The Art of Choosing and Ordering Gym Equipment
By: Jerry Harris
Have you ever experienced the frustration of trying to furnish and decorate a house or apartment on your own? After looking at all styles of furniture and comparing prices, you decide exactly what you need within your budget.
The same feelings can exist as you try to equip a school gymnasium. You look through catalog after catalog; you talk to representatives from different companies; you figure how much of the facility you can equip with the money allotted. Then, you make your best guess at what you need, hoping the quality is what will last. Somewhere in the back of your mind you remember reading, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” Well, there is a better way.
By following some basic principles, you can be assured that the process of choosing and ordering the proper equipment will meet your needs and not tax your budget.
Choosing Equipment
1. Inventory your space and consider all the activities that you feel will be conducted in that space. Make a list of all of the equipment that you need to purchase.
2. Study catalogs, paying particular attention to the description, weight and materials the item is made of. Quality is more important than the price; if it won’t last, it’s not worth purchasing.
3. Buy the most durable equipment available, even if it costs a little more. The equipment you purchase should be built to last. It will have heavy use, so make sure it can take the wear and tear.
4. Don’t buy to fill space. Purchase quality equipment with the money available. Don’t purchase some good equipment and some inferior equipment just to fill space. Adding new equipment periodically gives new life to your program, so budget accordingly.
5. Check the warranty or guarantees and delivery requirements on each piece of equipment. This could be important if a piece of equipment gets broken and you must replace it. Many companies must have a cahier’s check for payment to hand to the delivery person when the equipment arrives – not having that will delay delivery.
6. Check shipping and return and set-up charges before you order equipment. Sometimes, you may save on equipment by ordering it rather than purchasing it from a local dealer. Be aware, though, that you may spend more overall after shipping charges are added to the bill. Also, make sure the equipment will fit through your doors – disassembly and reassembly is a pain, and companies may not do that for you.
7. Purchase from local agencies whenever possible. Unless there is a great difference in price for the same equipment, purchase from your local community. This will help build good public relations between you and them. It is good to remember that there will be times when you’ll need equipment quickly and won’t have time to order from companies that take three to six weeks to deliver.
8. Be careful about donated equipment. You can regret the acceptance of this type of equipment many times over. Some of the problems that may be encountered include:
* Equipment accepted may be in bad shape or may not be the type of heavy-duty equipment needed. Remember, people buy for home use not institutional use.
* If you accept donated equipment, how will you get rid of it without hurting someone’s feelings if it is not what is needed?
* The end product may be a million-dollar gymnasium with dime-store equipment in the center. If people want to give something in memory of someone, accept a monetary gift and then select the piece of equipment needed through the regular purchasing process.
Ordering Equipment
The method of ordering equipment can save you thousands of dollars. It can be the difference in being able to furnish a facility completely. These principles should be applied when ordering equipment:
1. Make a list of all the equipment needed. Don’t forget the basic necessities, such as garbage containers, supplies, etc.
2. List the companies who supply each piece of equipment. Be aware that more than one company may handle the same equipment.
3. Don't take the prices offered in the catalog. Spend time on the phone talking to companies directly or talking to the purchasing agencies who handle the particular equipment needed. Most companies will have a “Bid Office” or a particular person who handles large equipment purchases through a bid process.
4. Price bid all items. Send a letter to each company listing the equipment needed and the specifications you desire. Invite the company or representative to turn in a bid on the items that you list. In your letter, explain that you are taking bids on the equipment listed. Explain that you will open all bids on a certain date. Have a deadline date for all bids to be in. Tell them that you reserve the right to accept or reject any or all bids. Place in the letter your willingness to accept “only the brand and items listed” or that you will “accept substituted items of equal or better value.”
5. Don't play one company against another. Be professional; ask a company to give you their best bid the first time. It is unethical to ask a company you want to do business with to lower their bid and disregard the other bids sent in.
6. Give a deadline for entering a bid. This is important. A company will honor your deadline to enter a bid if they feel they can be competitive.
7. When a decision is made regarding which company will supply the equipment, write a letter to inform all parties of your decision. Include your appreciation to all parties who submitted a bid. This will create a basis for you to do business with them again.
8. Give a delivery date for the equipment ordered. This one detail is so important and often is overlooked. It is important for two reasons: First, you may have equipment arriving while construction is in process. This might mean that no place to store the equipment will exist yet. Second, your facility may be ready, but the equipment may not yet be delivered.
Choosing the right equipment and the actual ordering of equipment can be a rewarding aspect of getting into your gymnasium. You have the opportunity to establish acquaintances and to begin relationships that you will use for years to come. Established with good, reputable companies, you will be able to keep your equipment as updated as necessary.
Source: Lifeway Christian Resources
Product Roundup
Schutt Sports Gym Upgrade
With Schutt Sports Gym Upgrade Packages, Christian schools can get top-quality equipment, including two backboards, two goals and two sets of backboard padding for one low price. Installation is quick and easy. Packages include lifetime warranty glass backboards, top of the line Gold Point Ultimate goals (which meet the 2004-2005 NCAA regulations on rim elasticity) and Tuff Stuff padding.
www.schuttsports.com
Little SAM by Schelde
Schelde Portable Basketball Goals are widely used in professional, collegiate and high school competition and by athletic clubs and churches throughout the world. Its rugged, easy-to-set up design offers many of the features found in Schelde’s world-class portables used by top NBA and NCAA teams and in the Olympic Games. Features include Schelde’s spring-assisted mechanism (SAM) and patented dunk-proof, glass backboard. Little SAM is strong enough for spirited competition, including a reasonable amount of dunking. When price and space are considerations, Little SAM provides the look and quality of a standard, full-court system in a compact unit that is easy to move and can be set up by one person. The adjustable rim heights allow for teaching and play situations for a wide range of ages and abilities.
www.scheldesports.com
Porter Athletic Equipment Company
Porter is a worldwide supplier of professional and top collegiate basketball backstops and gymnasium equipment. For more than 135 years, Porter has provided high-quality athletic equipment used in countless competitions worldwide, including NBA Championships, The NBA All-Star Game, The NCAA Final Four Tournament, The Pan-Am Games, The Goodwill Games and The World Basketball Championship Games. Many top-ranked professional arenas and major universities, as well as countless local schools, park districts and YMCAs around the world, have installed Porter backstops.
Porter manufactures gymnasium equipment including basketball backstops, rims, portable backstops, custom gymnasium equipment, gymnasium divider curtains, wall padding, state-of-the-art volleyball equipment, scoreboards and a large selection of outdoor athletic equipment and products.
www.porter-ath.com
ClearDefense
ClearDefense Glass Retention Systems not only strengthen glass, but also retain shattered glass, safeguarding people and property. Through patented applications, ClearDefense offers laminates and adhesives that enhance the safety of athletes and spectators, while reducing the risk exposure and liability of facility owners. ClearDefense systems prevent shattering in NCAA and NBA backboards, NHL arena glass, NASCAR windshields and National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) gym backboards. www.cleardefense.com
Bison's Telescoping Basketball Wall Structures
Bison's unique telescoping extension design allows an installer to put the face of the backboard exactly where it needs to be in relationship to the existing court layout. Swing-up, side fold or stationary structures with extensions up to 12' can be ordered, packaged with backboard, goal and backboard padding to fit a school’s exact needs. Time-consuming measurements and costly field modifications are eliminated. Complete wall mount structure packages are in-stock for immediate delivery with either rectangular competition glass, competition breakaway goal and backboard padding or side court fan-shaped steel backboard and heavy-duty flex goal. A height adjustment system to move the backboard and goal between 8' and 10' is optional. Bison is the Official Supplier of basketball equipment selected by the National High School Association. www.bisoninc.com
Future Pro
Future Pro has a complete package that provides everything needed for basketball, volleyball and badminton in the gym or multipurpose room. Two portable adjustable basketball goals and all accessories to play volleyball, badminton and basketball are available in this value-priced package specifically designed for elementary schools, church facilities and youth camps. The basketball goals adjust from 6' to 8' with spring-assisted ease. Backboard can be rotated 180 degrees and rim folds up to attach nets for either badminton or volleyball. Package includes official size and youth basketballs, volleyballs, volleyball net, badminton net, four badminton rackets, six shuttlecocks and a mesh storage bag for all accessories. Lower edge of base is covered with a heavy rubber ring to protect gym floors. Bases with pole and accessory game components also sold individually.
www.futureproinc.com
STAR Sportsmanship
For those actively seeking a process to teach good behavior on and off the playing field, a software program, STAR Sportsmanship, is now available in an online format so that schools can teach their children about the true spirit of competitive activities. STAR Sportsmanship is a research-based character-building software program based on interactional learning theory where students learn a four-step process for making the appropriate decisions in athletic settings. STOP when it’s time to make a sportsmanship decision. THINK how your actions could affect you, your team and your opponents. ACT right away to show good sportsmanship. REPLAY your actions in your mind and decide if you showed good sportsmanship.
www.learningthroughsports.com
GS6000 from Goalsetter Systems
The GS600's design creates a distinct impression of strength combined with an unmistakable level of refinement. The GS6000 balances an official size glass backboard, durability and versatility to provide a premium side court system. Design incorporates low maintenance extension spring technology to make one-person setup and height adjustment easy and fast. This same technology is used almost exclusively on competition systems made by all major suppliers to professional and collegiate arenas worldwide. The GS6000 is down-sized to improve affordability and ease of storage and transport. The full size 42" x 72", 1/2" tempered glass backboard and breakaway rim will allow competition level play. Backboard has a lifetime limited warranty. Rim height is adjusted from 5' to 10' in 6" increments for players of all ages.
www.goalsettersystems.com
Fair-Play Scoreboards
Fair-Play Scoreboards’ versatile basketball models are designed for multi-sport use with just a simple change of captions. Using Fair-Play’s conversion kit, the pictured BB-1626-4 basketball scoreboard transforms into a scorekeeper and timer for volleyball and wrestling. Sports fans, athletic directors and administrators have relied on the style, performance and innovation of Fair-Play Scoreboards to stay on top of their game for 70 years. Fair-Play Scoreboards, a Trans-Lux company, designs and manufactures quality scoreboards and accessories for high schools, colleges, churches and municipalities. With more than 100,000 installations, the company is an industry leader in LED scoreboard technology and wireless sign controls. Fair-Play’s national network of dealers and service technicians backs their commitment to service after the sale.
www.fair-play.com
Daktronics Scoreboards
Daktronics, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of electronic scoreboards and programmable message displays. Daktronics offers several models of basketball scoreboards featuring a variety of game information and endless options to create the scoreboard that suits your needs. Tuff Sport scoreboards are designed to give you the durability you need with the look you desire. They are made with 25% more durable aluminum to withstand unintentional blows from indoor sports balls.
www.daktronics.com
Sports Imports
Sports Imports is the exclusive distributor of Senoh volleyball, badminton and tennis net systems, as well as Sports Attack volleyball machines. A recognized authority in national, international and Olympic competitions, Senoh equipment is among the most durable and reliable volleyball equipment on the market. In fact, Senoh net systems are used by 90% of Division I volleyball programs and are the only net systems endorsed by the FIVB and the AVCA. Sports Imports’ consultants focus their attention on the needs of individual programs and are able to assist with facility planning, court layout and design and product selection.
www.sportsimports.com
Jaypro Sports
Jaypro volleyball net systems are remarkably simple to set up, saving you valuable time for practice. Their aluminum volleyball net systems are lightweight and extremely easy to move, while at the same time rugged enough to withstand the superb net tension obtained with our direct drive winch system. The volleyball net systems fit perfectly into most existing floor sleeves. Jaypro has volleyball systems that infinitely and easily adjust from heights of 6 feet to 8 feet, 2 inches.
www.jaypro.com
