A s the men’s basketball season approaches, players will begin going to practice  everyday after school and playing games on most weekends. Yet, these players are not the only ones putting in time on the court. For the last three years, Kyle Yost, men’s basketball manager and senior, has helped the basketball team win on and off the court.
“I think it’s an honor. It’s not something everybody gets to do. It’s kind of behind the scenes, so you might not get as much recognition as the players or coaches, but that is not really what it’s about for me. I want to be a part of the team and help the team to succeed,” Yost said.
The 2015-2016 season will be Yost’s fourth season.
Yost said, “I played football freshman year, and I got injured a lot. I was always in the training room, and I thought the trainers were really cool. I wanted to get more involved than just being a trainer, so I went to Saturday practices.”
Yost began showing up to all of the practices and was always willing to help the coaches. After this, he decided to take on a different role during his sophomore year. Wanting to become more than a trainer, Yost had his eyes set on managing the varsity team.
According to Yost, one must recognize what a manager is in order to understand their behind the scenes, but essential roles on the team.
“Me and my team (fellow managers), we describe our role as anything the players and coaches don’t do. So, washing uniforms, setting up for games, sweeping the floor or setting up the clock,” Yost said.
Yost is part of a team of managers, each of them has a specific job.
“Every day we have separate jobs to do,” Yost said. “For example, I sweep the floor so the players’ sneakers don’t get dirty, and then I set up the clock for practice. The junior manager, Jake, he lowers all the baskets straight after school and helps (Head) Coach (Scott Heady) with anything he needs. Tyler Freeze, he fills the water bottles, which takes the longest amount of time. Then he brings them out.”
Once practice begins, a manager’s role can bring some unexpected responsibilities. Heady explained.
“If we need any help in practice, you know, if the coaches need anything, like getting a pad out and beating on our post guys, we use our managers in practice, and Kyle is always willing to do those things,” Heady said.
Yost said he enjoys jumping in on practice, but being a manager can have its own challenges. He said the biggest of these is time management. After a full day of managing, finding the time for the simplest tasks can be difficult.
“Obviously, you want a life outside of basketball, but sometimes with your schedule some weeks can be harder than others. It’s just time management,” Yost said.
He said the hardest task when managing is balancing schoolwork. During practices, most of Yost’s fellow managers will bring homework and textbooks and do their assignments when they can get a break.
According to Yost, as important as it is to manage time, having a good attitude and relationship with the players and coaching staff is equally necessary.
“I know a lot of the players on a personal level. I have classes with them, and I know them outside of school. My relationship with the coaches is really good. Coach Heady and me get along well, and if there is anything me or the guys need, we can go to him,” Yost said.
It is this relationship with the coach and the players that has allowed Yost to become so successful as a manager.
Heady said, “Our players understand that our managers are part of the team and not a separate entity. He (Yost) takes pride in what he does, first of all. He takes pride in his role and understands the importance of it. What the managers basically do is they make everything run smooth.”
“There are a lot of things that they do that honestly some guys would not be willing to do,” Heady said. “Some may feel that those jobs are below them, but they (the managers) understand that what they are doing is important to our everyday routine. So it’s great to have guys like Kyle.”
Yost said that he has loved his tenure as a manager, and the last few years have given him some great memories.
“(The) State (Championship in 2013) is probably my biggest (memory); it was unlike anything else I ever felt in my life. It was kind of like a culmination of 26 other games that season, and the months and months of work all coming down to that. We ended up playing a really good game, and it was just a really happy moment for everybody,” Yost said.
The memories provide him with something to smile about, but Yost does recognize that his time as manager is coming to an end. So, with senior year soon entering its second semester, he ended his interview with some advice for the incoming managers.
“I mean, just enjoy it, don’t make it a painful process. You’re obviously going to be there for five months a season and then just get along with team,” Yost said. “You don’t want to cause trouble, and you don’t want to get in fights with players or coaches. Also, communication is important; make sure everyone is on the same page. Overall, have fun.”