Everybody knows a team manager or two, but what you might not know is what that job might entail. All we see is a girl sitting on the sidelines, but they do way more than just that. You might have a few ideas, but we wanted to take an in-depth look at their roles on the team.

Your first question may be, how can a student contribute to a sports team without actually playing on it? Team managers do a lot more than you probably think. Claire Cody, a junior, who manages the gymnastics team for Stamford High School, explains that she “calculates each individual’s overall score, helps organize team events and fundraisers, and takes pictures during events.” That seems like a lot more than what we see when attending games or meets. Olivia Locker, a senior, who manages both the boys basketball and lacrosse team states, “I have to help practice run smoothly by organizing uniforms, running the clock, providing water, and working beside the coaches.” Having a team manager alongside coaches seems like a huge help during busy and chaotic seasons. 

All of the team managers questioned had similar answers when asked why they decided to be one. Shayla Pensiero, a junior, who is the varsity baseball manager states, “I get to be involved in a spring sport.” While managers have free time during their off seasons, they get the opportunity to be involved in other sports without actually playing. “I decided to be a manager because I thought it would be a good way to build my resume for college”, states Keyla De Jesus, manager of the boys junior varsity and varsity basketball team. By playing this role, it allows students to “strengthen their skills for future jobs,”states Emily Sasser, manager of boys varsity lacrosse. 

Overall, are team managers necessary for a high school sports team? “These little details would not be done to satisfaction if it was left to the coaches. They have enough on their plate, and trying to do everything at once can become overwhelming,” states Sasser. Coaches already have a lot of priorities to take care of, and having someone there to help out and lend an extra hand is a great bonus. Without team managers things wouldn’t run as smoothly on the court and field.