AK Athletics' MASSIVE Order to Buccaneers Foundation
At AK Athletics, safety isn’t an add-on — it’s built into every layer we craft. From the foam core to the final stitch, we create gear designed to protect the athletes who give it their all. Because athletes are built through hard work and their equipment should be built to match.
That’s why we’re proud to announce one of the largest column pad orders in our 35-year history: nearly 500 custom column pads, designed in partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation for over 200 schools across Southern Florida.
Built to Protect, Designed to Inspire
This milestone job involved producing over 500 custom-printed column pads, each featuring 4-inch thick foam wrapped in durable vinyl and branded on all four sides with the official Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo. To meet the demanding scale, our four industrial printing machines ran nearly nonstop for almost two weeks, producing vibrant, high-quality prints on every pad.
"In my nearly eight years at AK, I haven't taken on a print job of this size before, but it was a challenge I definitely embraced. I'm looking forward to growth in the printing department and taking on more of these larger jobs as AK continues to grow as a company."
— Jesse Mohler; Design & Printing Dept. Manager, AK Athletics
Beyond printing, each pad required careful sewing and assembly by hand to ensure durability and safety. The pads came in a variety of sizes to fit different facilities — from high school football fields to NFL stadiums — but every one carried the same bold, high-visibility design.
Every pad proudly delivers professional-grade safety and team pride — a powerful reminder to young athletes that they deserve the same protection as the pros.
Behind This Game-Changing Project
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation is the charitable arm of the Buccaneers NFL franchise, focused on creating lasting impact through health, education, gender equality, and community development initiatives. From providing fitness programs to over 130,000 students, to offering scholarships for female football players, to funding small businesses and supporting social justice efforts, the Foundation uses the power of football to uplift youth and strengthen communities across Tampa Bay.
So when we were approached for this project, it was exactly the kind of mission we were proud to be part of. The Foundation’s dedication to youth development and community impact aligns seamlessly with our values at AK Athletics — making this about more than just column pads.
It was an opportunity to support a shared mission: protecting young athletes while creating spaces that inspire confidence, pride, and growth.
A Massive Undertaking — Powered by the AK Team
From design to delivery, this project required an all-hands-on-deck effort. In close coordination with members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation and several school representatives, our team navigated complex printing schedules, accelerated production workflows, and multi-phase shipping logistics — all while upholding AK’s industry-leading quality standards.
To meet the scale and timeline of the order, our production teams operated nearly around the clock for almost two weeks, pushing every department to deliver excellence at NFL standards. Behind every pad is a team of dedicated craftsmen, designers, and operations professionals who ensured this project was completed with care, urgency, and attention to detail.
“We’ve worked with elite programs before, but this one is truly something special. To know these pads will protect young athletes — and carry the logo of a Super Bowl-winning franchise — is something we take great pride in.”
— Angela Katz; CEO, AK Athletic Equipment Inc.
Built for Champions, Trusted by the Best
This order isn’t just a win for AK Athletics — it’s a win for every student stepping onto a safer, more inspiring court or training space. It reinforces what we’ve believed for 35 years: when young athletes feel protected and supported, they play harder, dream bigger, and grow stronger.
We’re proud to support the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the many schools receiving this equipment. As the season kicks off, we wish the Bucs a powerful year on the field — and to every school, a year filled with safety, growth, and success. It’s an honor to help protect the next generation of athletes.
Ready to bring that same level of protection to your athletes? Contact us today to start your custom padding project.
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