While the Hastings High School athletic team manager program is not new, it has experienced some recent changes. Athletic Director Andrew Wendol states, “We have had team managers for the teams since the start of Athletics. I just promoted it more and added community service this year to try to get more interest in students becoming managers. Some teams struggle getting managers so hopefully this helps the coach and team out.” Wendol also states, “Teams have always had team managers to help with the book and stats but sometimes it is difficult for coaches to find managers. In order to help, I set up the opportunities for students to earn community service they need for graduation, resumes, and college applications.”
The responsibilities of a team manager range from doing the scoreboard and collecting stats, helping fill water, setting up fields, and organizing team bonding activities. Managers are considered to be an essential part of the team. They are responsible for keeping track of their own hours and submitting their paperwork to Mr. Wendol, who gives it to the Guidance Department.
“I manage the entire athletic department,” says Mr. Wendol, “so I try to figure out ways to help all the coaches/teams out to make their programs even better. Coaches are in charge of guiding the managers as they need. If any student would like to be a team manager, then they just email the coach or me to see if they can manage the team.”
Students sign up to be team manager for a variety of reasons. “Some that like sports but don’t play for some reason (injured, maybe don’t make the team, not their thing, etc), some are interested in a future in sports management and others like to help their friends team out and/or be a part of a team,” states Mr. Wendol.
Students have various reasons for signing up for the team manager program. Mariam Soliman, manager of varsity girls soccer states, “I joined because I like soccer and it’s a sport I know and understand which helps me when taking down stats in the notebook. Other than community hours, I get to sit with my friends who are on the team on the bench and support the others on the field.” Meanwhile, Emily Colletti, a tenth grader, signed up for the program since she is not playing sports this season, but still wanted to do something sports related. Soccer is her preferred sport, and being a varsity boys team manager felt like a good fit for her.
Lucy Benno, varsity girls volleyball manager, hopes to study sports management or sports marketing in college. This is her first year as a volleyball team manager, which she is doing while she is injured. “I signed up to be the volleyball team manager because I played volleyball for the past five years. This year I wasn’t able to finish tryouts due to a shoulder injury. I still wanted to contribute to the team even though I’m unable to play,” she states. While Emi D’Agostino, a tenth grader, has future plans that aren’t sports related, she decided to become a varsity boys soccer team manager to fulfill community service hours. However, she said that she found being a manager “surprisingly fun and entertaining.” As a soccer player herself, this comes naturally as she’s already familiar with the rules of the sport.
Going forward, Mr. Wendol hopes to have a team manager for all sports programs. He would like students to be aware that it is a great community service and resume building opportunity, as well as a chance to be part of a team.
Benjamin • Oct 31, 2024 at 1:34 pm
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