Edward P. Connell
Louisville,Kentucky
Summary
Over 20 years of equipment management experience in both the college and professional environment. Attained knowledge in various aspects of operations including budgeting, ordering, equipment fitting and care, staff relations, travel logistics, sponsorship adherence, game communication systems, vendor networking, and management of student assistants.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director/ Equipment Operations- Football
University of Louisville Athletic Association
Louisville, KY
07.2018 - Current
- Support with the day-to-day equipment operations for an NCAA Division I, Power 5 Football Program.
- Oversee, prepare, and manage the Athletic Department's Adidas Contract of our $1.6 million budget for football.
- Place direct order through the Adidas B2B website
- Supervision of one full-time assistant, a graduate assistant, and 11 student managers with education on equipment room policy and procedures that relate to equipment maintenance, laundry, practice, and game set up.
- Maintain accurate and detailed records of helmet and shoulder pad fitting, repairs, and reconditioning.
- Utilization of the Helmet Tracker inventory system to receive and issue apparel and equipment to student athletes and staff, as well as conduct self-audit reports to ensure the inventory system is accurate with physical inventory.
- Knowledgeable in setting up our sideline communication and coach-to-player systems for game day.
- Ensure all equipment meets NOCSEA guidelines for football safety.
- Direct lines of communication between Administration, Head Coach, Chief of Staff, Staff members, and Athletes.
Assistant Equipment Manager
University of Louisville Athletics
Louisville, KY
01.2006 - 06.2018
- Assist the Director of Equipment Operations in all daily activities pertaining to successful football equipment operations
- Specifically responsible for coordinating daily practice schedule/equipment needs, ordering/inventory control of helmets, shoulder pads, gloves, and laundry chemicals
- Provide certified fitting and maintenance of all helmets and shoulder pads
- Develop travel/equipment logistic plans for all road games and bowl games
- Maintain relationships with Adidas, Riddell, Douglas and other national/local vendors to ensure all needs of the football program are met
- Extensive working knowledge of Helmet Tracker and Front Rush inventory management system
- Supervise daily activities of 15 student managers
- Prior to working exclusively with the football program, coordinated the ordering, warehousing, and distribution of apparel and equipment for Nine Olympic UL sports
- Served as the head manager for baseball, field hockey, Men and Women's golf, lacrosse, Men's and Women's swim and dive, Men's and Women's Tennis, and rowing, while providing practice and game day assistance with football as needed
- Guided the daily activities and duty achievement for three student assistant managers
- Handled equipment operations for special events including the FedEx Orange Bowl, College World Series, Big East championships, NCAA tournament, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Russell Athletic Bowl, and Music City Bowl
Assistant Director of Equipment Operations
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Oversaw procurement of all athletic equipment and apparel for 7 of 31 varsity athletic teams
- Head equipment manager for Men’s Lacrosse, Gymnastics, Water Polo, Women’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer and assistant equipment manager for football
- Worked directly with coaches and business office staff in administering and procuring all necessary equipment
- Prepared and managed budgets for forecasting equipment needs, various supplies and travel expenses
- Maintained accurate inventory control of equipment and apparel
- Accountable for the issuance, packing and retrieval of apparel and equipment
- Assisted football on a daily basis and at all games handling equipment needs for the team and staff
- Responsible for transportation of football equipment for home and away games, locker room/field set up and break down
- Completed helmet and shoulder pad fitting for football and men’s lacrosse
- Daily laundry duties included collection, distribution and repairs as needed for game and practice apparel
- Primary contact for STX Lacrosse equipment contract for men’s and women’s lacrosse programs
- Supervised/educated a staff of 20 student managers for men’s lacrosse, football, gymnastics and volleyball
- Assisted with football operations that resulted in an unprecedented 3 straight Commander-in-Chief Trophy wins
Head Student Manager
University of Louisville Football
Louisville, KY
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Assisted in fitting and sizing all player equipment, assumed responsibilities of supervising nine student managers, assisted in all aspects of running practice and pre-game activities, became familiarized with budgeting and ordering process, assisted coaching staff with summer youth football camp operations
Equipment Management Intern
Washington Redskins
Ashburn, VA
01.2002 - 12.2002
- Participated in all practice activities and pre-season game operations
- Maintained safety of equipment and ensured locker room functionality
- Communicated and developed rapport with professional athletes, executive personnel, and front office staff while completing daily objectives
Head Equipment Manager
Louisville Fire Football
Louisville, KY
01.2002 - 12.2002
- Performed all equipment maintenance duties, aided in all drills and pre-game activities, and performed all travel and laundry duties
Education
B.S. - Sociology
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY01.2004
Skills
- Equipment Management & Maintenance
- Inventory Control
- Team Leadership
- Vendor Relations & Negotiation
- Strong Organizational Skills
- Excellent Communication Abilities
- Safety and Compliance
Professionaldevelopmenteducation
- Certified Equipment Manager, 01/01/03, present
- B.S., Sociology, 01/01/04, University of Louisville
Certification
- Athletic Equipment Manager Association (AEMA) 2003
Timeline
Associate Director/ Equipment Operations- Football
University of Louisville Athletic Association
07.2018 - Current
Assistant Equipment Manager
University of Louisville Athletics
01.2006 - 06.2018
Assistant Director of Equipment Operations
United States Naval Academy
01.2004 - 01.2006
Equipment Management Intern
Washington Redskins
01.2002 - 12.2002
Head Equipment Manager
Louisville Fire Football
01.2002 - 12.2002
Head Student Manager
University of Louisville Football
01.1999 - 01.2004
B.S. - Sociology
University of Louisville