ST1 Sports Content

A pair of black padded volleyball knee pads standing upright against a plain gray studio background

Volleyball Knee Pads: Why Your Program Should Never Compromise on Protection

ST1 Sports.Jul 18, 2026
Padding is only part of it. Compare EVA foam and gel inserts, low-profile against full-coverage styles, and the shell and stitching details that decide whether a pad lasts the season.
An organized athletic equipment storage room with shelves of helmets, folded jerseys, and boxed sports gear alongside a clipboard and measuring tape on a central table.

5 Mistakes Coaches Make When Ordering Bulk Sports Equipment

ST1 Sports.Jul 17, 2026
From late orders and sizing errors to compliance gaps and vendor sprawl, these five common bulk sports equipment mistakes cost athletic programs time, money, and safety. Here's how to avoid them.
A sunlit athletic storage room with neatly organized rows of team jerseys and sports gear on metal shelving units, bathed in warm golden light.

Stretch Your Athletic Budget Without Cutting Gear Quality

ST1 Sports.Jul 17, 2026
With record-high participation and flat budgets, athletic directors need strategies that go beyond cost-cutting. This guide covers tiered spending frameworks, cooperative purchasing, and custom team store revenue to help programs equip more athletes without sacrificing gear quality.
Overhead flat-lay of assorted middle school sports equipment including a basketball, soccer ball, volleyball, football, baseball glove, cones, and shin guards arranged neatly on a gymnasium floor.

Middle School Multi-Sport Program: Complete Equipment Checklist

ST1 Sports.Jul 17, 2026
A practical, budget-aware equipment checklist for athletic directors building or expanding middle school multi-sport programs, organized by priority tier, sport, and procurement strategy to maximize every dollar.
A well-organized athletic director's desk with a clipboard and neatly grouped sports equipment including a basketball, soccer ball, and cleats, bathed in soft natural light.

One Supplier vs. Many: How to Save Time and Money on Sports Equipment Orders

ST1 Sports.Jul 16, 2026
Most schools and clubs overspend on sports equipment by splitting orders across multiple vendors. Learn how consolidating to one supplier saves money, cuts admin hours, and can even generate revenue back for your athletic program.
An Ultrak L20 eight-lane handheld timer used for timing track and cross country races

Cross Country Spikes 101: How to Choose the Right Shoes for Your Runners

ST1 Sports.Jul 10, 2026
Nylon, Pebax or carbon? Quarter-inch pins or half-inch? A coach-level guide to spike plates, pin lengths and snug-but-not-too-snug fit, plus the gear budget lines that spikes tend to crowd out.
A Baden Official Lexum volleyball, approved for NFHS high school play, shown against a plain background

Volleyball Uniforms and Equipment: A Complete Guide for High School and Club Teams

ST1 Sports.Jul 10, 2026
Everything a high school or club volleyball program orders in one place: sublimated kits and spandex, the NFHS and USAV jersey rules that differ, and the nets, balls and training aids behind them.
Aluminum starting blocks, a shot put, and a wooden discus beside an orange hurdle on an outdoor track under blue sky

How to Choose the Best Track Gear for High School Athletics (Compared)

ST1 Sports.Jul 10, 2026
Three brands dominate high school track, and each has a sweet spot. We compare Gill, Porter and Blazer across throwing, vaulting and sprint gear, then suggest how to split a refresh budget.
Two sublimated basketball jerseys numbered 24, one with a purple-to-orange gradient and one in white

Youth Basketball Jerseys: Why Sublimation vs. Screen Printing Matters for Your Program

ST1 Sports.Jul 06, 2026
Screen printing is cheaper up front. Sublimation survives weekly high-heat laundry without cracking. Here is how the two compare on breathability, durability and cost per season for youth basketball.
Pyramids of basketballs, soccer balls, and footballs beside stacks of colored training cones, disc markers, and folded pinnies

Looking For Wholesale Sports Equipment? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know

ST1 Sports.Jul 06, 2026
Wholesale is not just buying more. It runs on minimums, lead times, decoration charges and pricing tiers. Ten things to understand before your program places its first big order.