Sports Equipment Managers

For college and university equipment managers, the profession is changing and growing significantly. Athletic Equipment Managers Association certification has led to greater acceptance of the need for skilled equipment managers on the part of athletic directors and other administrators. The addition of computerized inventory programs, university-wide contracts with dealers, and the high-stakes business atmosphere of athletics have increased demands on equipment managers as they are being called on to broaden their skill sets. Qualified equipment managers will be needed to meet these challenges. The coronavirus pandemic has stalled most sports, postponing or cancelling competitions worldwide. Job growth is expected to be slow into 2021 for sports equipment managers but should pick up again once the pandemic ends. In general, the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 11 percent growth for the closely related professions of coaches and sports scouts, suggesting equipment managers may also experience faster than average employment growth through 2028.