In today’s’ technology and communication age, the same smartphones, tablets, notebooks, etc., that make the world smaller and more accessible, also allow us to better manage our busy daily lives. Zach Maurides, who played guard for the Duke University football team from 2003 to 2007, has developed an internal software system that allows sports programs to remain cohesive and efficient throughout their hectic schedules.
The software has features to monitor individual athletes’ workout progressions, tutoring sessions, community service, rehab sessions, and other similar activities. Through a smartphone application, coaches and staff can communicate directly with an entire football team, or just select members. The app stores player data, so coaches have medical records, class performance, game production, and other pertinent information at their disposal. Overall, this software keeps players updated with personal and team schedules, provides coaches easier access to student athlete scheduling, information, productivity, and facilitates easy mass communication.
As a freshman student-athlete, Zach Maurides struggled with the demands placed upon him. A bunch of appointments all over the campus made it far too easy to forget about an appointment, or show up late to a football function and be punished with extra conditioning. Offensive linemen, more so than other football players, detest conditioning.
Mauride’s first concept for his helpful software system, Teamworks, came as part of a class assignment to formulate an Internet application that would improve his life. Burdened with a dizzying schedule and the possibility of post-practice stadium stair running, the Teamworks model was a no-brainer.
Zach Maurides and business partner Shaun Powell would eventually found Logistical Athletic Solutions, and with early funding from Maurides’ family, expanded upon it while still in school. In its infant stages, the duo tested their prototype out with Duke University coaches to be certain they were fully serving all the needs a sports program could yield. Later, Maurides and Powell would leave behind careers and grad school to further pursue development and marketing of Teamworks.
The selling point to clients for their rather costly logistics system points to Duke’s return on investment of 345 percent, with major improvements noticeable within just the first six months. Nearly a quarter of a million dollars was saved by the Teamworks system, accounted for by the thousands of reams of paper and thousands of labor hours saved by Teamworks’ digital database and communication.
Not measurable is the stress and wasted time of which players and coaches were relieved. From their initial trial runs with Duke University, the Logistical Athletic Solutions tandem has now added to its staff as they are contracted by a healthy number of universities, professional teams, and even non-sports entities.
In the works is a more affordable version to offer high school programs. What started out as a simple idea to make life easier for one man, has matured into an application that supplies structure and stability to thousands of “teammates” across the country.