Why athletic directors must embrace technology

Times have changed, and expectations have evolved when it comes to communication. Parents want to check game scores on their phones and stream live video at the office while students want interactive databases of stats to show recruiters and friends.

As expectations change, so must the strategies. In the same

For athletic directors, the proper use of technology can free up time in busy schedules, prevent clerical errors and result in higher satisfaction across the board. They will spend less time putting out fires and more time being proactive, which means investing more time in the future of their programs without neglecting the present.

Social media used to be a liability for athletic departments, but that’s no longer the case. Things like group messaging and social platforms are now critical communication tools that allow athletic directors to devote more time toward improving their on-field product and less time giving visitors directors to your gym. Leveraging the latest technology produces a wonderful snowball effect. When your programs improve, your teams win. When your teams win, more students want to play. And when more students want to play, your funding increases.

Still, when athletic directors are running at top speed to keep an athletic department operating smoothly, technology can seem difficult, and getting started is often the hardest part. In a world of continual technological advancements, it can be hard to know the full scope of the options available, where to find them and which tools are right for you.

There is technology designed to simplify most activities in the athletic office. Whether you’re a savvy veteran or just starting out, the technology you choose depends on the specific needs of the program. For example, a school with in-house video streaming might not need a new service for sports video, but it could potentially improve its communication channels through social media or group messaging. Similarly, a school with great systems around scheduled communication might start by improving its record-keeping practices through an online student management system. And if the in-house communication processes are solid, think of the families. Completing registration paperwork by hand is more burdensome than necessary, especially when more and more schools are switching to online sports registration.

Change doesn’t have to be hard. Determining the program’s greatest needs and incorporating tech accordingly will push the program in the right direction.

If athletic directors are not moving forward to embrace the latest tools, technology can leave them behind. Work more efficiently by taking advantage of the latest technology, and free up time to build a program that the school and community will remember forever.

Originally published on Coach & Athletic Director

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