its digital printing to offer fresh and innovative designs. The digital series has a greater spectrum of bright, vivid colors, with excellent definition, and high image quality. From team pictures to realistic mascots, endless possibilities are available in dynamic, vivid, living color.

Cabana Banners • 800-697-3139 www.cabanabanners.com

Circle No. 534

Many universities, colleges, and sports organizations are improving their facilities by wrapping their bleacher tops with Dura-Mesh™ banners from BigSigns.com. Not only does this brand and promote their school and teams, but it makes a bold visual statement that can help attract top talent and underscore your home field advantage.

BigSigns.com • 800-790-7611 www.bigsigns.com

Circle No. 541

Build for Success

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 football practice facility, a gymnasium, arena, indoor soccer, or other structure, VP Buildings offers not only the design capability but also the flexibility and sophistication to fulfill your needs.

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

Circle No. 505

A Professional Look

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.

OakWood Sports is a premier custom wood locker builder, experienced in design, construction, delivery, and installation. Whether it’s a new build or renovation, the company handles locker needs from start to finish and beyond with LEED-compatible finishes, glues, and veneers. OakWood has completed more than 500 locker rooms since 1991, and uses this experience and knowledge to ensure visually stunning and highly durable locker systems. OakWood understands the construction requirements of athletic lockers and prides itself on applying that expertise for each customer’s needs.

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

OakWood Sports, Inc. • 517-321-6852 www.oakwoodsports.com

Enhanced Slip Resistance

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Circle No. 550

Design-Build Solutions

Meets Your Needs

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

Pivotal Health Solutions, Inc. • 800-627-2387 www.pivotalhealthsolutions.com Circle No. 557

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.

Make a Statement

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In 2012, Pivotal Health Solutions launched its latest brand, The Athletic Edge. As part of this introduction, the company unveiled a new line of lockers—including designs and product configurations made from wood, laminate, and steel. With comprehensive standard product offerings, coupled with innovative custom design services, The Athletic Edge offers lockers to meet any size or budget.

The AE design team can help you plan, design, and build the perfect locker room to meet your needs.

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 73

Testimonials

Gym Components Powerful Revenue Source

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 revenuegenerating opportunities.

Sound & Video Creations • 615-460-7330 www.clickeffects.com

Easily Clean and Disinfect Your Weightroom

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Quality and Durability

Founded in 1976, Samson Equipment has always provided some of the best in weight training equipment. Now Sampson is offering football lockers built from the same high-quality materials, with the same attention to detail, and outstanding durability. Samson offers a rare combination of both metal and wood infused into one, but also provides all metal lockers using high-quality, durable steel.

Samson Equipment Inc. • 800-4-SAMSON www.samsonequipment.com

Circle No. 559

Building Solutions

Universal Fabric Structures is an industry leader in the manufacturing of highquality, engineered, and cost-effective fabric building systems. With 30 years experience, UFS is more than a building manufacturer—it is a resource. Through the company’s expertise, UFS helps you navigate the challenges of creating an indoor sporting facility.

UFS offers solutions, and is ISO 9001-2008 certified.

Universal Fabric Structures, Inc. • 800-634-8368 www.ufsinc.com

Circle No. 551

Everyone knows that athlete trainers, strength coaches, and athletes have a lot to get done in a day—including taking care of weightroom equipment.

But Athletix Products™ makes that task easier with its Athletix Disinfectant Wipes.

These wipes are an easy-to-use product for athletes and strength conditioning professionals to clean and disinfect weight rooms and accessories. In just minutes, the Athletix Disinfectant Wipes protect your athletes by killing H1N1, MRSA, and many other organisms.

Coupled with Athletix Equipment Cleaner wipes, this two-step approach knocks out potential illnesses found in your facility and keeps equipment in working order.

The Equipment Cleaner wipes now come with 200 more wipes at no additional cost. Don’t forget to ask about the company’s Foam Hand Sanitizer.

Fits Any Budget

The Athletic Edge introduces modular taping stations to fit any size training room and any budget. The company’s high-quality hardwood or laminate stations are manufactured using dowel and glue construction for long lasting durability. AE modular systems allow you to customize the height, depth, seats, and custom graphics for any taping station.

Pivotal Health Solutions, Inc. • 800-627-2387 www.pivotalhealthsolutions.com 74 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

Circle No. 560

Athletix Products by Contec, Inc. 864-503-8333 www.athletixproducts.com

Basketball & Volleyball Equipment Eliminates Sagging

Jaypro’s Safe-Pro Edge Padding is one of the best products on the market.

It bolts easily to all 72-inch official glass backboards and is available in 16 vibrant colors. The form fit pad with pin style attachment eliminates sagging underneath the rim. It also meets all NCAA, High School, and FIBA specifications. Plus, this padding comes with a 10-year replacement warranty.

Jaypro Sports, LLC • 800-243-0533 www.jaypro.com

Circle No. 511

Bison’s new Centerline® Magic™ selfstoring, telescoping volleyball system is a patented one-of-a-kind system that eliminates problems with volleyball post storage and set-up without compromising quality or net tension.

Five high-tensile aluminum telescoping tubes lift and twist into position easily from a 32-inch-deep floor well that can be installed during gym construction or retrofitted into existing floors. Set-up and installation videos are available at www.youtube.com/bisoninc.

Circle No. 512

Fast Setup, Easy Storage

The American-made Porter 1735 Competition Portable backstop exceeds the demanding standards of professional play. This lean and mean unit is fast to move, quick to setup, and easy to store. It is available with eight- and 10-foot extensions to meet your needs for competition play. This backstop’s other features include Porter’s patented Torq-Flex ® 180 goal with adjustable 180 degree flex, Pro-Pad backboard padding, and customizable protective padding. There are fifteen powder coated chassis colors and optional LED perimeter lighting available, as well.

Porter Athletic Equipment • 888-277-7778 www.porterathletic.com

Circle No. 525

At Your Service

Both the Gold and Silver models of the Volleyball Tutor can vary ball trajectory— producing any desired set or pass—while delivering serves at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. The Silver model’s 5.5-foothigh release point is perfect for sets, and it features a separate dial to control the amount of topspin and underspin on serves. It can also be angled to practice dig drills. The Gold model can automatically throw six volleyballs at intervals ranging from five to 20 seconds. The unit is completely portable, and is available with either AC or battery power. Volleyball Tutor models start at under $1,000.

Sports Tutor • 800-448-8867 www.sportsmachines.com

Porter Athletic’s Powr-Steel Volleyball package is a premier equipment choice for competitive volleyball programs. This package features Powr-Steel End Standards; Porter’s Competition Volleyball Net, known for superior tension; protective pads in a variety of fourteen colors; durable net antennae; and a Fair Height Net Chain, for exact setup every time. With standards made in the USA, the PowrSteel Volleyball package is your answer for style, function, and affordability.

Porter Athletic Equipment • 888-277-7778 www.porterathletic.com

Storage solutions

Bison, Inc. • 800-247-7668 www.bisoninc.com

Stylish and Functional

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Smooth Movement

New to the market, Spalding’s Helix™ Height Adjuster has infinite backboard adjustments between eight- to 10-feet on wall-braced and ceiling-suspended backstops. The nylon bushing provides smooth movement with the same rigidity of a system without a height adjuster. Spalding offers two different models, enabling you to mount a 72-inch fan or conversion backboard to your existing system. Spalding Helix™ Height Adjuster’s spring-loaded technology makes changing your play height a slam dunk.

Spalding • 800-435-3865 www.spaldingequipment.com

Circle No. 513

Easy Setup and Storage

Jaypro’s ELITE series of adjustable portable backstops are the company’s best competition goals. There are three different size extension models to choose from (96 -, 66 -, and 54 inch), and they fold down to a compact storage position—and they’re designed to fit through a standard double-size doorway. These units are adjustable in six-inch increments, from eight to 10 feet from the floor. And springassisted one-person set-up helps with storage. Jaypro Sports strives for innovation, performance, and commitment with its products.

Jaypro Sports, LLC • 800-243-0533 www.jaypro.com

Circle No. 514

New Products

Ceiling mounted backstops, gym divider curtains, gym floor covers, and windscreens are now available from Bison’s new division, IPI by Bison. This product line was previously offered by Institutional Products, Inc. of Indianapolis, Ind.—IPI has served the gymnasium construction and renovation market since 1975. The new partnership expands the range of basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, and other team sports equipment that Bison has offered for more than 25 years.

IPI by Bison • 800-637-7968 www.ipibybison.com

Circle No. 549 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 75

Case Study

Redefining a Field House

By Mary Helen Sprecher

T

he term, ‘field house,’ might bring to mind a facility where a basketball team practices foul shots, students run on an indoor track, or where wrestling practice is held. But then there’s the Richmond Olympic Oval, in Richmond, British Columbia—and it just might defy and exceed every definition of a field house.

The Oval was originally built to house long-track speed skating during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

These days, it welcomes athletes and community members to participate in a wealth of activities.

According to Scott Huth, a Sports Specialty Contractor of Centaur Products (Burnaby, British Columbia), the Oval was actually an upgrade of an existing field house. The work added square footage as well as multiple new uses for the facility. “This remarkable project included the installation of 73,000 sq. feet of spike-proof multi-sport flooring for the Oval’s Track Zone,” Huth says. “It is a unique training element, found nowhere else in Canada.”

Centaur used Robbins Flooring’s Pulastic as its surface, making this facility the location of the world’s largest continuous Pulastic SP surface. In addition to its synthetic flooring, the facility has more than 42,000 square feet of hardwood sports flooring—including six basketball, six volleyball, and 14 volleyball courts made of Robbins All-Star Plus, Bio-Channel Classic, and Bio-Cushion LP systems.

With all of its uses, the Oval required complex engineering and construction to ensure its flexibility. “The area where the Oval ice had previously existed needed to remain removable in case the facility was to hold another long-track speed skating event,” Huth says. “This meant the new sections of the flooring that had to go on top of the refrigerated concrete slab needed to be removable—conducting an installation on a sub-floor surface composed of a refrigerated ice slab posed some unique challenges.”

The Richmond Olympic Oval was completed in September 2010 and continues to welcome everyone from elite athletes to local community members. The facility has also earned the respect of those in the sports facility construction industry—in the American Sports Builders Association’s annual awards program, the Olympic Oval was named Indoor Multi-Purpose Field House of the Year.

The Oval offers its users several amenities including four FIBA regulation basketball courts, seven FIVB regulation volleyball courts, and three FIFA regulation futsal (indoor soccer) fields.

It also houses eight badminton courts; a 200-meter five-lane training track and a 110-meter five-lane sprint track; two operating Olympic-size ice rinks; and an indoor rowing and paddling center.

These honors were announced at ASBA’s Technical Meeting, recently held in Orlando, Florida. Entries were scored individually based on considerations such as layout and design, site work, drainage, base construction, surface, amenities, innovation, and overall impression. Winning entries were those whose cumulative scores meet or exceed the standard.

It has hosted yoga classes, concerts, spinning, and multiple other events with 16 table tennis set-ups, six meeting rooms, a lounge, a high-performance training center, and a 23,000-foot fitness center. Plus, the facility was built to attain LEED gold status, and has since achieved LEED silver status.

Mary Helen Sprecher is the technical writer for the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the trade association for companies in the athletic facility design, construction and supply industry. In addition, she is managing editor of Sports Destination Management Magazine, which covers the sports tourism industry.

American Sports Builders Association | 866-501-2722 | sportsbuilders.org

76 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

FINANCE SOLUTIONS TERMS UP TO 7 YEARS RATES AS LOW AS 0%

fabric structures

LIMITED TIME OFFER. SUBJECT TO 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.

Circle No. 142

Anti-Microbial Prevention Go Beyond Cleaning

Athletix Products Equipment Cleaner Wipes are non-alcohol based, easy to use, effective, and safe for vinyl, leather, chrome, foam grips, rubber, painted surfaces, metal, and electronic displays. Athletix Equipment Products Cleaning Wipes go beyond just cleaning—they also neutralize odors that tend to build up on soft surfaces. In addition, utilizing nanopolymer technology, they lay down a protective barrier against odor penetration.

Athletix Products by Contec, Inc. • 864-503-8333 www.athletixproducts.com Circle No. 515

Hibiclens® is a liquid antimicrobial skin soap that bonds to the skin and provides up to six hours of continuous killing action. Hibiclens is proven to kill many harmful bacteria (including MRSA), viruses, and fungi. Washing with Hibiclens before contact with contaminated skin and surfaces will almost eliminate the risk of transfer. Hibistat ® wipes do not require water and offer the same continuous killing action (up to six hours) found in Hibiclens.

Protects Against Pathogens

Molnlycke Health Care • 800-843-8497 www.hibiclens.com

The GymWipes product line offers full-spectrum protection and cost-effective solutions to safely clean and sanitize all fitness equipment surfaces. Bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal, the EPAregistered 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

Kills Harmful Bacteria

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Circle No. 536

Quick and Convenient

Athletix Disinfectant Wipes are a quick and convenient way for athletes and trainers to disinfect surfaces in your fitness facility.

Most effective when used on hard non-porous surfaces, Athletix Disinfectant Wipes are premoistened, ready to use, and ideal for disinfecting athletic and gym equipment, cycling equipment, weights, yoga mats, fitness balls, benches, lockers, and more.

Athletix Products by Contec, Inc. • 864-503-8333 www.athletixproducts.com Circle No. 517 AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 77

More Products Great Lanes

Tag-Free, Hassle-Free

Competitive and recreational Antiwave lane lines are available in 17 standard colors with custom color capabilities. They come in 4.75-inch and six-inch sizes for competitive use, and a 2.25-inch size for recreational use—in custom and standard lengths.

All lane lines come with a supertensioner attached, and they’re covered against breakage or defect by a three-year warranty. Antiwave offers some of the fastest lead times in the industry.

Never lose your property again with Stahls’ Hotronix® Identification label system. The tag-free, hassle-free identification system allows you to easily label team uniforms and equipment. The soft, non-irritating labels are perfect for pants, jerseys, warm-ups, and more. Use heat-applied garment labels for practice clothing. Equipment can be labeled with pressure sensitive labels on the same system. Eliminate lost clothing and save thousands of dollars each season with this system. Call Stahl for a free sample.

Antiwave Pool Products • 866-736-2183 www.antiwave.com

Stahls’ Hotronix® • 800-727-8520 www.clothingidlabel.com

Circle No. 537

Quality and Performance

Looking for quality weight equipment at an affordable price? Perform Better is introducing its PB Extreme Half Rack. This rack comes complete with weight storage for both Olympic and Bumper plates, safety spot arms, bar holders, hook plates with a safety lock system, a knurled P-grip pull-up bar, and band attachments. The adjustable pull-up bar allows you to make your rack 7.5, 8.0, or 8.5 feet high. This rack is constructed of 11-gauge, 3” x 3” steel uprights and is made in the USA. Check out Perform Better’s 2013 catalog for more information.

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

Circle No. 519

The CL95790 Titan Cross Fit Open Rack is designed and built for the most intense cross fit enthusiasts. The rack features a one-inch adjustment on the “j” hooks, upper, and lower band holders. The one- and two-inch diameter chin-up bars are mounted on the rear of the rack. Transverse and iron cross pull-up attachments are mounted on the front of the rack.

Weight storage pins are located on the lower cross beam.

The CL95790 Titan Cross Fit Open Rack carries the TDS lifetime guarantee.

New York Barbells of Elmira, Inc. • 800-446-1833 www.newyorkbarbells.com Circle No. 520

Flexible Programs

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.

78 FEB/MAR 2013 | AthleticManagement.com

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 effectively. The new 111FTR Rack Series is only from Samson Equipment.

Samson Weight Training Equipment • 800-472-6766 www.samsonequipment.com Circle No. 528

Splash of Resistance

Built for Intensity

American Public University • 703-334-3870 www.studyatAPU.com/athletic-mgmt

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The Aqua Versa-Tube® provides a solution for performing resistance exercises in the water. It includes two contoured plastic handles, which are vented for comfort. Latex tubing is powder-free and treated to resist the damaging effects of chlorine. Available in six levels and in 48- or 60-inch lengths, there is a solution for everyone. Prices start at $13.95.

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

Circle No. 539

Ideal Ball Field Fencing

Regardless of the size of your ball field, CoverSports’ newly patented Grand Slam Fencing™ product line clearly establishes the boundaries and keeps the ball in the yard. The one-piece product is perfect for baseball and softball. Along with its easy installation and removal, it is durable, soft, and easy to handle. The Grand Slam Fencing is available in red, blue, and green—and it comes in four- or five-foot heights (green only). The distance banners are sewn to the fence, while foul pole kits and ground sockets are optional.

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

Circle No. 530

More Products Get an Edge with FSU

Interested in advancing your coaching career or breaking into this highly rewarding field? Then the Florida State University Graduate Certificate in Coaching is a promising place to start.

The program, which requires 12 credit hours over four online courses, provides advanced coaching education to give you an edge in this extremely competitive field. Visit FSU online for program requirements, admissions, cost, and course descriptions.

Easy Slam

PB Extreme Soft Toss Medicine Balls are new at Perform Better. These medicine balls have a soft outer shell, which makes them easy to catch, throw, and slam. They are strong enough to withstand even the most intense workouts. Each ball is 14 inches in diameter, which allows for consistent exercise movement at all intensities. These PB Extreme Soft Toss Medicine Balls are only available through Perform Better. Contact Perform Better to request your free catalog today.

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

Circle No. 522

Fills Cross Fit Needs

Florida State University 850-644-4298 www.coe.fsu.edu/sportcoaching Circle No. 531

TDS is introducing its new line of rubber bumper plates. The plates come in 10-, 15-, 25-, 35-, and 45-pound weights. A compatible 28.5-millimeter bar with power lifting and Olympic lift knurling completes the bumper plate package. The bar is not center knurled. These plates and bar fill the needs of the cross fit community.

Any Weather is Ideal

New York Barbells of Elmira, Inc. • 800-446-1833 www.newyorkbarbells.com

Regardless of the season, you don’t have to wait for “ideal” weather to install synthetic turf fields and other recreational surfaces with NORDOT® Adhesives. From freezing temperatures to hot desert-like climates, installing with NORDOT® Adhesives gets the job done faster and easier than with other adhesives. Pictured is a cold weather installation, with NORDOT® Adhesive being poured into a glue box and dispensed on seaming tape to make a long seam.

Synthetic Surfaces Inc. 908-233-6803 www.nordot.com Circle No. 532

It Folds, It Floats

The Flipfloat is a folding, floating water polo goal. This competitionsize goal folds flat for storage, and it’s very easy to handle with a total weight of 85 pounds. Made from powdercoated aluminum, it is covered against breakage or defect by a three-year warranty. A net is included, and some assembly is required. This goal is great for meeting your budget and space needs.

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Programmable Pitching

The HomePlate pitching machine is the first programmable pitching machine designed for both batting cage and on-field use. Users can store up to eight different pitches—including fastballs up to 90 miles per hour, curveballs, change-ups, and more—in eight different programs, with only seven seconds between pitches. The programmed pitches can be thrown sequentially for specific hitting drills, randomly for game conditions, or in a way that simulates an opposing pitcher. The HomePlate features a patented three-wheel pitching mechanism for greater pitch accuracy, along with an 80-ball auto-feed system for $6,995.

Sports Tutor • 800-448-8867 www.sportsmachines.com

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Quality Training Products

Founded in 1986, award-winning equipment provider Power Systems continues to make a real difference in its 27th year as an industry standard for exceptional service and quality. Power Systems’ new 2013 catalogs are now available. The Sports Training edition contains 73 pages of top-quality training products. The Fitness Training edition contains 106 pages of traditional and innovative equipment solutions.

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

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Antiwave Pool Products 866-736-2183 www.antiwave.com Circle No. 538 Circle No. 143

AthleticManagement.com | FEB/MAR 2013 79

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A blog serving high school and college athletic directors

• Special digital supplements • A searchable database of articles

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Transform Your Facility

Amplify Your Brand

If you are looking for big graphics for your stadium or facility that make a big impact, BigSigns.com is your huckleberry.

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 knows how to make your brand stand out. Call us or visit our website today.

we amplify your brand Circle No. 145

800 790 7611

SWEEP GROOM STERILIZE At GreensGroomer® WorldWide, we believe that synthetic safety, playability, and aesthetics are a result of smart execution — using the right methods and equipment which saves time and reduces repair costs without sacrificing these objectives. Continually maintaining and improving the surface characteristics is impacted greatly by time and the amount of it one has available to affect the variables.

The GreensGroomer line of synthetic turf care products has never been more relevant for today’s infill turf systems by providing for these efficiencies through simple product design focused on low mechanical complexity and high reliability.

A regular maintenance routine using the GreensGroomer Synthetic Turf Care System extends the life of the surface and provides for maximum consistency and safety. With the addition of the GreenZapr®, field sanitation can now be an easy and convenient process with an unbeatable cost per application, as low as $25.*

LitterKat® Sweeper with Tow-Behind Magnet Fast, Easy Removal of Surface Debris Magnet Removes Unwanted Ferrous Objects

Synthetic Sports Turf Groomer with Spring Tine Rake Stands Turf Fibers Up & Relieves Compaction

GreenZapr® with UVC Eradication Powerful UVC Microbe Eradication Simple, Cost-Effective, No Chemicals

*The estimated $25 application cost is calculated from the original equipment cost, based on three applications per week for the life of the bulbs.

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greensgroomer.com

© 2013 GreensGroomer WorldWide, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents Pending

Insures a Level Playing Surface