Do you have what it takes to be a successful sports manager? Queenie Chen and Ashely Mangra have been able to experience the ups and downs. Balancing their responsibilities hasn’t been so easy, but it weighed out in the success their respected sports had.
Victor Wang, coach for the JV basketball team and varsity tennis team, juggles his duties on the court as well as in the Guidance office. Being spared with little time and availability, he needs assistance to help manage the team but he can’t do it all by himself.
“Organized, dependable, initiative, and a bonus would be if they like the sport,” said Wang on what he looks for in a sport manager. A sports manager is more than a resume add on but a role crucial to the team and staff. Someone who could be dependent on attending games and practices, ensuring they are well prepared.
Queenie Chen is one of the few sport managers in the JV basketball team. Her responsibilities include managing the scoreboard and writing down the statistics throughout the game.
When asked “What is your favorite part of the job?”
“Bonding with the team and bonding with the managers and also getting close with the coach,” Queenie responded.
With having to balance her schedule, she also has to balance her relationships with the team. Chen has been successful by being close with the players and the coach. A significant trait a manager may need is their ability to get along with the team.
“She [Queenie] motivates us to keep going during practice,” said Nicholas Igiozee, JV Basketball player and freshman. Her relationship with the team shows her commitment for being there for the players’ moral boost. It can make a difference in their performance for the next game or practice.
Ashley Mangra is familiar with the role, involved in the undefeated 2024’ season with the Girls Varsity Soccer. Her role was crucial, but it all came with sacrifice.
“So during the season of soccer, there wasn’t always school around then, so when there was, I would just get ready and I would go to school, get something to eat after, and then go to practices.” Mangra stated. Sacrificing time comes with the job and means you need to prepare for the unexpected. If you’re not well prepared for managing time, it can affect your ability to manage a team.
Events can also become time consuming, especially for events like Senior Night or in this case “Pink Out Day.” Pink Out Day was hosted by the Girls Varsity Soccer Team to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. “She made it feel special because of all the support during the preparation of the game,” said Amy Garcia. Mangra helped organize shirts and other materials for the event.
Scheduling may interfere for some but that’s part of the deal when taking such a position. In many cases, there is more than one manager operating so time management is easier. Time may vary from sport to sport but the expectation is to be there for the team’s needs.
To take on such a role, the process is simple to an extent. It begins with one showing interest in the title of being a sport manager to the respectful sport coach. Reaching out via in-person or through email can definitely start the application process. You can find tryout dates for the sports team in your graduating google-classroom page (Ex. Class of 2026). For more details, you look in the athletics tab on the Edison website or contact [email protected].
Thomas A. Edison High School offers 22 Varsity sport teams and they all have different needs. A sports manager is someone who helps the team by handling organization, equipment, and game-related tasks to support the coaches and players. With most seasons lasting two months of the year, it requires commitment and availability for the team.
