CASE STUDY
From fragmented systems to unified operations: McMurry Swimming's digital transformation
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McMurry University’s Division III swimming program exemplifies excellence through dedication and systematic improvement. Under the leadership of Head Coach Jedow and Assistant Coach Samuel Willstrop, the program has achieved remarkable success, breaking 13 school records over the past two years. Their coaching philosophy centers on working hard while enjoying the process, creating an environment where intent coupled with drive helps athletes reach their full potential.
The McMurry swimming program successfully consolidated their scattered digital tools into a single, comprehensive platform, resulting in improved team accountability, enhanced communication, and stronger team cohesion across their record-breaking athletes.
“CrewLAB has transformed how we operate as a team. Having all our communication, scheduling, and metrics in one place has made our lives easier while simultaneously improving both the athlete and coaching experience. Our athletes love that they can look back on their workout catalog and stay connected as a team.”
The challenges
Before implementing CrewLAB, McMurry University’s swimming program faced several operational inefficiencies that hindered their ability to maximize athlete development:
Fragmented Communication Systems: The coaching staff juggled multiple platforms including Google Calendar, GroupMe, and various Google Drive documents for storing workout metrics and test set results. This created confusion and made it difficult for athletes to stay informed about important team updates.
Limited Performance Tracking: Critical training data was scattered across paper records and digital files, making it challenging to analyze patterns or maintain comprehensive records that could inform future training decisions.
Accountability Gaps: When athletes returned home for breaks, the coaching staff had no effective way to maintain team accountability. This created inconsistencies in training during time away from campus.
Wellness Education Barriers: The coaching staff recognized the importance of sleep and athlete wellness on performance but lacked tools to effectively measure and track their impact on athlete development.
Our solution
Crewlab provided McMurry University with a unified platform that addressed their core challenges:
Centralized Communication Hub: All scheduling for practices, events, meets, and extracurricular activities now lives in one accessible location. Athletes no longer need to check multiple platforms to stay informed about team activities and important communications.
Comprehensive Tracking: Daily activity tracking allows coaches to monitor workout completion, effort levels, and attendance patterns, providing valuable insights for performance analysis.
Enhanced Team Accountability: Athletes can post their workouts and track their training even when away from campus, creating a system of peer accountability that keeps the team connected during breaks. The platform facilitates friendly competition as teammates can see each other’s work ethic and training dedication.
Seamless Support: Immediate customer service with a dedicated CrewLAB member to walk the coaching staff through the app for personalized onboarding.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Coaches save time previously spent managing multiple platforms, allowing more focus on athlete development rather than administrative tasks.
The ability to review workout history and see teammates’ efforts has strengthened team bonds and accountability.
Coaches can now easily correlate attendance, effort, and performance data for more informed training decisions and better competitive preparation.
“With swimming, the majority of training time your head is underwater and you’re focused on what you’re doing. Being able to have a hub for the team online gives the team a greater sense of connection.”