I was the men’s basketball team manager of The Master’s University Mustangs from 2010-14 and worked with Chuck Martin who was the head coach and Chris Connolly who was the assistant coach. During my 4 seasons with the Mustangs the team won 70 games overall and 26 games in GSAC play. The GSAC is one of the best conferences in the NAIA every year.

Each year we had 2 to 4 players who could average 10 plus points per game. During my senior season we had 6 players who averaged 9 or more points per game. During each of my 4 seasons, the Mustangs held opponents to under 70 points and under 45% shooting from the field per game.

Just like the coaches who made practice plans and game plans throughout the season and players who practiced hard and played hard in the games, Here are some of the tasks I had during practices and games as team manager.

Responsibilities as team manager during practices

1. I set up practices by placing jump ropes out for players to do cardio work and mats out for players to stretch on.
2. I sometimes mopped the floor to have the court be clean for the players during practice.
3. I filled up water bottles throughout practice so players would stay hydrated throughout practice.
4. I setup the shot clock and ran it during drills.
5. I sometimes got into drills as a player on defense or offense.
6. I rebounded for and passed to players to shootaround before and after practices.
7. I made a post practice drink for the players to help them recover well.
8. I did whatever else players or coaches asked of me throughout practices to help.
9. I watched film with the team in preparation for games to come.
10. I washed the practice gear and put them in the lockers of each player to be ready for the next practice.

Responsibilities as team manager during games

1. I would make sure every player was on the bus on time.
2. I would setup the lockers of each individual player with their game gear including shorts, jerseys, shooting shirts, socks, etc.
3. If players needed hot pads to warm up their knees then I would bring them to the players.
4. I rebounded for the players in pregame shootaround.
5. I checked the clock as the coaches prepared the team before the game and told the coaches and players when there was 5 minutes left before the game so they could do the final shootaround.
6. I filled water bottles up for each player so they would stay hydrated and perform at their best each game.
7. I folded their shooting shirts and kept them near me in case they needed them when the went to the bench.
8. I cheered on the team and encouraged the players throughout the game.
9. I put the players uniforms and gear in a bag and washed them after games.
10. I made post game drinks for the players to help them recover. I also brought the players their sandwiches or other dinners after games that the coaches brought.

Reasons I chose to be a college basketball team manager 

1. I have always been a basketball fan but was not a good enough player to play in college and I wanted to continue my basketball career so I met coach Martin at the job fair at the Master’s University and told him I wanted to work with the team and the Lord allowed me to work with the team for 4 seasons.
2. I got to work with tremendous basketball players who are now coaches, trainers, players in the pros and having success in the business world.
3. I made lifelong friends with the players I worked with because we all have love for Jesus and for hoops.