NSGA, NAERA Collaborate on Q&A Video “Football Helmet Reconditioning in Unprecedented Conditions”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Marty Maciaszek, NSGA Director of Communications and Team Dealer Division
mmaciaszek@nsga.org
(847) 296-6742, ext. 1260

or

Tony Beam, NAERA Executive Director
tbeam.naera@gmail.com
(717) 317-2143

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (August 25, 2020) - The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) and National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA) are pleased to announce they have teamed up on “Football Helmet Reconditioning in Unprecedented Conditions,” which looks at many of the challenges ahead for football helmet reconditioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is tremendous uncertainty facing professional, college, high school and youth football, including if and when they will play. Some programs have canceled their seasons, others are hoping to try and play in the spring of 2021 and some are planning to play either on schedule or with a slight delay this fall. Two experts from NAERA, Executive Director Tony Beam and President Bob Fawley, look at how all of this impacts the important safety aspect of reconditioning of helmets and other football equipment in a Q&A moderated by Marty Maciaszek, NSGA’s Director of Communications and Team Dealer Division.

“We are grateful that NSGA could work with NAERA and two highly respected and knowledgeable people in the reconditioning field in Tony Beam and Bob Fawley,” said Matt Carlson, NSGA President & CEO. “They do an excellent job of breaking down all of the challenges ahead with reconditioning and the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a forward-looking resource for sporting goods retailers and team dealers, football coaches at any level, athletic directors, school and youth league administrators and members of the media.”

“There have been a lot of questions directed to NAERA and NAERA reconditioners since mid-March when COVID-19 started affecting everyone’s lives,” Beam said. “We are excited to have the opportunity to work with NSGA to share this very important safety-related information with supporters involved in the football community.”

Among the questions covered in “Football Helmet Reconditioning in Unprecedented Conditions” are:

• What needs to be done for a program planning to play in the spring of 2021 and return to a traditional fall schedule a few months later?
• How will so many schools and programs trying to play in the spring of 2021 affect the entire reconditioning process?
• What should schools and programs do if their seasons are shortened or canceled because of COVID-19?
• Why is it important to get shoulder pads reconditioned?
• How quickly should equipment be given to a reconditioner?
• Why is it important to use a NAERA licensed reconditioner?
• How did COVID-19 impact the reconditioning process this spring and summer?
• How does the reconditioning process work and why is it important?

Fawley owns Capitol Varsity Sports in Oxford, Ohio, which has been one of the country’s leading sporting goods equipment sellers, team dealers and equipment reconditioners since 1954. Capitol Varsity Sports was a founding member of NAERA in 1975 and is one of 15 licensed NAERA reconditioners nationwide.

“Capitol Varsity and other reconditioners have coaches and athletic directors asking how various scenarios from COVID-19 could affect the reconditioning process,” Fawley said. “’Football Helmet Reconditioning in Unprecedented Conditions’ looks at all the issues ahead and it is a great way for anyone involved with football to get all the answers they need.”

“Football Helmet Reconditioning in Unprecedented Conditions” is available for viewing on NSGA’s COVID-19 Reopening Resources page at https://www.nsga.org/advocacy/covid-19-resource-page/covid-19-video-resources/. It is the latest in a series of resources NSGA has put together for NSGA members and the sports industry in response to the pandemic.

About the National Sporting Goods Association

Since 1929, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has been the leading voice and go-to resource for sporting goods retailers and dealers. NSGA helps the industry grow the business through research, advocacy and networking. For more information about membership or NSGA’s products and services, please visit nsga.org.

About the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association

NAERA (National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association) is an association of athletic equipment reconditioners whose mission is to increase awareness and acceptance of high quality athletic equipment reconditioning / recertification (where appropriate). Particular emphasis is directed towards reducing the risk of injury for athletic event participants. Members are licensed by NOCSAE to recertify football, lacrosse, softball/baseball helmets, and face guards.