You notice them on the sidelines, with the team, and at the scorers’ tables. While they may not get “in the game,” they are a key part of the team, and especially for the coaches.
Some Chaska spring team managers and coaches took some time to share thoughts on the contributions of the team manager’s role.
Boys Lacrosse
Junior Greta Sather and freshman Molly Severinson support the lacrosse team. Coach Chris Orcutt was quick to point out “most people don’t see the hard work they put in at practice and in setting up for games. It is so much more than keeping the team hydrated. They take care of it all for us.”
Sather and Severinson shared they got into being managers through family – they are cousins. Sather’s dad is a coach for Chanhassen. Sather admitted she and her dad have fun at home with that from time to time. They both acknowledged that their role has some challenges in getting everything ready and keeping things in order, but the coaches and the players are very supportive and acknowledge their hard work.
“Lacrosse has a big field, and we have to ensure the equipment is set up for each game. It takes some work, but we know it helps the team out,” Sather shared.
Boys Tennis
“They handle so many details it helps me to work with the team on their game,” stated Coach Zach Williams about the tennis team managers. “They free me up to coach and bring up things I forget. I’d be a bit lost without them.”
The tennis team has four managers: Seniors Danica Grafelman and Maddy Fouks, junior Mylie Brant, and sophomore Shraavya Davuluri.
The duties for this team are varied and involve ensuring the courts are set up and ready for each match. This includes distribution of new balls, setting up scoring trees, and communicating with coaches for both teams. The managers also handle processing scoresheets.
Many of the managers are players on the girl’s team and help in warming up and during practices.
Grafelman shared, “This gives us all an opportunity to engage in tennis in another season. The guys have a lot more strength and we use our footwork. My game is better by helping the team out.”
When asked if the girls team has members of the boys team as managers, the answer was “yes.”
Boys Volleyball
Sophomore Bridget Reiter has the distinct honor of being the first manager of the boy’s volleyball team. She stepped up to be a manager, as she is on the girl’s team and thought her knowledge of the game would be helpful in the initial season of volleyball.
Coach Sydney Dose commented, “Having Bridget with the team has been a huge help. She knows the game and can step in and help both Coach Wilson and I when we’re going over concepts. She even steps in at practices and plays with the guys.”
Some of Reiter’s key duties during games are to chart and track opposing team’s stats, which help the StormHawks coaches adjust during games. She cites the people she has met and friends she has made as one of the key benefits of being a manager for the StormHawks. She also shared that working with the coaches has given her some insights for her next season as a player.
Softball
Callie Thompson, Morgan Donahue and Clara Latour manage the softball team. Juniors Donahue and Latour are familiar faces to attendees of softball games as they sit near the dugout, handle PA announcements, and run the scoreboard. Thompson helps with various activities in the dugout before and during games.
Head Coach Dennis Draughn praises his managers.
“Morgan and Clara keep our fans informed of what’s going on,” he said. “Callie always takes care of anything anyone needs. Our team is very fortunate to have such a great team.”
When asked why they volunteered to be managers, Latour said, “To be with the people and my friends. On nice days, it’s great to be out here in the spring weather. We know we help out and well it’s just fun!”
It is quite evident that team managers play a vital role for each of these teams. They enjoy the camaraderie and being associated with their teams. And the team coaches are beyond appreciative of their efforts and acknowledge it gives each of them extra time to coach.
