Most of the time at Staples, being a part of a team feels like being a part of a family. Not only are these families made up of the athletes, but the coaches and managers, too.

“I was truly honored that they let me be a part of it even if it was for only one season,” Sydney Newman ’15, one of the varsity football managers for this past season, said.

Varsity soccer player, Addy Fowle ’15, appreciates the important role her team’s manager, Sam Kratky ’15, played and said that Kratky, “was our number one supporter and our good luck charm because we always won when she was there.”

In addition to being supportive of the team, Zach Feinstein ’15 said he is most greateful to the boys’ varsity basketball managers for providing water during timeouts. “I get really thirsty, and it’s always nice to have them there,” Feinstein said.

Boys’ varsity soccer coach, Dan Woog also finds managers to be an integral part of a team. “They help us out on game days. They are friends with our players, and it’s great to have them around,” he said.

With the managers constantly keeping score and taking stats, one might think it would be challenging to bond with the athletes. However, according to one of the girls’ varsity volleyball managers, Jonas Piekara ’16, becoming close with the players was easy. “Since I play volleyball myself, it was pretty easy to relate to the team and, during the season, I definitely felt like I was a part of the squad,” Piekara said.

However, if managers do not play a sport, like Blair Gould ’15, they can still relate to the athletes. “Even though I don’t play a sport, I know what it’s like to be dedicated to something and to put your all into it,” Gould said.

When it comes to Staples sports, athletes, coaches and managers become more than just a team. According to Newman, through the wins, the losses, the triumphs and the failures, a family is created.

“If they play a bad game I feel sad with them, and if they play a great game I feel ecstatic with them,” Newman said.