From girls’ soccer to boys’ tennis, wrestling to cheerleading, basketball to football, student athletes are recognized for their participation and dedication to high school athletics. But there are other key people, behind the scenes, who don’t get the credit they deserve. They are the unsung heroes of athletics: the managers.

Managers of the sports teams are entrusted with matters of great importance. It is their task to record the score, keep track of plays, watch over the clock, and other duties, depending on which sport they are managing. Managers attend every game, and travel with the team to away games.

According to Varsity basketball coach, Doug Fraser, they are “just as important as any player for the success of the program as a whole.”

On the basketball team, duties include filming games, keeping the scorebook, and track of statistics. “We’ve been blessed with personable and committed managers,” said Fraser, “and Laura King [senior] is the latest as a fine example.”

“I thought [managing] would be a good opportunity to try something new and to meet new people,” said senior Alison Sowa, who manages football. Sowa, a two-year veteran manager on the team, covers the defense. “I basically just keep track of who tackles whom on the other team, fumbles, interceptions, and yards gained or lost.”

Senior Kristen Gernux, and juniors Alexis Habiger and Erin O’Connor comprise the rest of the football management squad. “We get to catch up while supporting the team, and doing our job,” said Sowa.

Junior Matt Murphy, a rookie when it comes to sports management, began his career last year as the manager of Junior Varsity softball. He said during his time as manager, he was able to bond with his existing friends on the team and even meet new ones. “I made friends with the girls that I didn’t know, and had a great time being on the bench keeping score,” said Murphy.



But if there was a lifetime (or school-time) achievement award for sports management, the title would certainly go to four-year, two sport manager Katie Cote. Cote, a senior, has been managing both Junior Varsity and Varsity field hockey and girls’ lacrosse since she was a freshman. “I enjoy the sports, but I don’t have the commitment for the practices,” said Cote, “because I have to work after school.”

One of the perks, in Cote’s experience, during her four years as manager has been all the people she’s gotten to meet. “You get to meet really interesting characters,” Cote said. “One time, there was a manager who loved to go to the Big E every weekend to collect train pieces for his model train set. He told me all about it.”

Along with Cote on the girls’ lacrosse team, seniors Jackie Cooper and Melissa Eckman have been managing for the past three years. “You get to be involved with the team and help out. You get really involved,” Eckman said.

Students who have become managers at the high school have taken a step up from just being fans of their favorite teams. They have chosen to be as much a part of the athletic process as possible, without putting on a uniform or wearing a referee jersey. The teams are usually quite thankful for the efforts of their faithful managers.

“The team treats me as though I’m part of them,” said Cote, “although I’m always sitting on the sidelines.”

Managing, although to some may seem trivial, can be a truly rewarding experience for all involved. According to most of the managers, the feeling of success and jubilation that comes with being involved with a sports team is great, and the opportunity should be had by all that are interested.

“I mean, hello,” said Sowa, “you’re right there under the lights where all the action is taking place. It doesn’t get much better.”