Whether your athletic team is the Bears or Bees, the Panthers or the Pioneers, you want your players to look sharp when the whistle blows. But no matter what sport you play or mascot you rep, all athletic programs face similar challenges when it comes to uniform storage.
Efficient maintenance and quick access to athletic uniforms are crucial for teams across all levels – including K12, university, and professional programs. Yet, many teams struggle with cluttered and disorganized uniform storage spaces, which can lead to several drawbacks for your program:
- Athletes lack the clean, crisp uniforms needed for a comprehensive team look.
- Uniform storage disarray leads to confusion, game day chaos, and the need to spend on costly replacements.
- Equipment and uniforms are stacked or piled without ventilation to prevent mold, mildew, or worse.
- Potential recruits could be put off by your locker room or storage space's haphazard appearance.
Fortunately, you can find several storage options designed to organize and preserve uniforms and gear.
This article explores High-Density, Static Shelving, and Modular Casework, three innovative storage systems designed to maximize space and offer the flexibility, durability, and accessibility athletic programs need. By integrating these uniform storage ideas, your program can enhance its operations, and better impress fans, stakeholders, and recruits.
Double Storage Capacity with High-Density Mobile Systems
A professional team has locker rooms bigger than an average city apartment. Some college-level athletics programs, even high school teams, may not be far behind. But even the biggest budget teams want to use their space efficiently. That’s where high-density mobile storage sets itself out as an MVP.
Also known as compact mobile storage, this high-density shelving system combats wasted space. You can save up to 50% of your floor space with shelving mounted on carriages to make movable aisles. You eliminate unnecessary aisles and can adapt your equipment rooms to accommodate other needs such as staff workstations or a table dedicated to folding laundry.
“I now have a ton of open floor space, I have room for shipping and receiving, we have office space, we have a large laundry room with a Spacesaver unit in it with drawers and a laminate top for folding items,” said Wake Forest University’s Roxann Moody. “It’s allowed us to have a space that feels very, very open and not claustrophobic.”
Aside from the space efficiency benefits, high-density mobile systems can be specifically adapted for your uniform storage needs. Choose from a wide range of access options, from push-button to simply turning a 3-spoke handle and more. Plus, custom cubbies or garment rods can shape the solution to suit the needs of different sports. Each aisle also has a locking mechanism on the end for added security.
Your team can even wrap their storage systems in team colors or branded images. Florida State University did, and its recruiting benefited. “Now, when recruits walk in, they notice it. There’s a certain kind of energy they feel. There’s a vibe coming from the room itself that says, “Hey, this is a fun place to hang out. It’s a place I want to be,” said the team’s football equipment manager Darin Kerns.
Create Custom Uniform Storage with Static Shelving
Of course, high-density mobile shelving isn’t in every athletic budget. Don’t worry, static shelving is always ready to come off the bench and make valuable plays. Designed with durability and safety in mind, 4-post shelving systems make an ideal option to meet the rigorous demands of uniform and athletic equipment storage.
Options such as cantilever racks and 4-post shelving provide a robust and flexible solution, with a high degree of customization. Consider these advantages:
- Convenient reconfiguration and relocation with shelving designed for easy assembly, disassembly, and reassembly.
- Doors, drawers, dividers, and other accessories enhance adaptability.
- Flexible accessory options ensure everything has its place.
- Anti-tip devices provide extra stability and safety, even in earthquake-prone areas.
You can also adapt your shelving to match your team’s brand. Your uniform storage can come in any color or special finish materials (like wood, laminate, or glass,) to complement any interior design.
Adapt Seamlessly with Flexible Modular Casework
When weighing uniform storage ideas, we can’t fail to mention the versatility of modular casework. Make access to uniforms and other essential items easier with a storage system incorporating a range of modular wall cabinets, tall cabinets, base cabinets, and storage cabinets.
Modular casework is inherently flexible and designed to adjust rapidly to your changing needs. Avoid the time and expense of the rip-and-replace approach. Instead, change the storage configuration simply thanks to casework’s cam-and-pin assembly. Plus, units can be stacked or expanded horizontally or vertically to fully maximize your available space.
Is your program growing? Modular casework remains a lasting investment. If you decide to choose a mobile shelving system down the road, you can mount your drawer cabinets or other modular casework on the movable carriages.
At IMG Academy in Florida, combining storage solutions centralized uniform and equipment storage. “The new system has allowed me to save space; it’s allowed me to be more flexible in my daily tasks and activities. It’s a pretty cool system,” said IMG Equipment Manager Cortez Robi.
Winning Uniform Storage Ideas
Just as coaches need to be creative in coming up with fresh plays, uniform storage calls for innovative solutions that go beyond conventional shelving and cabinets.
Specialized storage systems like High-Density Mobile Storage, Cantilever Shelving Systems, and Modular Casework offer custom, efficient, and adaptable solutions for athletic facilities at all levels and across sports. To see how these solutions can fit your facilities, contact a representative from Patterson Pope today.
