September/October 2019 - 41

with the school's technology specialist helps athletic
directors see what technology is already available, and
what new technology must be factored into the budget.
Coaching aids
After preforming the needs assessment, collaborating
with a technology committee, and creating an athletic
technology plan, finding new technology to assist the
program should be next focus. This new technology
should adhere to the plan and continue to move your
program in the direction of its vision. One way to do
this is by implementing coaching aids.
Instilling new technological coaching aids into the
program can be difficult based on how willing your
coaches are to adhere to the change.
This is why it's crucial to have
members of your coaching staff on
the committee. Understanding what
your coaches are comfortable with
and would like to use will help in
implementing new technology.
Technological coaching aids
can include tablets, laptops,
apps, software and other
innovative gadgets. Coming to a
consensus on what aids will be
used throughout the program
is important so all coaches are
able to receive the same benefits.
Devices should be supplied by the
technology specialist, and a type of
professional development should
be provided for all of those who are
in need. It's crucial to include this
professional development to make
sure that coaches can keep up with
any changes.2
■
Displays
Another form of technology that
can bolster your athletic program is
displays throughout your facilities.
This can include scoreboards, score
tables, informational outlets, and
audio/visual setups.
Scoreboards continue to
become more innovative, using
LED lighting that rarely needs
maintenance along with displaying
more information and videos for
spectators. Although most schools
are not able to spend the money to
update their scoreboards, grants
and local advertisements are
popular ways to recoup the costs.
All tech plans should include a
budget and timeline for purchasing
any new displays.
Other advancements in displays include video screen
score tables, information podiums, and audio/video setups,
all of which improve the athletic experience for fans and
players. These new technological enhancements can
display short video clips, or provide information relating to
the school and athletic department.
Connectivity
Staying in touch with coaches, parents, student-athletes,
and administrators is critical for athletic directors. New
technology allows this to be done easier than ever before.
Between apps, websites and databases, athletic directors
can send out any information they need to keep that wide
array of audiences up to date.
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September/October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September/October 2019
