Intercollegiate Athletics Equipment Specialist
Urbana, IL, USA
Posted on Oct 27, 2026
Duties and Responsibilities Equipment Services to Assigned Sport Programs — • Provide comprehensive equipment services and operational support for approximately six assigned sport programs, ensuring student-athletes, coaches, and staff have appropriate equipment and apparel for practices, competitions, travel, and other team activities. • Manage the daily issuance, collection, inspection, maintenance, repair, cleaning, organization, and inventory of athletic equipment and apparel; maintain accurate records to ensure equipment is properly assigned, stored, and accounted for throughout the season. • Evaluate equipment needs and determine daily requirements based on practice and competition schedules, travel, weather, facility requirements, and coaching staff requests; monitor usage and condition and recommend replacements, repairs, or upgrades based on safety, performance, durability, and program needs. • Prepare, organize, load, transport, and deliver equipment and gear to athletic facilities and other venues; coordinate home competition setup, including sideline and bench preparation, equipment distribution, event coverage, and post-event collection and organization. • Provide equipment support for assigned teams during home and away competitions, ensuring equipment and apparel are available, properly maintained, and ready for use. • Inspect athletic equipment for proper fit, condition, functionality, and safety; remove damaged or unsafe equipment from service and ensure equipment meets applicable safety standards and manufacturer recommendations. • Collaborate with coaches, athletic trainers, student-athletes, and support staff to identify equipment needs, resolve equipment-related concerns, and assist with equipment fitting and adjustments; educate student-athletes and staff on proper equipment use, care, and maintenance. • Maintain an organized, efficient, and secure equipment room and storage areas, ensuring equipment and apparel are accessible, properly stored, and accounted for. Equipment Operations and Service Delivery — • Coordinate seasonal equipment distribution and collection, including issuing equipment at the beginning of the season and collecting, inspecting, and storing equipment at the conclusion of the season. • Coordinate equipment needs for team travel, including preparation, packing, transportation, distribution, and return of equipment and apparel. • Maintain professional and effective working relationships with coaches, student-athletes, athletic trainers, facilities personnel, vendors, and other internal and external partners to support equipment service delivery. • Respond to unexpected equipment needs and operational issues, independently identifying and implementing solutions to maintain uninterrupted team activities and competition readiness. • Ensure assigned equipment operations comply with departmental policies, University requirements, applicable safety standards, and established procedures. Strategic Leadership — • Establish priorities and assign daily responsibilities to student managers based on team schedules, equipment needs, events, and operational demands. • Manage and oversee Nike equipment and apparel allotment, ensuring resources are strategically allocated across assigned sport programs and departmental priorities. • Monitor equipment and apparel purchasing, inventory levels, usage, and replacement needs to maximize available resources and ensure responsible fiscal management. • Collaborate with coaches and sport program staff to identify equipment and apparel priorities and develop purchasing plans that balance program needs, safety, quality, availability, and budget considerations. • Maintain accurate records related to equipment purchases, inventory, allocations, and expenditures and provide information for budget planning and departmental reporting. • Serve as the primary equipment services contact for approximately six assigned sport programs, developing strong relationships with coaches and staff and ensuring consistent, high-quality service. • Anticipate future equipment needs and develop proactive strategies for seasonal changes, new equipment requirements, team growth, competition schedules, and replacement cycles. • Assist in establishing and implementing equipment services procedures, standards, and best practices to improve efficiency, consistency, safety, and service across assigned programs. • Coordinate with Nike representatives, vendors, University partners, and internal Athletics departments regarding equipment, apparel, orders, delivery schedules, product availability, and service issues. • Identify operational challenges and implement solutions that improve equipment management, student-athlete safety, customer service, and resource utilization. • Support departmental initiatives and special projects related to equipment operations, inventory management, purchasing, event operations, and overall Athletics administration.
