Just like in any show or movie, you have people running around in the background, unnoticed, and making things happen. This is just like the managers of the football team. The four managers, Keegan Dean, Keri Harlow, Alexa Theis, and Julia Rush are all seniors. Next year they will be leaving behind four open spots for new managers. Their time as managers has brought them a lot of great memories and helped their work ethic. 

“Sometimes I think we are more invested than some of the guys,” Harlow said. 

“If you listen to the varsity games you can hear us doing one of two things, yelling at the guys to back up (because they have to stand behind a certain line) or we’re yelling at the guys to hype the team up or we are the loudest ones hyping up the team,” Dean said.

They are an essential part of the team, they set up music and jerseys, put stickers on helmets and take attendance every practice and game. For them, one of the most difficult parts of being a manager was gaining the respect of the team, especially to the three current female managers. 

“Although it’s not all of them, sometimes no one listens or when we yell at them to go behind the lines, they call us certain things,” said one of the managers, who prefers to remain unnamed. Whether this is body language or just in response to how they treat the managers, sometimes the team can come off as ungrateful, unaware of all that they do.

Though that’s not always the case, certain patterns of disrespect are prevalent. Other than that, the team has a great atmosphere and supports each other. Through managing the sport, they have become great friends with some of the players and can be right there to support their friends. Their favorite part is traveling to away games and the energy of the games.

“Having that experience and building up those experiences have been the best,” Rush said. “They’ve become my best friends.”

For those who may want to be managers next year, the current managers offered words of advice: 

“If the coaches tell you to do something, do it,” Dean said. “If you need help ask Coach Grissinger. Have fun with it, don’t make it a chore. If you don’t want to be there, then don’t be there.”

 “Know your worth,” Harlow said. “Don’t be afraid to tell them off and stand your ground.”

For the rest of the season, they are looking forward to winning more games and making more memories along the side of the field. If you or a friend have ever been interested in football, think about managing next year.