By Kiley O’Donnell
Sports Assignment Editor
While the actions of players and coaches often determine a basketball game’s outcome, a few unsung heroes on the bench tend to go under the radar.
The managers of the men’s and women’s teams attend every practice, game and road trip, taking care of the teams’ needs.
Sophomore Colden Dwaileebe is in the midst of his second year as a manager on the men’s team. His access to a successful Division I basketball program lets him see the ins and outs of the organization.
“I became a manager because I want to get into coaching, and since I don’t play, managing is a good way to get experience and knowledge,” said Dwaileebe.
Like any other manager, Dwaileebe follows a daily schedule. From rebounding for the team at practice or warm-ups, to preparing the bench for the games, he continues with the same routine for each practice and game. Dwailebee explained what he experiences on game day.
“We go to walk-through in the morning and do what we do at a normal practice. Then we have team meal a couple hours before the game. After shoot around, someone hands out the jerseys,” said Dwaileebe. “After that, we have to get to the game an hour and a half before to rebound for the team. During the game we have to get the stools out for the huddles and hand out waters and towels.”
The managers do not just help out during games at the Reilly Center. They offer crucial help on the road as well. Dwailebee travels with the team on most road trips and explained how, since there is much more to do while traveling, some situations become chaotic.
“Traveling with the team is a great learning experience and good time. It is cool to see what different college campuses and basketball facilities look like,” said Dwaileebe. “While we are on the road, it can be hectic at times because we have a lot to do with a very small amount of time. There isn’t much down time.”
Senior Tristan Slocum, a manager for the women’s team, decided to pick up the job this year. Like Dwaileebe, he has similar tasks that he has to get done on game days and during practice.
“Game day prep was an interesting part of the job,” said Slocum. “Jason [Caldwell] and I were in charge of hanging the uniforms for the girls a few hours prior to the game, preparing the bench, ordering and getting the food, filming the game, escorting the opposing team and the referees to their locker rooms, finding ball boys/girls, informing coach of the times players will be coming through as he preps, keeping some stats, and helping to hype up the team.”
Slocum became a manager this year and experienced just one season with the team. When asked why he took on the role so late in his college career and what the experience meant to him, he talked about his dream of becoming a coach and how much knowledge he has gained in such a short time.
“I wanted to be a manager my senior year because coaching basketball is the career I have wanted to go into since I was a child. Though I was only a manager for one year, I have gotten so much out of this experience,” said Slocum. “I have learned a lot about the logistics of the sport (film work, practice planning and setup and learning to balance and multitask everything I had to do with school work) and I also gained the valuable knowledge that this is what I would love to do for the rest of my life and thank everyone involved for reassuring me of my career goals.”
He will graduate in May and will not manage anymore, but that is not stopping him from following his team throughout the years to come.
“I can honestly say this has been the best experience I have ever had in my college career and I would not trade it for the world,” said Slocum. “This team, staff and my co-manager Jason Caldwell have been incredible to work with. I will never forget this amazing experience and will always love and follow this team.”
odonneke16@bonaventure.edu
