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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


Reconditioning Football Equipment.

Safety beyond the shine and polish.
by: Will Rodecap
Head Equipment Manager,Colorado State University
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Do you ever reach the end of the season and wonder what to do with your reconditioning? It does not have to be guesswork or a hassle. Consider the following pointers before sending your equipment in for service.

Helmets

With all the legal, liability and safety issues surrounding your players, the proper care of this piece of equipment is probably more important than any other.

It is important to know that both Riddell and Schutt require that their helmets be reconditioned and recertified every other year on all varsity helmets. If the helmet is serviced by an approved reconditioner, the manufacturer will replace the shell if it cracks or is defective within the five-year window of the warranty period.

By checking your existing inventory, you can determine what needs to be reconditioned and what can be held back an additional year. This will allow you to stretch your equipment budget, but still meet manufacturers' requirements for safety and warranties.

In the case of a painted shell, you may want to recondition each year. Also if you can design a unique color or mascot/logo the reconditioner can probably do it for you. Also make sure to have the reconditioner include touch up paint from the exact batch they mixed for your helmets. This will help you to later be able to get an exact match when touching up helmet gouges or scratches.

One custom option you can also specify is that all numbers and trim decals, such as sweat band covers and snubbers, be applied. Face mask selection and existing padding is also important. By taking the time, before reconditioning and recording players helmet make, face mask style, chinstrap, jaw pad and interior pad sizing, you can insure that no mistakes are made. The helmet can come back to you with the same sizers, chinstrap, and mask for the player to hit the field.

Remember you are the one in control of your reconditioning and you can indicate what your needs are in writing. The reconditioner will listen to you and get it done right if they want your business. Keep good records and specify all instructions in writing to eliminate confusion and protect your interests.

Shoulder Pads

Check your existing inventory and determine what needs to be repaired. Make sure to check over the epaulets for cracks or warping. The epaulet is the part on the shoulder pad that is the primary hitting area toward the end of the shoulder pad. See attached picture.

Next check over the arch and cantilever area of the shoulder pad.

Many times the arch can become cracked and the cantilevers can come un-riveted or worn out. Please note if the pad is a flat-pad design that it will not have a cantilever in place so all you need to do is check over the arch area.

Now check over the existing padding in the shoulder pad. Is it torn or are the edges frayed. In an air management pad, it is important that there are no tears in the body of the pad or the pad will not work as designed. Check over the areas where the padding attaches to the body. Is the velcro torn or worn out? Look inside the neck area and in the channel area over the shoulders for any tears or signs of wear. Inspect the caps or area that sits over the humerus of the shoulder.

Is the cap pad in good shape or is it in need of replacement or repair. Check out the strings in the shoulder pad and also the belts/buckle system. If the belts or buckles are not in working order the shoulder pad is not being worn properly and there is a chance for injury.

Look over all extra attachments such as neck rolls, collars, back plates, and rib combos. It is a good idea to have these removed and re-attached with new hardware. Any rips or tears can be re-sewn and any velcro or zippers can be repaired.

Once again it is a good idea to make notes of every thing you need done. If you have some pads that just need to be cleaned, sanitized, and new strings and straps put on them, you should be paying considerably less than a pad that needs to be re-sewn, and epaulet fixed, and new hardware for a neck roll. This is important! Take the time to determine your exact needs, record what needs to be done, and get all prices in writing.

Closing Tips

Schutt Sports manufacturing recommends the following strategies for contracts or bids.

The Written Estimate. Obtain the initial estimate of the cost. Your contract should state that if the work to be performed exceeds the original estimate by more than 10%, the school must be notified before work can continue

Length of Contract. Set the length of the contract at one, two or three years, etc. Make sure the contract includes a clause outlining a ceiling on costs.

Return Rejected Shells and Parts. If a shell is rejected, request that it be returned to you so you can examine it. It may still be under the original warranty. Rejected shells can often be used for trophies, awards, lamps, etc. In addition, the component parts may often be used as spare parts for other helmets.

Additional Tips

Some additional tips recommended by Circle Systems Group are for both athletic directors and coaches. Ask the following questions from the reconditioner before work is done.

1. Do they use original replacement parts rather than generic parts? This is a meaningful point in ensuring the safety of the equipment. A coach can easily identify these parts by the manufacturer's label. If the name is missing, chances are the part is generic.

2. Insist on delivery date and make the reconditioner commit to it. Ask for a timeline of services, building in a few days for good measure.

3. Ask for references. Though this is a reasonable request, few athletic programs ask for it. A few phone calls can eliminate potential headaches down the road.

4. Inquiring into a reconditioner's liability coverage may be an awkward way of starting a business relationship, but it does provide a level of comfort. The school has to be assured that if an athlete is seriously injured while wearing a piece of reconditioned equipment, the reconditioner is properly covered.






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