Intercollegiate Athletics Equipment Specialist

Urbana, IL, United StatesPosted Oct 27, 2026

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities

Equipment Services to Assigned Sport Programs —

  • Provide comprehensive equipment services and operational support for approximately six assigned sport programs, ensuring student-athletes, coaches, and staff have appropriate equipment and apparel for practices, competitions, travel, and other team activities.
  • Manage the daily issuance, collection, inspection, maintenance, repair, cleaning, organization, and inventory of athletic equipment and apparel; maintain accurate records to ensure equipment is properly assigned, stored, and accounted for throughout the season.
  • Evaluate equipment needs and determine daily requirements based on practice and competition schedules, travel, weather, facility requirements, and coaching staff requests; monitor usage and condition and recommend replacements, repairs, or upgrades based on safety, performance, durability, and program needs.
  • Prepare, organize, load, transport, and deliver equipment and gear to athletic facilities and other venues; coordinate home competition setup, including sideline and bench preparation, equipment distribution, event coverage, and post-event collection and organization.
  • Provide equipment support for assigned teams during home and away competitions, ensuring equipment and apparel are available, properly maintained, and ready for use.
  • Inspect athletic equipment for proper fit, condition, functionality, and safety; remove damaged or unsafe equipment from service and ensure equipment meets applicable safety standards and manufacturer recommendations.
  • Collaborate with coaches, athletic trainers, student-athletes, and support staff to identify equipment needs, resolve equipment-related concerns, and assist with equipment fitting and adjustments; educate student-athletes and staff on proper equipment use, care, and maintenance.
  • Maintain an organized, efficient, and secure equipment room and storage areas, ensuring equipment and apparel are accessible, properly stored, and accounted for. Equipment Operations and Service Delivery —
  • Coordinate seasonal equipment distribution and collection, including issuing equipment at the beginning of the season and collecting, inspecting, and storing equipment at the conclusion of the season.
  • Coordinate equipment needs for team travel, including preparation, packing, transportation, distribution, and return of equipment and apparel.
  • Maintain professional and effective working relationships with coaches, student-athletes, athletic trainers, facilities personnel, vendors, and other internal and external partners to support equipment service delivery.
  • Respond to unexpected equipment needs and operational issues, independently identifying and implementing solutions to maintain uninterrupted team activities and competition readiness.
  • Ensure assigned equipment operations comply with departmental policies, University requirements, applicable safety standards, and established procedures. Strategic Leadership —
  • Establish priorities and assign daily responsibilities to student managers based on team schedules, equipment needs, events, and operational demands.
  • Manage and oversee Nike equipment and apparel allotment, ensuring resources are strategically allocated across assigned sport programs and departmental priorities.
  • Monitor equipment and apparel purchasing, inventory levels, usage, and replacement needs to maximize available resources and ensure responsible fiscal management.
  • Collaborate with coaches and sport program staff to identify equipment and apparel priorities and develop purchasing plans that balance program needs, safety, quality, availability, and budget considerations.
  • Maintain accurate records related to equipment purchases, inventory, allocations, and expenditures and provide information for budget planning and departmental reporting.
  • Serve as the primary equipment services contact for approximately six assigned sport programs, developing strong relationships with coaches and staff and ensuring consistent, high-quality service.
  • Anticipate future equipment needs and develop proactive strategies for seasonal changes, new equipment requirements, team growth, competition schedules, and replacement cycles.
  • Assist in establishing and implementing equipment services procedures, standards, and best practices to improve efficiency, consistency, safety, and service across assigned programs.
  • Coordinate with Nike representatives, vendors, University partners, and internal Athletics departments regarding equipment, apparel, orders, delivery schedules, product availability, and service issues.
  • Identify operational challenges and implement solutions that improve equipment management, student-athlete safety, customer service, and resource utilization.
  • Support departmental initiatives and special projects related to equipment operations, inventory management, purchasing, event operations, and overall Athletics administration.

Description copied from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's careers page. Read the full posting before you apply.

More jobs at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

See all openings at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

More jobs in Urbana

See all jobs in United States