Whenever the Franklin Rebels and the Brentwood Bruins suit up for a football game, it’s a big deal. This isn’t just Southernhigh school football; it’s close to being a religion. The Nashville-area rivals always draw a crowd, and kickoff night always feels like more than just a game. It's a full-blown ritual that jumpstarts the school year.
Gabriel Evans coaches the offensive line for Brentwood. He also teaches AP and Honors classes, and he knows a thing or two about preparation, organization, and attention to detail. That mindset doesn't stop at the classroom or the field. It carries into the locker room and the equipment space, too.
As equipment manager, Evans was tasked with finding a better solution for organizing gear. Especially when it came to football shoulder pad storage, the current setup was far from ideal. And as he soon discovered, the right shoulder pad rack setup would make all the difference.
Sidelined by Storage: The State of the Gear
Brentwood started its season strong, beating Franklin 17-14. But behind the scenes, the gear room wasn't performing at quite the same level.
With more than 120 players across varsity, JV, and freshman squads, Evans knew the gear needed to be stored as well as it was played in. Helmets, jerseys, balls, pants — it all had to be accounted for and easily accessible. There were two separate storage areas: the "Cloth Room" for uniforms and equipment, and a smaller space dedicated entirely to football shoulder pad racks.
"In the Cloth Room, we had a serviceable system that some parents had built around 15 years ago," Evans said. "It was just some posts, some hangers, and some dividers. It worked okay, but it started getting rickety and would sway back and forth. I was pretty sure it was just going to fall over any day."
The shoulder pad room was even more problematic. Pads were stacked 20 or 30 high on units constructed out of PVC piping. It did the job, but it was an improvised solution that led to unnecessary pressure, bending, and damage. Considering that football shoulder pads can cost between $250 and $450 a pair, coaches and equipment managers like Evans understandably want as long a life as possible out of their football shoulder pad storage.
“From the moment I met him, Gabriel had a pretty strong sense of what he wanted,” said Myers. “That made for a really smooth process. We met, he told me a bit about his ideas for the space, and we discussed some options that really fit nicely into the scheme.”
In the Cloth Room, 12 feet ofstatic four-post shelving unitswith Oblique garment rods were added to one wall. It is comprised of a trio of 48” W x 24” D units. On an adjacent wall, a pair of 36” W x 24” D four-post shelving units now accommodate pants for all three Brentwood squads.
The shoulder pad room got the biggest upgrade: a combo of wall-hung cantilever shelving and Oblique shoulder pad racks. In a 200-square-foot space, shoulder pads could now be stored neatly, seven or eight high, without being crushed or warped. The new football shoulder pad rack system gave each pair its own support structure — no more stacking, no more guesswork.
College-Level Storage, High School Pride
“Both areas look really nice right now. Everyone loves it,” said Evans. “The kids especially love the shoulder pad room because it just looks cool. The students think it looks more like a college setup. They take pride knowing that their stuff looks great, super organized, and clean. I like them feeling that they’re being taken care of and that we’re doing things the right way.”
That pride is contagious. And thanks to the support from the 12th Man club, a booster club of school parents who are always eager to show their support, the vision became a reality.
“Their backing is always phenomenal,” added Evans. “When I was putting the designs together for what we eventually came up with, I of course ran it by members of the board. Their financial contribution was significant, so I wanted to make sure we got it right. They were behind me at every step, and I couldn’t be more appreciative.”
Today, decals with the 12th Man logo adorn the shelves as a reminder of that support. And the football team gets to reap the benefits of their generosity and commitment every day.
Gear Up, Lead by Example
For Gabriel Evans, the new look of the football equipment storage areas is about more than appearance. It's a physical embodiment of his commitment to doing his best for his kids. It was about creating a space that reflected the team's values: hard work, pride, and ownership.
“Being the one in charge and having to account for everything," said Evans. "I want to know who’s in, who’s out, what items they’re getting, how much they’ve got, and where our jerseys are at all times. Being organized and being able to see everything makes that all much more possible.”
“I highly recommend Patterson Pope,” he said. “They gave me options. Certainly, different schools are going to be in different financial positions – that’s a given – but when you look at the cost-effectiveness and what it saves you in the long run, it’s definitely worth the investment, at whatever level. It’s a game changer. Anything that makes the transition from one to the other easier is a win in my book.”
Your Locker Room Deserves a Win
Great football starts with great preparation. And that includes your gear. A better football shoulder pad rack isn't just about looks. It protects your investment, simplifies your workflow, and builds pride in your program.
Whether you're dealing with stacked pads and wobbly shelves or just looking to level up your locker room, we've got the playbook. Contact a Patterson Pope rep today, and let's design a shoulder pad rack setup that scores.
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About Stuffey
To say that Stuffey was made for this role would be an understatement. A life long hoarder, Stuffey understands how the Laws of Stuff can wreak havoc in the real world of an organization’s space. Now as part of his reformation, he is committed to passing on to you his secrets in our battle against the tyranny of STUFF.
