Athletic Equipment Managers Association

The Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA) is a professional membership association for equipment managers who support the athletic equipment profession.

Athletic Equipment Managers Association
NicknameAEMA
Formation1974
TypeProfessional association
HeadquartersBement, IL
Membership
Over 1,000 members
Official language
English
Executive Director
Matt Althoff, E.M.C.
Associate Executive Director
Chris Dountas, E.M.C.
President
Meli Resendiz, E.M.C.
Vice President
Katrina Campbell, E.M.C.
Websitehttps://equipmentmanagers.org/

Founded in 1974, the AEMA has grown into a worldwide association of certified equipment managers at the professional, collegiate, and amateur level who work as a group to bring about equipment improvements for the greater safety of all participants in sport and recreation. Members of the AEMA enjoy the opportunity to meet their equipment colleagues at annual conventions, share ideas, and learn more efficient techniques to improve their workplace for their athletes, coaches, and support staff.

History

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The first documented original meeting was held in Atlanta, Georgia in June 1973. A committee was formed and the group was named The National Equipment Men's Association.[1]

Membership started with 25 members in 1974 with Harry Yalocki as the first Executive Director and Tom Burton as the first President. Helen Sharp became the first Administrative Assistant manager and started the office with her husband, Glenn Sharp.[2]

The first national organization meeting "Convention" was held in 1974 in Kansas City, Missouri where the name Athletic Equipment Managers Association was born and created.[3] At this first convention, a formal Executive Board was found and Jon Falk was appointed the first National Membership chairman.

The AEMA continues to grow and evolve each year through national conventions and other network opportunities.

Mission statement

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"We strive for the advancement, encouragement, and improvement of the profession for the greater safety of participants in all sports, while creating professional growth through research, education, innovation, commitment, and advancement for all members."[4]

Certification

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AEMA Certification is the educational program that gives athletic equipment managers an accepted level of proficiency in the performance of their jobs through the proper recognition of specialized skills, knowledge, and experience in the athletic equipment management field. Scantron Corporation is contracted with the AEMA to develop a Certification Standard for Athletic Equipment Management and a Certification Exam is administered annually for members to take and become Certified Equipment Managers. Through a role delineation process, the following areas of job performance were identified and established for athletic equipment managers to be proficient in: management, administration, and professional development; procurement; accountability; maintenance; fitting and safety.[5]

Certification began in 1991 and is considered the standard for athletic equipment management which continues annually thru the Certification Exam.[6] To maintain certified equipment manager status, each certified member must earn 6.0 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) every three years. This represents 60 contact hours in various forms of educational activities that help in the continuous improvement, development, and growth of the association.[7]

Leadership and committees

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Top leadership includes the executive director, associate executive director, president, vice president, national office manager, treasurer, certification chair, and the 9 district directors.[8]

Certification Steering Committee is led by a chairperson and covers the CEC, Education, Exam, and Program Committees.

Other committees are the Exhibits Committee, External Communications Committee, Lifetime Achievement Committee, NOCSAE Committee, Scholarship Committee, and Mentorship & Engagement Committee.[9]

Districts

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The AEMA membership is divided into 9 districts that consist of District Directors (who each have a seat on the Executive Board with voting power) plus other leadership positions (such as Treasurer, Secretary, Social Media/Communications, etc.). Each district may host virtual or in-person meetings with workshops offering another way for certified members to earn CEUs.[10]

District 1 -- United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

Canada: Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia

District 2 -- United States: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia

District 3 -- United States: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina

District 4 -- United States: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee

District 5 -- United States: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

Canada: Ontario

District 6 -- United States: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

Canada: Manitoba

District 7 -- United States: Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

District 8 -- United States: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan

District 9 -- United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada

Germany

Japan

Awards

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Glenn Sharp Award

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The Glenn Sharp Award is the most prestigious award that the AEMA gives out each year at convention. It is given to the member who has made the most significant beneficial contributions to the AEMA. Candidates are nominated from each District then reviewed by the Board of Directors and past award winners before the three finalists are voted by all active AEMA members.[11]

Year Winner
1978 Glenn Sharp[12]
1979 Bobby Yarborough
1980 John Philips
1981 Billy Pickard
1982 John Daggett
1983 Booker Kilgore
1984 Norm Perez
1985 Jim Roberts
1986 Michael Arellano
1987 Bill Kelly
1988 Don Lacross
1989 Gary Boevers
1990 Jeff Boss[13]
1991 Mary O'Leary
1992 Dale Strauf
1993 Ken Hart
1994 Terry Schlatter
1995 Mike Hill
1996 Alan Ansell
1997 Mike Searls
1998 Steve Bartel
1999 Dorothy Cutting
2000 Dino Dennis
2001 Jon Falk
2002 Andy Dixon
2003 Daniel Siermine[14]
2004 Mike Royster
2005 Kelly Jones
2006 John Stone
2007 Tex Ritter[15]
2008 Meli Resendiz
2009 Lynn Williams
2010 Matt Lewis
2011 Kris Young
2012 Clifton Perry
2013 Greg Morgenthaler
2014 Larry Hare[16]
2015 Scott Jess[17]
2016 Matt Althoff
2017 Troy Jepsen[18]
2018 Ron Ohringer
2019 Kerry Conner, Jr.
2020 Robin Wert-Eller[12][19]
2021 AEMA Membership
2022 Mackenzie Rivers
2023 Phil Junis
2024 Al Cerbe

Lifetime Achievement Award

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The Lifetime Achievement Award is an honor given to individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to the AEMA by serving 15 or more years as a member and have distinguished themselves in the promotion and advancement of the association.[11]

Year Winner
2003 Helen and Glenn Sharp
2004 Jeff Boss
2005 Jon Falk and Dale Strauf
2006 Al Oldenburg
2007 Mary O'Leary
2008 Chick Napolitano and Billy Pickard
2009 Gary Barfield
2014 Ken Hart, Bill Jarvis, Bob Knickerbokcer, and Tex Ritter
2016 William "Billy" Rice, Daryl Buente, and Dorothy Cutting
2017 William John Brick and David "Sarge" Tinga
2018 Douglas Pads and Sports (Rogers, Doug, and Jeff Douglas)
2019 Texon (Wayne Kotulic, Sr. and Wayne Kotulic, Jr.) and Greg Payne
2022 Alan Ansell, Marty Clark,[20] Kelly Jones,[21] Suzette Madej, and Mike Royster
2024 Robert Jones, Chris Matlock, and Greg Morgenthaler

Booker Kilgore Award

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The Booker Kilgore Award is presented to the high school equipment manager who best exemplifies the character and service of the legendary Booker Kilgore.[22]

Year Winner
1999 Randy Fogle
2000 Jim Fagan
2001 Chick Napolitano
2002 Vern Walck
2003 Dick Kemper
2004 Dave Rangel
2005 Jim Conant
2006 Jason Eisenhour
2007 Ed Hill
2008 Art Rosales
2009 James Paradise
2010 Jess Jimenez
2011 Rocky Sherman
2012 Norman Walker Jr.
2013 Stephen G. Spada
2016 Dr. Gerard Giuricich
2022 Ron Turner
2023 Fred Brussel
2024 Paul Miller

Additional Awards

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A special recognition Service Award may be given to any member or non-member who has performed a service deemed above and beyond for the AEMA.

Each District is allowed to give out their own awards on an annual basis.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "History – Athletic Equipment Managers Association". Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  2. ^ "Glenn Sharp (1982) - Hall of Fame". Bowling Green State University Athletics. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  3. ^ "American Football Monthly - The American Equipment Managers Association". www.americanfootballmonthly.com. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  4. ^ "Mission Statement/Description of Purpose – Athletic Equipment Managers Association". Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  5. ^ "General – Athletic Equipment Managers Association". Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  6. ^ "The Road To A Championship Runs Through The Equipment Room". AFCA Insider. 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  7. ^ "Equipment Manager Certification Addresses Accountability, Liability". AFCA Insider. 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  8. ^ "Top Leadership – Athletic Equipment Managers Association". Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  9. ^ "Committees – Athletic Equipment Managers Association". Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  10. ^ "District Map – Athletic Equipment Managers Association". Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  11. ^ a b c "Awards – Athletic Equipment Managers Association". Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  12. ^ a b "Robin Wert-Eller Receives Prestigious Glenn Sharp Award". Franklin & Marshall. 2022-06-10. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
  13. ^ "HOF Inductee Boss' Impact Still Felt at LSU". LSU. 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  14. ^ "Siermine Wins Glenn Sharp Award as Nation's Best Equipment Manager". Air Force Academy Athletics. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  15. ^ "Tex Ritter Retiring as Football Equipment Manager". Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  16. ^ "Equipment Ace Wins Coveted Glenn Sharp Award". Kansas Jayhawks. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  17. ^ "Scott Jess Earns Glenn Sharp Award As Equipment Manager Of The Year". Bowling Green State University Athletics. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  18. ^ "Jepsen Named AEMA Glenn Sharp Equipment Manager Of The Year". Drake University Athletics. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  19. ^ "F&M's Robin Wert-Eller Wins Prestigious 2020 Glenn Sharp Award". www.fandm.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  20. ^ "Clark Presented With AEMA's Lifetime Achievement Award At Annual Convention". Indiana University Athletics. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  21. ^ "Jones Receives Lifetime Achievement Award". Gettysburg College Athletics. 12 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  22. ^ "Booker Kilgore". Viking Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
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https://equipmentmanagers.org/