When it comes to high school athletics, the spotlight shines on the athletes and coaches. However, most students are not aware of the work done for teams by their managers. While they may appear to just be students on the sidelines, they are a critical part of their team’s success.
“I think that sports teams need managers because of hydration,” football manager Sarah Kula said. “Also, because there are so many jobs that are out there with no one to do them.”
While most teams are run and operated by their coaches and assistants, the student managers are there to do the tasks that are often forgotten. Whether it is the football managers handing out water bottles or the soccer managers filling the balls with air, their tasks are vital to practice and game success.
“The coaches have to coach, the players have to play and the athletic trainers have to focus on injury and recovery,” Kula said. “That leaves so many jobs for managers to do to help things run so much smoother.”
A team manager position provides many benefits to students, especially those who wish to be involved in sports but do not want to play or are unable to. It also gives students an opportunity to be surrounded by a supportive team and community much like athletes are.
“I like everything about being a manager,” football manager Sarah Doble said. “It’s so fun. My favorite things are definitely game days, though, especially when we win.”
The managers do face a few challenges. It can be difficult for them to receive important information or get proper recognition due to the fact that they are not the athletes out there playing for the team. They can also be confronted with a lot of tasks that can be overwhelming.
“Sometimes, it feels like we have a lot of things to do, and we also don’t get some of the information that we need,” Doble said.
Another way that managers support their teams is through encouragement and energy. They are always there on the sidelines, ready to cheer on their team through the highs and lows.
“I think I benefit the team by just making sure everything runs smoothly,” volleyball manager Nolan Custer said in an interview via email. “I also think I provide some energy for the team because I love to cheer them on at games and hype them up in practices.”
