Renowned for its exceptional athletics and star athletes, WCHS takes pride in its sports. However, a crucial part of WCHS sports is often overlooked—the behind-the-scenes organizers and glue of every team: sports team managers.
“I wasn’t able to play volleyball my senior year due to an injury I suffered in my junior season,” WCHS senior Maya Singh said. “I wanted to stay involved with the sport I love in any way I could so I decided to become a manager of the Girls Varsity volleyball team!”
While some students decide to become managers because they were previously involved in the sport, WCHS senior Sabrina Chou simply wanted to try something new her senior year by becoming the manager of the Varsity swim and dive team.
“My favorite thing about being a manager is getting to take part in the sports culture without having to compete,” Chou said. “I do two other sports during the fall and spring seasons, and while I love taking part in those sports, it can definitely get tiring and be a lot of pressure sometimes. I wanted to find a team to contribute to and become part of while having a relaxed attitude.”
Regardless if one is already familiar with or new to the sport, being a team manager can be an eye-opening experience. Although not playing on the court or competing in a race, both Singh and Chou play a vital role in helping games and meets run smoothly.
“I go to the swim and dive meets about once a week and write relay cards and take splits during relays,” Chou said. “I’ve never had any difficulty balancing this with my other commitments because there are other managers in case you can’t go to the meet.”
In addition to helping operational elements on the team, Singh and Chou also help create a positive and welcoming atmosphere as managers. From an outsider’s perspective, they can connect with the team and the crowd right from the sidelines.
“[My role as a manager include] being the team’s biggest supporter, having a lot of energy while cheering on the bench and posting highlights and upcoming games on social media,” Singh said. “It’s important to have social and communication skills and have an understanding of the people on the team and the sport you are managing.”
Even though Singh and Chou have numerous responsibilities, they appreciate the job’s flexibility and low time commitment while also still being very much involved in the team and sport. They especially enjoy the team’s bond on and off the court.
“It’s been fascinating to see how a different sports team interacts because the swim and dive team is smaller and has more established traditions than the other teams I’ve been part of,” Chou said. “Last weekend, we ‘kidnapped’ the freshmen and went to Silver Diner to eat, which was a lot of fun. Little random moments like that are amazing to watch because the swim team has great camaraderie.”
For those interested in becoming a sports team manager, Singh and Chou highly recommend putting oneself out there and trying it, whether one wants to learn about the sport itself or experience a different kind of community.
“I would recommend being a manager for a sports team to anyone, especially seniors,” Chou said. “It’s a fun way to make new memories, hang out with your friends and try something different without any pressure.”
