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Team managers provide helping hands on and off field
Seniors Jabriee Mason, Dallas Yates and G’Lina Matthews on the bench at the home quarter-final game. While the players are on the field, Yates makes sure they stay hydrated by refilling their water bottles. “My favorite part of being the manager is standing on the sidelines watching the games,” said Yates. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE POLITTE
January 7, 2016
The alarm clock goes off early on football Saturdays for not only the football team, but also for seniors Dallas Yates and G’Lina Matthews. As managers, Yates and Matthews arrive in the school cafeteria before 8 am to serve breakfast to hungry football players. The food, catered by senior Jabriee Mason’s mother, consists of bacon, sausage patties, eggs, fruit, and pancakes. For Matthews and Yates, getting up early on football Saturdays is just part of what they do as managers to help out the football players.
Serving breakfast on football Saturdays is just one of Yates’ and Matthews’ responsibilities. They take charge of keeping the players hydrated at games and hang up their jerseys after they’re washed.
“I heard the football players talking about how they needed a manager so my best friend (Dallas Yates) and I decided to become the managers,” said Matthews.
Team managers are the glue that holds a team together. Although most of their tasks are not very glamorous, they enjoy the time they get to spend bonding with the team.
During the fall, Ashlynn Jenkins, sophomore, is out on the field hockey field for every practice and game. Jenkins became a manager because it felt like being a part of the team and she could participate in bonding activities, such as the team retreat and tournaments.
“I think the best part of being manager was going to the games and learning the sport,” said Jenkins. “It was exciting watching them at games because I would imagine myself playing.”
On the basketball court, Logan Black, freshman, supports the team and takes stats during games. She became the manager of the girls basketball team when she decided she wasn’t ready to play basketball, and becoming the manager was a good start so she could really learn the game.
“I’m not good at basketball, but I wanted to be a part of a team,” said Black.
Acting as a team manager offers many benefits, the least of which is feeling as though you belong to something bigger than yourself.
Matthews said, “Watching them grow throughout the season and become a family was the best part of being the manager.”
