Recognizing Volunteers, Custodians, Maintenance Staff Who Keep Sports Thriving

School athletic programs are more than just a series of games and practices – they are vibrant communities that foster teamwork, discipline and school spirit. While athletes and coaches often receive the spotlight, there’s a group of dedicated individuals whose contributions are vital but sometimes overlooked: volunteers, including custodians and maintenance staff. These unsung heroes play a crucial role in ensuring that every sporting event is safe, successful and memorable.

Volunteers form the backbone of school athletic programs. Parents, alumni and community members step forward to coach teams, organize events, manage equipment and provide transportation. Their commitment enables schools to offer a wider variety of sports and activities than would otherwise be possible with limited budgets.

• Coaching and Mentorship: Many volunteers dedicate countless hours to coaching, imparting not only technical skills but also life lessons in leadership and perseverance.

• Event Organization: Volunteers assist with setting up and running concession stands, ticket booths and score tables, ensuring smooth operations during games.

• Fundraising and Support: From organizing charity runs to selling merchandise, volunteers help raise essential funds that support teams and purchase equipment.

• Community Building: Their involvement fosters a sense of unity and pride, connecting students, families and the wider community through shared support for school athletics.

Without these passionate individuals, many school sports would struggle to survive, let alone thrive. Their generosity of time and spirit allows young athletes to pursue their passions and build lasting memories.

In addition to volunteers, custodians and school maintenance staff are foundational to the success of school athletic programs. Their work, often behind the scenes, ensures that facilities are clean, safe and ready for action.

• Facility Preparation: Custodians clean gymnasiums, locker rooms and restrooms before and after events, creating a welcoming and sanitary environment for athletes and spectators.

• Field and Equipment Maintenance: Maintenance staff mow fields, paint lines, repair bleachers and keep scoreboards operational. Their attention to detail helps prevent injuries and ensures games can proceed without interruption.

• Emergency Support: When unexpected issues arise – such as power outages, plumbing problems or weather damage – these staff members respond quickly to restore order and safety.

• Long-Term Upkeep: Regular inspections and repairs by custodians and maintenance staff extend the lifespan of expensive athletic equipment and facilities, saving schools money and resources.

Their dedication is a testament to the pride they take in their work and the value they place on providing students with opportunities to grow through athletics.

When volunteers, custodians and maintenance staff collaborate, the impact on school athletics is profound. Coaches rely on volunteers for support; athletes depend on clean facilities and safe equipment. The combined efforts of all these contributors create an environment where sports can inspire, challenge and unite students.

Recognizing and celebrating these individuals not only shows gratitude but also encourages more community members to get involved. Whether through volunteering time or providing essential services, their roles are critical to the ongoing success of school athletic programs.

Expressing appreciation and providing meaningful recognition is vital to retain these individuals. The following approaches and efforts should help:

• Always personally thank volunteers, custodians and maintenance whenever possible. This step cannot be overdone. Even if some of these individuals are salaried, they often go well beyond their normal duties, and expressing a sincere “Thank you” is essential.

• Post the names of all individuals who have contributed to the successful operation of the season on your website. Add a concluding comment recommending the athletes, coaches and community members should also express their appreciation when they come in contact with these contributors.

• List all volunteers, custodians and maintenance staff in your seasonal and awards evening programs, and clearly indicate their efforts provided the necessary support for a successful season.

• Provide teamwear or swag – a sweatshirt, hat or t-shirt - whenever possible to all contributors. Often, they will greatly appreciate this token gift and wear it with pride, because they do see the value of your education-based program and having played a small part in its success.

The value of volunteers, custodians and maintenance staff in school athletics cannot be overstated. Their dedication enriches the lives of student-athletes and strengthens the fabric of the school community. As we cheer for our teams, let us also applaud the individuals who make every game possible, working tirelessly behind the scenes to support the next generation of champions.

There is an expression that it takes a village to raise a child. This truism can, and should, be adapted to the successful operation of your athletic program. It takes a collection of coaches, administrators, volunteers, custodians and maintenance staff to create and contribute to a safe, functional environment for your program.

Peg Pennepacker, CAA, served 36 years in public education including 26 years as a high school athletic director. She is an NIAAA national faculty member and instructor for the four legal issues in athletics courses. She is a member of the High School Today Publications Committee and currently a school board member in the Upper Perkiomen School District, Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. Pennepacker has been inducted into the NIAAA Hall of Fame, and she can be contacted at pegpennepacker@ gmail.com. Dr. David Hoch is a former athletic director at two high schools in Baltimore County (Maryland) for 16 years. He has 24 years of experience coaching basketball, including 14 years on the collegiate level. Hoch, who has a doctorate in sports management from Temple (Pennsylvania) University, is past president of the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association, and he formerly was executive director of the Maryland State Coaches Association. He has had more than 800 articles published in professional magazines, as well as four textbook chapters. Dr. Hoch is the author of five books: Coaching within the Education-Based Athletics Concept; The Parents’ Guide to Education-Based Athletics; Leading an Education-Based Athletic Program; A Lifetime of Memories from Education-Based Athletics: Humorous, Inspirational and Occasionally Sad; and Refocusing on Education-Based Athletics – A Call to Action. Hoch is a member of the NFHS High School Today Publications Committee.