Practices and games have been canceled or delayed, events postponed, and many schools have been closed due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. Now what? The start of the spring season is usually a very busy time of year for athletic directors. Time to plan ahead is a hard-to-come-by luxury when you’re bogged down attending to details such as rescheduling rainouts.
While it might be easy to find ways to fill your time, consider this an opportunity to solidify plans, and set yourself up for success once things are back to normal. Below are a few ideas for athletic directors who find themselves suddenly navigating a work-from-home environment.
- Take care of yourself and others – As a nation, we’ve recently heard quite a bit about social distancing, proper hand washing, and the need to regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Check out the CDC’s website for more information on how to protect yourself and others. Additionally, it’s important to find time to get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet, and get any exercise you can.
- Revisit an old or outstanding project – We all have projects that are unfinished, or we just haven’t had time to pursue. Consider projects such as organizing a hall of fame, gathering records for a record board, or revamping the dusty banners in your gym. This could be a perfect opportunity to revisit some of these projects and finally get them crossed off your list.
- Prepare for the upcoming season – We still don’t know for sure how much of the spring season will be affected by the Coronavirus. It will certainly wipe out some, if not all, of the 2020 spring season. Fortunately, there is always another season around the bend. Down time now is a great chance to prepare for summer conditioning and fall sports by firming up schedules, ordering equipment, and filling open coaching positions. It is also a good time to consider improvements to the look of your athletic facilities. Graphics such as custom windscreens, championship banners, record boards, and signage can go a long way towards making your facilities look professional this fall season.
- Budget – This time away from the office can be a good time to plan your upcoming 2020 – 2021 budget. After attempting to get all open invoices paid, consider planning for your upcoming needs. With all the recent business closings and reduced hours, you will want to verify timelines with existing suppliers. Now would also be a great time to get quotes and compare prices to get the best value for your purchases.
- Stay connected – Perhaps the most important thing you can do is keep in close contact with your coaches, parents, and athletes. Embrace the role of your program’s spokesperson and biggest fan. Consider keeping in touch via social media with regular updates and words of support. Now is also a good time to engage with other ADs and rivals. While there may not be games going on, the competition is still there. Issue challenges, post updates, and create excitement. Keep the conversation going!
Athletic director is a position of evolution. New responsibilities, duties, and expectations are regularly placed on the shoulders of this ever-expanding position. The best thing you can do while stuck at home is to prepare to come back stronger than ever.
Do you have a graphics project that you’ve considered, but not had the time to pursue? Reach out to a Team Fitz rep today to get the conversation started. We’d be happy put together a custom proof and quote for the project. We’re working from home as well—and we’re set up to execute!