Is being a team manager just standing on the side line and making sure everyone is hydrated? Is it more than just having to travel with the team and help them carry their bags? Being a team manager is a role that is required on every team and often goes overlooked. On every athletic team at Jefferson, there is at least one team manager and this person’s job is to do what the head coach and players can’t do on their own without any outside help.
Zoe Hall, the JHS competitive dance team manager, gave some of the details of what it really takes to be a team manager and what often goes overlooked. When asked about what her main responsibilities are on the team she mentioned that she helps with music production, the girls’ with their hair and makeup, and the uniforms and poms for the pom team. Things like music production are details that no one really seems to notice until it goes wrong. If that were to happen, not only does it stop the team from dancing, but it also postpones the competition until the music can get started. As someone who has watched many high school dance competitions, it never really occurred to me that someone who wasn’t a coach or obviously a dancer was controlling the music.
When Zoe was asked what she does to help keep the team managed and in order, she went on to explain that she makes sure every dancer is where they are supposed to be, wearing what they are supposed to, and on time. She additionally makes sure that every dancer is well-fed and hydrated. When hearing this, it can be easy to assume that high school girls can take care of themselves and wouldn’t need someone organizing their lives. While that is true, having an extra pair of helping hands to even be able to run and get a snack is greatly appreciated. Having someone who is not a performing dancer or a coach is beneficial to having that 3rd person point of view and making sure that everything is running smoothly.
Having the role of team manager, though challenging sometimes, is both rewarding and fun.
