On Friday, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, Grand Park Director William Knox and leaders from the IUPUI Sports Innovation Institute launched a nationwide study to look at the impact and perceptions of the COVID-19 crisis on youth sports. Specifically, the study will gauge user perceptions of satisfaction and safety at youth sports facilities. The data will be important for venues, event organizers and sports organizations to evaluate facility and procedural modifications over the next 12 to 18 months.
Knox
Cook
“We know that one of the biggest challenges to reactivating youth sports in the wake of this pandemic is getting families comfortable with the ‘next’ normal,” said Cook. “This research will allow us to hear what families, athletes, coaches and event organizers are thinking and expecting as they return to youth sports. I believe it will validate the lengths we are going to create a safe environment at Grand Park and give other facilities similar data to make decisions.”
“The results of the study will help event organizers and sports facilities prioritize adaptations and understand the sentiment of guests given the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. David Pierce, Director of the IUPUI Sports Innovation Institute.
“This research will be imperative as we look to safely return to play at Grand Park and other sports facilities in Indiana and beyond,” said Knox. “Venue owners and sports organizations need to know what their guests and families need in order to meet and exceed safety expectations. This survey will allow us to go directly to the end user to understand how they expect event staff, athletes and spectators to interact with each other.”
Reporter file photo
The survey will be launched Tuesday, May 19 and is being sent to parents, youth sports leaders and governing bodies nationwide. The survey is looking to classify 10 to 12 adaptations that the sports and event industry is debating making when facilities re-open to understand their attitude toward the proposed modifications. Initial results should be available by June 1. Understanding how modifications impact user perceptions of satisfaction and safety are important for venues and events to consider in developing procedural modifications.
The Grand Park Sports Campus has already released its “Step 1 Reopen Strategy,” behavioral guidelines and enhanced sanitation and facility/procedural enhancements and is a leading conversation nationwide on the safest way to restart youth sports.
About the IUPUI Sports Innovation Institute
The IUPUI Sports Innovation Institute blends academic thinking with an entrepreneurial spirit to creative solve the pressing issues in the sports industry. The SII publishes the Sports Innovation Podcast, Sports Innovation Journal, and hosts Innovation Sprints for students. Founded in 2015, the SII leverages faculty expertise and student creativity to make a difference in sports.