Westfield High School (WHS) football has always been more than a game. It is more than a game for the players, coaches, managers, trainers, and believe it or not, the fans. As managers, we remind ourselves that while we cannot change the outcome of the game, we can enhance the experience for everyone by doing our jobs efficiently and to the best of our ability. We have had front-row seats to all the action, watching and feeling the love and commitment this team has for one another. The managers of WHS football are unique in the way we perform tasks that few other teams can say they do. As signalers, we are responsible for communicating plays from the coaches to the players by using our form of sign language—a task that requires precision, focus and the ability to stay calm under pressure. It is a thrill to be a strategic part of the team, knowing that each signal contributes to the collective effort on the field. Although this is a key role, it isn’t the only position Westfield managers fill.
There are countless things behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t get to see. As managers, we have prominent roles that vary from things like inventory, organizing equipment rooms and jerseys, repairing equipment, giving out practice schedules, handling footballs, etc. Laundry is a weekly task that demands teamwork. We handle washing, drying, hanging, and folding all the pants and jerseys. When Thursday arrives, a team of managers work together to refold the items and place them neatly in front of the players’ lockers. While these are all vital tasks, one of the most important is filming the games and practices. Filming includes operating drones, capturing footage on iPads for closer views, recording from the press box, and creating highlight reels for the end of-the-year video. The hard work put in by the managers goes beyond pushing stop and start on a camera; we capture every play, movement and moment to provide valuable insights for coaches and players. Through this, the team can analyze strengths, identify areas for improvement and prepare for upcoming opponents.
Managing a football team offers a unique opportunity to develop life skills like teamwork, problem-solving skills, grit, dedication and communication. Teamwork is at the core, as managers collaborate with players, coaches and other staff to ensure the team operates smoothly. Problem-solving skills are sharpened through tackling unexpected challenges, such as last-minute equipment needs or scheduling conflicts. Grit and dedication are cultivated by the consistent effort required to support the team through practices, games and everlasting seasons. Communication becomes a cornerstone, as managers must effectively convey information and build relationships with a variety of personalities. Together, these experiences provide a foundation of resilience and leadership that we as managers can carry into every aspect of our lives.
This season, we had the privilege of welcoming two new members to the Westfield football staff! This year was our first season with Alexa Sucharetza and Deona Smith. Miss Sucharetza works behind the scenes, conducting weekly grade checks with players and providing tutoring sessions to ensure they receive the academic support they need. Along with academics, she also sends out our monthly depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS) survey which is a 21-item self-report taken by the players to check in on negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and tension/stress. Mrs. D. played an incredible role this year, working closely with the managers as a mentor and a coach. She is in charge of ensuring the managers get where they need to be and ensuring everyone is doing their jobs to the absolute best of their ability. In the off season, these wonderful women will gear up for the next season by conducting interviews and reviewing applications to find the best-fit candidates for the manage team.
The outstanding coaching staff and remarkably talented players win the games on Friday nights, but it is the managers who help get them where they need to be. Though on the surface it could be inferred that we play a small role through signaling and filming, we truly are one of the only things that keep the team on time and in its prime. Westfield football managers dedicate a significant portion of their lives to the program and are just as integral to the team as the players. We are a part of the Westfield family, and families hold each other accountable and help one another. The managers hold the WHS football team responsible and help them be the best they can be, and it isn’t the same without its managers.
