July/August 2020 - 34

greater significance for schools.
" We learned real quick we could use it for more than
just athletics, " he said. " And as the technology advanced
over the years, a lot of the pro associations, like the
NSCA, indicated the best practice was to have a real-time
weather tracking system as opposed to an early detection
predictive system. "
Aside from Woodward Academy, DTN has helped with
the PGA Tour and various Olympic games sites and Notre
Dame football among others.
Earth Networks offers a similar line of products, with
its comprehensive Sferic Protect real-time storm tracking
software that is also customizable and accessible through
PC, phones, and tablets. Additionally, Earth Networks
offers an outdoor mass notification system that allows
athletic administrators to spend less time worrying about
the weather and more time focusing on other logistics
around game time.
" The horn alerting takes the onus off staff to inform
visitors to seek shelter. During a game, everyone is
looking down and not up at the skies at the weather.
Parents are watching their kids, referees are watching
the game, and players are keeping their eye on the
ball - and no one wants the game to be interrupted, "
Trish Heffelfinger, executive director of the Maryland
Soccerplex, said in an Earth Networks testimonial. " But
people respect the horn and the technology. "
With the Maryland Soccerplex, a 160-acre complex
equipped with 22 outdoor soccer fields in Boyds,
Maryland, the facility was simply too big to scale
and notify officials, players, parents, and others of an
incoming severe weather band. The installation of Earth
Networks' products eased the process and allowed the
soccerplex's administrators the opportunity to focus on
other things - like its 64,000 square-foot indoor sports
center and another outdoor championship stadium that
can hold more than 3,000 fans.
It came in handy when Hurricane Irene hit the midAtlantic
coast in 2011, according to an Earth Networks'
case study. With the hurricane approaching while the
fields were in use, the outdoor mass notification system
alerted visitors to the impending storm. And as the storm
progressed, the staff of the Maryland Soccerplex was
able to monitor approaching lightning and storm bands.
And the automatic alerts to mobile devices helped clear
the area, cancel the games and, most importantly, keep
everyone involved safe.
" I think the Outdoor Alerting System is something
necessary for every school, " Joseph Sanelli formerly
of Coral Springs Christian Academy, said in an Earth
Networks testimonial. " There's not much that parents
value more than the safety of their children and a
tremendous part of what we try to provide each and every
day is the safety and security of our students. "
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34 JULY/AUGUST 2020
http://www.training-conditioning.com
July/August 2020

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