AEMA

AEMA Convention Preview

May 16, 2019 By Jeff Zogg

The 45^th annual Athletic Equipment Managers Association Convention begins June 3 so we asked a few District Directors and other officials about what they are looking forward to in Indianapolis.

Sam Trusner, AEMA Office Manager tells us there will be about 500 Equipment Managers at this year’s convention – similar to crowd sizes in the past.

“The biggest thing this year, and most years, is the standardization of equipment and safety,” Sam says.

For years, the focus has been on football helmets, and that will continue.

“Helmet issues change daily,” Sam says. “I think it is changing for the better and we need to get the information out. Manufacturers, everyone, are doing a better job and providing a better product and now we have people involved — chemists, engineers, and neurosurgeons — who are helping get a better product.”

Sam, a member of AEMA for 34 years, said NOCSAE (National Organizing Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) officals will be talking about standards being established for football shoulder pads—a new endeavor.

Officials for NAERA (National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association) and from the NCAA Rules Committee also are slated to present.

Equipment Managers Certification Exam

Plus, the exam.

AEMA will sit 104 Equipment Managers for the Certification Exam. About 70 percent pass, Sam says.

“It’s important because it raises the awareness of what we do and how important this job is,” Sam says. “Almost every school now says you must be certified or get certified within a year to be an Equipment Manager there.”

Helmet Tracker offers an Exam scholarship that reimburses one Equipment Manager the cost of the exam and the study book. (It's not too late to apply – and it's easy).

Convention Timing

Another issue that may rise is the importance and timing of the AEMA Convention itself.

“There are so many football camps and stuff going on that it becomes increasingly hard to schedule a time of year when everyone is free,” Sam says.

Budget restrictions and the increasing popularity of AEMA District meetings, as well as NCAA conference meetings, also play a part.

Indianapolis

Still, this year’s AEMA Convention in Indianapolis will be popular.

“There is always something going on there,” Sam says. “It’s probably my favorite place to have convention and it’s right in our biggest district. It’s probably the most centralized location for the majority of our membership that we have.”

AEMA President Clifton Perry

Clifton is busy preparing the Princeton Women’s Lacrosse team for the quarterfinals and wrapping up the baseball season, among other tasks.

“Every convention is a little bit different. I enjoy going to convention more because of the camaraderie and the people I don’t see throughout the year,” he says. ”It’s a great chance to reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while”

“Sometimes the convention is more about the personal catchup times than the professional connections, but it’s all important,” Clifton says.

Vendors

He looks forward to meeting with vendors and exploring new products.

“Some of the vendors the last few years are doing a great job of developing new things that make our lives easier,” he says. “There were a few last year that really kinda blew me away. I bought them as soon as I saw them and I don’t really do things like that.”

He said his goals for the AEMA is to be as transparent as possible. “This has been the most challenging year I’ve ever had on the board of directors.

“This is my 12^th year on the board and I don’t think people understand what it takes behind the scenes.”

For most AEMA members and those who attend the convention, Clifton says it’s important to continue to learn. `

“The best thing as professionals is that we need to stay current to make the changes we need to make in our equipment rooms to be the best we can be.”

Helmets for WLAX and Soccer

For example?

“I like the fact we are talking about wearing helmets in women’s lacrosse and in soccer, but at what point does it become so expensive that administrators start thinking about dropping the sport?”

Kathy Saltis, District I Director and Westfield State Equipment Room Manager

“The best thing about the convention is seeing other people and comparing notes. I am not a traveling Equipment Manager and many DIII Equipment Managers don’t travel with their teams, so at convention we get to hear about what is going on in the rest of the equipment world, see new products, and hear about new ways of doing things.”

Being an Equipment Manager at a smaller school, Kathleen says connecting with Equipment Managers from similarly-sized schools is valuable.

“By intentionally networking you learn new tricks on how to do things and how the rest of the world operates,” she says. “In DIII, the range of the people who work this job is huge. Some have training as a custodian, or groundskeeper, or are former coaches.

That’s why certification is so important. It gives us more credibility.”

She told us she looks forward to exploring Indy and its many monuments.

Mike Royster, AEMA Executive Director and Assistant Athletic Director of Athletics Facilities and Equipment at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

“Equipment guys and girls don’t get a lot of time off so when you get some time away its good to relax a little bit and we try to make the convention a relaxing atmosphere,” he says.

“We have good vendors coming – I think we have about 115 or so,” he says.

Another issue on everyone’s mind is the NFL helmet testing.

Kevin Jurenko, District III Director and Stetson University Director of Equipment

“This is my first convention as a district director and I’ll be going to some of those AEAM meetings for leadership,” he says.

“But I will definitely check out the vendor booths at the convention – I make out a list of who to see.”

As with most everyone going to convention, Kevin looks forward to connecting with colleagues and seeing some of Indianapolis.

“I will try to see the Colts facility and make it out to Victory Field to see a game.” The Indians, the AAA ballclub of the Pittsburg Pirates, play in a downtown facility within walking distance of the convention. They have a home game Sunday, June 2, but are out of town the rest of the convention time.

Kerry Connor Jr., District IV Director, Director of Equipment Operations for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

“I started going to the AEMA convention in 2004 and as soon as I arrived I said to myself – I cannot miss another one.”

Kerry said the connections he’s made with other Equipment Managers form a cornerstone for the convention.

“Every year I look forward to seeing familiar faces and guys I admire and respect. There are people I like to hang out with and grab a beer and tell stories about what has happened with us.”

He also enjoys meeting vendors and finding out what the next thing or service is that will help him do the job more effectively.

“The last time we were in Indy, I didn’t get a chance to see the Colts’ Lucas Oil stadium or visiting the Indianapolis 500 Museum, so I hope to see those this year.”

Chris Dountas, District IX Director, Stanford Assistant Athletic Director-Equipment Manager

“This will be my 17th convention,” he says. “I look forward to going every year to the classes. The CEU credit classes are important and there is a good lineup this year.”

Chris is presenting a workshop on International Travel with Rob Jones, Assistant Athletics Director, Equipment Operations at UC Davis.

“He hired me as an intern about 15 years ago, so it’s going to be a big deal for me to present with him,” Chris says.

It’s those connections that form the highlights of the convention for most Equipment Managers.

“Everyone is so busy all the time. You might go to your own conference gathering, but seeing all the old friends and see what they are up to and connect – that’s one of the great things about convention.”

“I tell everyone that going to the AEMA convention is a great way to meet people. Our industry is very tight knit, it’s personal.”

Taxing Coaches Apparel

Hot buttons this year?

“There is a lot of talk about the public and state institutions having to charge sales tax and how to go about charging the coaches and staffs,” Chris says. “That will change everyone’s accounting.

Helmet Tracker wrote about the issue last month.

“And, helmets are always a big time discussion and this year the shoulder pads could be a big deal as the NFL is talking about announcing a shoulder pad ranking like they are doing for the helmets.”

Troy Jepsen, District VI Director and Head Equipment Manager at Drake

“I look forward to visiting the Adidas facility and to get a handle on the ins and outs of their operation so that when I need something it will help me understand how to do my job better.”

The Bulldogs are an Adidas school.

“I also look forward to visiting with friends and colleagues — to see what is going on and catch up on their lives,” he says. “I look forward to that.”

Troy says those connections are what make the AEMA special.

“Equipment Managers are one big family. We take care of each other.”

He says the personal and professional connections become quite intricate by the time an Equipment Manager has been to 20 conventions, like he has. But it’s just as important for young Equipment Managers to begin to build their friendships and networks as well.

“It’s never too early to start.”

Future Conventions

2020– Fort Worth, TX
May 31-June 4
2021– Atlanta, GA
June 6-June 10
2022– Las Vegas, NV
June 5-June 9

Introducing 3 more Helmet Tracker AEMA Scholarship candidates

May 2, 2019 By Jeff Zogg

Helmet Tracker supports the men and women who take the most important step in their Equipment Manager journey by tackling the AEMA (Athletic Equipment Managers Association) Certification Exam.

Each year, Helmet Tracker awards one Equipment Manager who passes the exam our scholarship. The scholarship reimburses the Equipment Manager for the cost of the exam and the study book.

Here are the three latest scholarship applicants

Rodney Pack

From coast to coast, Rodney chases his dream of becoming a major sport team General Manager.

The next step: AEMA Certification.

Rodney, now in Seattle, plans to take and pass the exam in Indianapolis, then find a job in an equipment room while he works to finish his masters degree.

Rodney earned his Sport Management degree from George Mason where he was first introduced to being an Equipment Manager for the Patriots.

“I worked mostly as a men’s basketball team equipment manager as part of an internship, then for two years I worked a paid position,” he said. “Then, it was off to Indianapolis.”

Triple A Indians

Rodney worked with the Triple A Indianapolis Indians in inventory management and organization, mostly in their merchandising department.

After that, it was a stint with Cal Ripken Baseball, traveling with a youth baseball clinic team for a season from Florida to West Virginia. The Ripken team set up shop numerous times to put kids from 5 to 12 years old through several stations. Rodney worked them all.

He is now working toward earning his masters degree in Business Analytics from Grand Canyon University.

Rodney initially was interested in athletic training—so it’s always been about staying around sports—since he competed in football and track at Thomas Dale High in Richmond, Virginia. But studying to be an athletic trainer wasn’t for him. He shifted his focus to Sports Management.

Once he earned his degree at George Mason, he worked at the Virginia Beach Fieldhouse, organizing inventory, managing, and helping to run the football and soccer programs.

Seattle – “Incredible work ethic…”

Now on the other coast, Rodney works in Seattle, Washington in a program called the After-School All-Stars. Founded by Arnold Schwarenegger, After-School All-Stars provide an extended learning day for middle school students in low income areas.

“He has a incredible work ethic, is organized with his assigned projects and tasks, and is passionate about our mission to provide comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and in life,” writes Ranna J. Daud, the Executive Director of After-School All-Stars in Seattle.

“As the Operations Coordinator, he is responsible for general office management, HR paperwork and onboarding of new employees, coding of expenses, assistance with researching funding opportunities, and volunteer management,” she wrote. “He has been a welcome addition to our team and I look forward to seeing his growth and professional development with our organization.”

AEMA Certification

Rodney learned about the AEMA certification from a friend and as his interest grew, he began to poke around, looking at job openings.

“Most said you must be certified, so that’s what I am going to do in Indianapolis – get certified,” Rodney told us. “My equipment experience isn’t recent, but I will get my foot in the door, then make the moves I need to make.”

In May, his days will be spent studying for the exam while not working and in between episodes of Game of Thrones.

Jason Seidman

Jason loves the Colorado Springs area, but was not associated with the military until he landed a job at the Air Force Academy.

“I had an internship at Drake in Des Moines (Iowa) then moved into a full-time job there,” he said by way of introduction.

We asked him to back up a bit and learned that he played hockey and baseball at Coronado High School in the Springs. Down the road, he earned a degree in Sport Management from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2015.

High School Equipment Manager Goal

Jason said he had a goal of being an Equipment Manager since high school.

“It’s something I’m good at. I’m very organized and pay attention to detail.”

He worked the visiting clubhouse for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (who are now in San Antonio). Then had an internship with USA Hockey.

“I loved it – I loved it all.”

Sky Sox to Drake to Academy

He returned to the Sky Sox and worked in the clubhouse for two years, then landed the unpaid internship at Drake where he worked with all sports.

“It was tough,” he said, but worthwhile. He said he learned gobs from Head Equipment Manager Troy Jeps0n. “You have to make sacrifices.”

Troy had worked in the equipment room for Air Force Academy Associate Athletic Director of Operations Dan Siermine and when a job opened up there, it was a good fit for Jason.

“My three main sports are men’s and women’s soccer and men’s lacrosse. I also support fencing, water polo, boxing, men’s and women’s gymnastics, and the spirit squad (cheer and dance team),” Jason said.

Equipment Managers Exam

Jason will take the AEMA Certification Exam in Indy next month.

“It’s important to be certified. The AEAM is a great organization,” he said. “I went to convention last summer in Phoenix and it was a great experience for me.”

Dan Siermine has confidence that Jason will pass the exam.

“I know Jason will do tremendous on his exam. He is a very bright spot in the future of the AEMA and the equipment profession,” he wrote.

“deserving, loyal, hard-working”

“I can think of no individual more deserving than Jason to be awarded the Helmet Tracker AEMA Certification Scholarship,” Dan wrote. “Jason is a loyal, conscientious and hard-working employee. His coaches and athletes have complete confidence in him. He goes over and beyond the call of duty for all his sports.”

Elijah Boswell

This Elijah’s third season in the equipment room at the University of Idaho. He will finish his degree in Geography next semester.

“Eli Boswell is an up-and-coming equipment manager with passion and drive,” wrote Anthony Castro, Assistant Athletic Director for Equipment Operations at the University of Idaho. “He joined our Idaho team as a Football equipment manager spring of ‘16.”

As important as knowing the equipment and how to care for it, knowing how to interact with others is also critical for an Equipment Manager.

“… learning, dependable, super leader…”

“Eli has come in with an open mind and is learning how to deal with the complex make-up and the demands of equipment management. Eli is responsible, along with dependable and is becoming a super leader by managing and guiding other student workers/managers. He leads by example by continuously providing good customer service, cooperation and respect amongst staff, athletes, coaches, and everyone,” Anthony wrote.

Eli played varsity football and threw the shot put and discus for the track team at North Salem High School in Salem, Oregon.

Idaho Vandals

When he got to Idaho, he heard about the jobs in the equipment room and went after it. An unofficial tryout during Spring ball lead to a position as a student manager.

“When I visited here, I just fell in love with Moscow,” he said. It’s not too big or too small.

“I love it and have had an absolute blast.”

Backup plan

Though he plans to earn his masters degree in urban and regional planning, that’s a backup plan.

“I love being around sports. Experiencing the game-day atmosphere and traveling with the team is a great experience and the people I work with are just fantastic!” he said.

“This is an awesome profession.”

Equipment Managers Exam next month

Eli will take the AEAM Certification Exam in Indianapolis next month.

“Being an Equipment Manager is becoming a more respected and well known profession,” Eli said. “Ill be looking for a GA job and now – many schools require AEMA certification.”

After earning a masters degree, he hopes to stay in the equipment room somewhere and work his way up to run his own program someday.

When he’s not studying or working in the equipment room, you’ll find Eli taking scenic walks with his girlfriend or relaxing with movies, football, or video games. “I do try to get around to reading, too,” he quipped.

Apply Today

Planning to take the AEMA Certification Exam in Indianapolis next month? It’s not too late to apply for our scholarship. Just fill out the form here and we’ll walk you through the rest.

Southern Miss Asst. Equipment Manager wins Scholarship

July 25, 2018 By Jeff Zogg

Harley Warren, Assistant Athletic Equipment Manager for the Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi, earned and won Helmet Tracker’s 2018 AEMA Certification Exam Scholarship.

“That is fantastic!” said Harley when we called to tell him. “I paid for it myself and I was so stressed about it. Thank you.”

Harley and every Helmet Tracker Scholarship candidate this year passed the Athletic Equipment Manager’s Association Certification Exam. 100 percent! We extend our congratulations.

Certified EQMs Matter

“The importance of safety in sports is in the forefront right now. Everyone wants to provide the safest environment possible,” Sam Trusner, AEMA Office Manager told us recently. “The AEAM Certified Equipment Managers are the ones who know the equipment. They know how to fit the new, technologically advanced helmets, and have the knowledge needed.”

Sam said more and more colleges and universities are requiring their Equipment Managers to be certified, or earn certification within a year of hiring.

“Certification tells you this person can be an Equipment Manager at any level and they know what they are doing. Certification with the AEMA is not sport-specific, but covers every sport.”

Sam tells us that 82 of the 95 men and women who took the exam at the Phoenix convention last month passed.

“Being certified puts you into a network of the most knowledgeable people in the sports equipment and maintenance industry,” he said.

Equipment Managers – Noticed by everyone, seen by few

Here at Helmet Tracker we find ways to connect with and support Equipment Managers. Our products make the work of an Equipment Manager easier, more efficient, and better organized. Our AEMA Certification Exam Scholarship repays one Equipment Manager the cost of taking the exam and the cost of the manual. Candidates must submit a short recommendation letter, photo, and be interviewed by Helmet Tracker. Then, they must pass the test. After that, it's a random draw. Sam pulled Harley's name out of a Chicago Bears helmet late last week.

“I was very relieved that I found out I passed the test,” Harley told us earlier this week. “It took a lot longer to hear about the results than I thought it would and I was starting to worry that I failed it.”

“It feels good now and no one can really question me about what I know—this proves that I know what I am doing.”

What Harley is doing this week is unpacking hundreds of boxes from Adidas. He assists Patrick Stewart, Assistant Athletic Director for Equipment Operations, with football, and works directly with all soccer, track, and tennis teams.

He tells us that once the Golden Eagles figure out their QB for the season, they will contend. “We are young and we are fast!”

More here

Read about Harley’s support of Helmet Bowl here.

Read our story about Harley’s AEMA Scholarship candidacy below.

You can already apply for the Helmet Tracker 2019 AEMA Certification Exam Scholarship here if you plan to take the exam between now and July 2019. The AEMA 2019 Convention is in Indianapolis June 2-9.

Meet Helmet Tracker Equipment Manager Scholarship Candidate Harley Warren

April 7, 2018 By Jeff Zogg (Edit)

Harley Warren’s card says he is the Assistant Athletic Equipment Manager at Southern Mississippi, but he serves as a Golden Eagles ambassador wherever he goes.

Helmet Bowl I

Harley sent Helmet Tracker an updated Golden Eagle helmet design at least a half dozen times during the 2017 inaugural Helmet Bowl I season. He led the team and others to vote Southern Mississippi to an early lead in the Conference USA championship.

“This is the perfect year for us. It is the first year in six years we’ve changed our helmets a bunch. The fans love seeing the different looks, and we get the votes!” he told us in November.

The Golden Eagles were poised to make a deep run in the National Championship bracket and didn’t disappoint. They demolished the Southern Connecticut Owls in the first round, then handily dismissed the Southeastern Savage Storm. For the South Region championship, they faced a Kennesaw State Owl helmet that suddenly had a powerful following and lost just two steps away from the championship. Harley says that won’t happen again.

“I loved the National Championship bracket,” he said. “We’ll be even more active for the next one!”

Equipment Manager – Dream Job

Harley long admits his admiration for the Golden Eagles program and calls working there his dream job. His first job, being a teacher, wasn’t suited for him and he quickly altered his route and found success.

He got his start in the equipment room when a coach discovered a young desire in Harley and his twin brother Michael to walk the sidelines, call the plays. He suggested the duo start in the equipment room.

They both enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coach Community College and began learning the ropes of the Equipment Manager. Michael now teaches in a nearby middle school and coaches football, soccer, and track.

Harley, meanwhile, transferred to Southern Miss and began to build his career.

“My Dad was always a football fan, and we grew up going to Southern Miss games all the time. He was a big Brett Farve fan.”

He worked as a student equipment manager and earned a degree in sports coaching/education with a history minor. “It didn’t take me long to figure out I didn’t want to teach.”

After an internship with the New Orleans Voodoo in the Arena League, then with the NFL Saints, he was offered a graduate assistant spot at Southern Miss and took it.

“Then I got hired full time. I was finally getting paid!” Harley said. “I like all of the behind the scene stuff – getting everything ready, working with uniform designs – I like all that.”

New “Hobby”

A little less than a year ago, Harley and his wife welcomed their first child into the family, a daughter.

“I suppose that’s my hobby now—being at home, being a dad.”

When not at home, he enjoys being in the equipment room and serving as an Equipment Manager. Someday, he says, he may end up in coaching, but even if that happens, working in the equipment room gives him special insight and knowledge.

“Even in high school, the coaches need to be knowledgeable about this stuff, and my work here would allow me to bring something else to the table other guys may not.”

Equipment Manager Certification

Harley knows that the Athletic Equipment Management Association certification is important for his career and plans to take the exam in June at the AEMA Convention in Phoenix, Arizona.

He has the support of his family—both at home and at work.

“Harley has worked for us as a student starting in 2011 and progressed through a GA and now the Assistant, he has always demonstrated a love for equipment managing,” writes Patrick Stewart, the Golden Eagles’ Assistant Athletic Director of Equipment Operations. “He has good relations with coaches, and staff and completes his projects in a timely manner.”

Stewart is in his 24^th year at Southern Mississippi.

“I feel like Harley will be a good candidate to continue in this position for a very long time with his even temper and laid back way of everyday life.”

AEMA Scholarship

Harley now joins the candidates for Helmet Tracker’s AEMA Scholarship. The scholarship reimburses the winning candidate the exam and exam book fee.

Many colleges and universities require AEMA certification for Equipment Managers, others prefer it. Some foot the bill for the exam, and others leave that to the individual.

Last year, Michael Dryer at the University of Nevada won the scholarship. However, Damien Garnett, Assistant Athletic Director of Equipment at Nevada, asked Helmet Tracker to pass it on as the Wolfpack had paid for Michael’s exam. We did, and Eddie Hardin, now the Assistant to the Director of Equipment Operations at Tennessee State University, received the reimbursement.

“I am grateful,” Eddie told us at the time. “It means a lot going from an intern to my first real job—having bills to pay!”

Harley will take the exam at the Athletic Equipment Managers Association convention in Phoenix.

AEMA Salary Survey reveals Surprises

July 6, 2018 By Jeff Zogg

Matt Althoff, AEMA Associate Executive Director who administered the survey this Spring. Matt is Director of Equipment at Virginia. — Matt Althoff, center, AEMA Associate Executive Director who administered the survey this Spring. Matt is Director of Equipment at Virginia.

This year's salary survey by the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA) revealed several surprises, a few challenges, and some good news.

“The survey helps colleges and universities place importance and emphasis on hiring someone who is credible and knowledgeable,” Matt Althoff, AEMA Associate Executive Director who administered the survey this Spring. Matt is Director of Equipment at the University of Virginia.

“This survey should result in a greater emphasis on hiring someone who is certified,” Matt told Helmet Tracker recently.

The 11 questions elicited answers that showed:

Salaries have increased significantly since 2013
AEMA Certification makes a difference
Females make less than male Equipment Managers, but the gap is not as significant as national figures show
Experience is important
Education and Program level may not make as much difference as you would think

Great AEMA Response

The first big surprise, Matt said, was the number of Equipment Managers who returned the survey.

“First, I was blown away by how many people responded and were interested,” he said. “As I was compiling the data, a lot of people were calling me and said they were going in for their annual review or going to see their supervisor to get more money for the whole team, and they wanted the data!”

It’s been five years since the Athletic Equipment Managers Association conducted a salary survey. This year, responses tripled.

Matt had the survey sent to 1,426 AEMA members and 67 Equipment Managers in the Power 5 not members of the AEMA. A total of 619 responded.

Why aren't some Power 5 Equipment Managers members of AEMA?

“There is a large group of Power 5 Equipment Managers who came out of one program and were simply not exposed to the value of the AEMA,” Matt said. “Additionally, many large programs have football camps in early June when we have our convention and it is tough to make it there. We are working to show them the benefits of membership.

Matt said the responses showed that many Equipment Managers were being paid well, and many were not.

The average salary rose to $52,575.

Average Salaries Increased

“In 2013 we had a few more than 200 respond. This year more than 600 returned the survey. That gives us a lot more data points which creates value and credibility,” Matt said.

The survey revealed that average salaries increased about $10,000 in the past five years. That’s nearly a 20 percent jump.

Of course, Matt admits, Equipment Managers could print off the survey and march into their Athletic Director’s office and demand a raise. But that’s not what the survey is about.

“The survey is more of a benchmark and tool to know where we are as a profession, as a group,” Matt told us. “It will make some people happy and some people upset. Others will find themselves right in the middle.”

First, though, the survey made it clear that Equipment Managers should earn AEMA certification. The survey found that salaries of certified Equipment Managers averaged $54,617, while AEMA membership salaries were $47,841, a 14 percent difference!

“To me, certification has always been important and it’s nice to see those numbers,” Matt said. “We are working on getting everyone who posts a job opening for an Equipment Manager to have a minimum standard requiring certification.”

Gender and Race Gaps

The survey also suggests that it is better to be a man in the Equipment Management business than a woman. Women averaged nearly 9 percent less pay than men. This, again, may be impacted by the longer tenure of older men in the industry. Those who work more years are paid better. It seems that the number of female attendees at the AEMA conference continue to grow. It would be interesting to cross analyze the tenure, level of program, and gender of each respondent to discover how much less women make in similar jobs.

“Overall, in our association, Equipment Managers are predominately white and male, so those numbers are skewed,” Matt said.

A 2018 study suggests that national pay gap seems to be somewhere around 20 percent and a 2020 study by Noel Griffith, Ph.D., states “Women Earn 79 Cents for Every Dollar Men Earn“, so female Equipment Managers are doing significantly better than some of their counterparts in other industries. Clearly, however, there is work to be done.

Because less than 2 percent of respondents were not white, race was not included in the results report, Matt said. The numbers were so low they would not communicate accurately.

“The number of minorities in our profession is growing—absolutely,” he said. “There were just a handful of women and minorities when I started—at convention you would know them all by name. Now there are more.

“Still, we need to be more diverse. It’s a challenge our entire association faces. We need education and to reach out to those who work for us and are student managers and say, ‘This is a profession you can get a masters program out of and then work as a profession, as a career.’ It will also take a grassroots effort from every Equipment Manager to recruit those who are not like them.”

Education Level, Age, and Experience

One odd finding showed that the level of education Equipment Managers completed seems to sometimes adversely affect income levels. For example, the average salary for High School grads was just $14 short of $60,000, while the average salaries for Associate Degree holders ($48,242), Bachelor

earners ($52,906), and Master’s degree ($51,185) were all significantly less. One explanation may be that the 45 respondents with a high school degree may have established and significant careers, while those with higher degrees may be younger.

In fact, age does make a difference. Salaries increased in every age category surveyed.

The survey also showed that the average salaries increased by years of experience, from $34,815 for the first year of experience, to $68,585 for 26 or more years of being an Equipment Manager.

“The progression is clear,” Matt said. “As you progress, you are being rewarded.”

Supervising Others and Program Level

Another oddity showed up when Equipment Managers were asked about their salary and the number of people they surveyed. The average salaries increased from the average of $43,395 for working alone to $77,796 while supervising 4 to 6 others. Then, however, the average salary dropped to $72,958 while supervising 7 or more.

Here’s another head-scratcher: Salaries do not seem to increase uniformly as Equipment Managers climbed from one level of school to a higher level program. Equipment Managers at the DIII, Junior College, and the NAIA/Other levels made nearly as much or more, on average, than DII, D1 FCS, and D1 (no football) Equipment Managers. The Pros and Power 5 DI schools pay their equipment managers the best.

Equipment Managers, those who pay them, and others should stand by. Matt hopes to conduct another survey in two years.

Incoming AEMA President Clifton Perry

June 1, 2018 By Jeff Zogg

Helmet Tracker spoke with Clifton Perry a few days after he won election as the new Athletic Equipment Managers Association President. He takes office at the conclusion of Monday's AEMA Members's meeting at the 2018 Convention in Phoenix.

“I am surprised by how many people have reached out to say congratulations,” he said immediately.

Clif found about the AEMA when working his first equipment manager job at a Florida high school where he worked as a teacher.

“I was the youngest coach and that was something the youngest coach had to do,” he said. “If I knew then what I know now, I would fire myself.”

He served the US Naval Academy during a year-long internship, then landed at Princeton in June 2004, where he now serves as Head Equipment Manager.

We found Clif to be fun, but serious about his latest opportunity for leadership.

This interview, both questions and answers, has been edited for clarity.

Tell us about your background?

“I was a high school teacher and coach in South Florida. I taught health, personal fitness, and physical education. I was born in Michigan and raised in South Florida.”

When did you get involved in the AEMA?

“I passed the certification exam in ’03 in Cleveland. I was District 1 Assistant Director in ’06 and ’07, then Director from ’07 through ’14. Then, after running for president against Dan Siermine in ’14, I became Vice President.”

What were the issues you ran on?

“My biggest platform, which was Dan’s (Dan Siermine, outgoing AEMA President) last thing, too, was to get the policies and procedures rewritten—they need to be more up to date.”

“I don’t want to tick anyone off and I am appreciative of where the association is currently—but we aren’t where we need to be. In ’74 when we started out, the guys got together to get to know each other and to help each other out.

“Now, most of us are in charge of well over $1 million in inventory. We are not sock and jock guys anymore.”

What is the most difficult barrier to overcome?

“The hardest part is that each of us is responsible for a lot of things and we aren’t recognized for the work we do. Everyone knows we do laundry, but they need to know about the spreadsheets, paying the bills, those types of things.

“We must change culture within the athletic department to realize that we are just as important as anyone else. I will be working hard in next few years toward getting us as an organization to recognize ourselves as professionals

“There are times we need to be seen as the same level of professionalism as our boss. We need to dress the part, present the part.”

“We need to be treated like the professionals we are. The only way we will get that respect—and the title and the money and everything that goes with it—is that we must look and act the part.”

What specifically do you recommend?

“Wear school gear everywhere, and represent the school. If we want to be treated like professionals, we have got to act like professionals.”

Some say there should be two certifications through the AEMA—one for football only and one more general. What do you think?

“I don’t necessarily disagree with that. Now, you have manufacturers with several different helmets and none of their parts are interchangeable. To be a football guy, you have got to be up on your stuff.

“But there is so much more. How many of our guys know the correct length of a field hockey stick? As an Equipment Manager, I pride myself on equipping every sport.

“I wonder if it really a good thing to separate the football guys out from the rest of the equipment manager? Football coaches are gaining more power over their entire staffs and more and more they want their own Equipment Manger to stay with them. Then, suddenly someone shows up in the equipment room who needs to know about field hockey suddenly.

“At the end of the day, are we Equipment Managers or are we football Equipment Managers. Obviously a lot of questions for that.

How many sports do you oversee at Princeton?

“Thirty-eight sports. That’s myself, two full time, and two part time Equipment Managers.

What about student managers?

“There are no student managers here. The students are more focused on their careers. However, we do have 10 girls who do laundry.

What else do you intend to work on as AEMA President?

“Well, certification is not required everywhere. Some schools that don’t require it. We see so many ads for an Equipment Manager job and they don’t require certification. Applicants for the job may or may not be up to date with the latest. What are we doing to make the certification viable from the standpoint that you want to keep it?

“We have a lot of people who get certified, but then don’t keep it so we need to figure out the value of it to continue.”

What else will you focus on?

“We have more than 1,200 members, but I’m not sure that we had like 500 people vote in the election. Same with the convention. Why is there only 500 or less there? We need to offer more to get more people.”

What do you enjoy about your job as Equipment Manager?

“The thing I enjoy the most about the job is the relationships you develop with the kids. It keeps you young. The kids I have experienced at Navy and at Princeton have been great kids and being around them makes my job more fun and easier.”