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By Daniel Rodriguez•Last Updated April 21, 2025

Academy Sports Hiring Age: Employment Opportunities for Teenagers

Does academy sport hire at 16? Understand teen employment opportunities

Many teenagers eager to enter the workforce oftentimes look to retail establishments as their first employment opportunity. Academy sports + outside, a popular sporting goods retailer with over 260 stores across the United States, is oftentimes consider by young jobseekers. Whether academy sports hire 16-year-olds is common among teens look to gain work experience and earn income.

Academy sports’ minimum age requirement

Yes, academy sports + outside does hire employees who are 16 years old. This makes the retailer an accessible option for teenagers seek employment opportunities. Notwithstanding, there be certain restrictions and considerations that apply to workers under 18 years of age, in accordance with federal and state labor laws.

While the company maintain a minimum hiring age of 16 for most entry level positions, it’s important to note that age requirements can vary depend on:

The specific position
State labor laws
Store specific policies
The nature of job responsibilities

Available positions for 16-year-old employees

Academy sports offer several entry level positions suitable for 16-year-old applicants. These roles typically focus on customer service and basic retail operations:

Sales associate

The near common position available to 16-year-olds at academy sports is that of a sales associate. In this role, teenagers can expect to:

Assist customers in find products
Provide information about sporting goods and equipment
Maintain store organization and cleanliness
Help with inventory management
Process customer transactions at registers

This position serve as an excellent introduction to retail work, allow teens to develop valuable customer service skills while learn about sporting goods and outdoor equipment.

Cashier

Another position often available to 16-year-olds is that of a cashier. Responsibilities typically include:

Operating point of sale systems
Process various payment methods
Handle cash accurately
Provide receipts and return information
Address basic customer inquiries

Cashier positions help teens develop skills in mathematics, customer interaction, and attention to detail.

Stock associate

Some academy sports locations may hire 16-year-olds as stock associates, though this can vary by store. These positions involve:

Receive and unpack merchandise
Stock shelves and displays
Organize inventory in stockrooms
Assist with store maintenance

Positions with age restrictions

While academy sports does hire 16-year-olds, certain positions within the company require employees to be at least 18 years old due to safety considerations and legal requirements:

Positions typically restrict to 18 +

Firearms counter associate:

Due to federal regulations regard the handling and sale of firearms, employees must be at least 18 years old to work in this department.
Overnight stock team:

Positions that require work late night or overnight shifts are broadly restricted to adults 18 and older.
Management roles:

Supervisory positions typically require candidates to be at least 18 years old and have previous retail experience.
Positions require heavy machinery:

Jobs involve the operation of certain equipment like forklifts are restricted to adult employees.

Work permit requirements

Depend on the state where the academy sports store is locate, 16-year-old applicants may need to obtain a work permit before begin employment. These permits, sometimes call work papers, are typically issue by:

Local school districts
State departments of labor
Other designate government agencies

The process for obtain a work permit broadly involve:

Get an application form from your school or state labor department
Have a parent or guardian sign the form
Provide proof of age (birth certificate, passport, etc. )
Submit the complete form to the appropriate authority

It’s important to check the specific requirements in your state, as they can vary importantly.

Hour restrictions for teen employees

Federal and state labor laws place restrictions on the number of hours and times of day that 16-year-old employees can work, specially during school periods. Academy sports complies with these regulations, which typically include:

During school weeks

Maximum of 3 4 hours on school days
Maximum of 18 20 hours per week
No work during school hours
Work typically must end by 7:00 pm or 10:00 pm (vary by state )

During non school periods

Maximum of 8 hours per day
Maximum of 40 hours per week
Work typically must end by 9:00 pm or midnight (vary by state )

These restrictions ensure that employment doesn’t interfere with educational responsibilities and allow for adequate rest time for teenage workers.

Application process for 16-year-olds

The application process for 16-year-olds at academy sports is similar to that for adult applicants, with a few additional considerations:

How to apply

Online application:

Visit the academy sports + outside career website and search for available positions at your local store.
In store inquiry:

Some locations accept paper applications or allow potential applicants to express interest in person.
Complete application form:

Provide all request information, include education details, availability, and any previous work experience.
Work permit:

Be prepared to provide a work permit if you require in your state.
Interview process:

If select, participate in an interview with a department manager or store director.

Tips for 16-year-old applicants

Highlight relevant experience:

Include volunteer work, school activities, or sports participation that demonstrate responsibility and teamwork.
Be clear about availability:

Accurately indicate when you can work, account for school hours and extracurricular activities.
Prepare for the interview:

Research academy sports advance and be ready to discuss why you’re interested in work thither.
Professional appearance:

Dress neatly for any in person interactions, include the interview.
Follow up:

Consider follow up within a week after submit your application to express continued interest.

Benefits of working at academy sports as a teen

Employment at academy sports offer several advantages for teenage workers:

Flexible scheduling

Academy sports typically work with student employees to create schedules that accommodate school hours and extracurricular activities. This flexibility make it easier for teens to balance work and education.

Employee discounts

Employees, include 16-year-olds, mostly receive discounts on store merchandise. This can be especially beneficial for teens involve in sports or outdoor activities.

Skill development

Work at academy sports provide opportunities to develop valuable skills such as:

Customer service expertise
Communication abilities
Problem solve capabilities
Teamwork experience
Time management
Product knowledge

Career growth potential

Start at academy sports as a teenager can provide a foundation for future career advancement. Many retail managers begin as entry level employees and progress through the ranks as they gain experience.

Prepare for success as a young employee

For 16-year-olds begin work at academy sports, several strategies can help ensure a positive experience:

Understand company culture

Academy sports + outside emphasize customer service, product knowledge, and teamwork. Familiarize yourself with the company’s values and mission can help you align with organizational goals.

Learn about products

Academy sports carry a wide range of sporting goods, outdoor equipment, and apparel. Take time to learn about these products can enhance your ability to assist customers efficaciously.

Develop professional habits

Punctuality:

Arrive on time for shifts demonstrate reliability and responsibility.
Proper attire:

Follow the dress code show professionalism and respect for company policies.
Communication:

Intelligibly communicate with supervisors about scheduling needs or concerns help prevent misunderstandings.
Initiative:

Look for tasks to complete when customer traffic is slow demonstrate a strong work ethic.

Balance work and school

For 16-year-old employees, maintain academic performance while work part-time is essential:

Communicate with managers:

Keep supervisors inform about exam periods or school projects that might require schedule adjustments.
Time management:

Develop a system for balance homework, study time, and work shifts.
Prioritize education:

Remember that school should remain the primary focus, with work as a secondary commitment.
Use resources:

Take advantage of any tutoring or academic support available at school if balance work and studies become challenging.

Conclusion

Academy sports + outside does hire employees at 16 years of age for various entry level positions, make it a viable option for teenagers seek retail experience. While certain positions and responsibilities are restricted to older employees16-year-oldsds can find opportunities as sales associates, cashiers, and sometimes stock associates.

Work at academy sports as a teenager offer valuable benefits, include flexible scheduling, employee discounts, and skill development. By understand the application process, hour restrictions, and expectations, 16-year-old applicants can position themselves for success in their first retail role.

For teenagers interested in sports, outdoor activities, or retail, academy sports provide a supportive environment to gain professional experience while comply with labor laws design to protect young workers. This combination of factors make academy sports an attractive employment option for 16-year-olds enter the workforce.