Sports Business In My Backyard: Lowell’s Xenith, LLC. 1
Xenith produces helmets for the NFL, colleges and high schools.
When my appliance repairman told me that he had a service call at a football helmet manufacturer in Lowell, I had to find out more. This company was literally in my backyard (just two miles from my home in Dracut) and I knew nothing about them. After a quick google search, I found Xenith, LLC
I then reached out to Xenith’s PR director, Hillary Rose who was nice enough to connect me with the founder and CEO, Vin Ferrara. In this interview, Vin and I discuss Xenith’s advancements in football helmet design, concussion safety, Ray Rice, Nick Buoniconti and the Lowell, Massachusetts headquarters.
BST&N: How has Xenith become a “game changer” in the football helmet industry?
Vin Ferrara: Xenith has been on the forefront of both innovation and education. We have made it our mission to not only provide athletes the most innovative products, but also do what we can to make sure they are educated. Xenith was the first helmet manufacturer to stress the importance of education and to help athletes understand that all concussive symptoms must be taken seriously.
BST&N: With concussion awareness and safety at the forefront of players minds, how do Xenith football helmets put them at ease?
VF: It’s really about giving athletes the feeling that they’re doing everything they can to protect themselves while performing at the highest level, while also ensuring that they know that no helmet can absolutely prevent all injuries. Xenith is also evidence that advances can be made in the industry.
Xenith was the first helmet manufacturer to steer away from dense padding in helmets, which were originally designed to prevent skull fractures, and instead develop a technology that is designed to adapt to all hits experienced on the field. We have put players at ease from youth levels through the NFL with our advances in technology but most importantly we put players, coaches, parents, athletic trainers and officials at ease by providing them with the most up to date information about safety.
BST&N: How do you educate your customers’ on the Xenith football helmet’s innovative design and safety features? Tell me more about the Xenith Academy and the Enlightened Warriors.
VF: Xenith is trying to create Enlightened Warriors, players that are leaders and perform well on and off the football field. We have created Xenith Academy, an online resource for players, coaches, parents, athletic trainers and officials to interact through social networking and also educate themselves on the resources Xenith Academy has to offer.
Our Xenith Academy curriculum includes interviews with players we believe are great role models, proper tackling technique instruction, concussion management, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion and the Enlightened Warrior Creed. Xenith Academy is where Enlightened Warriors go to educate themselves and interact with others.
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