Managing The Minutemen

Dustin Dobbs with Minnesota Timberwolves 2011 Draft Pick Derrick Williams

Dustin Dobbs post:

I am entering my sophomore year at UMass, and I absolutely love what I do with the team. What most people (non-managers) don't realize is how much bitch work it actually is (sorry, couldn't find another word, but you get what I'm saying). After this season, I am slated to become the head manager for my junior year and senior year. Managing is something I look forward to everyday, and miss a lot during the summer. It has taught me many things like the importance of commitment which has become to define who I am. It has also opened a whole new door to my world and made me realize I want to become a college level coach.

Something most students at school and non-managers in general don't realize is that often times the managers aren't best friends with the D-I basketball players. Sometimes I think that's the only reason people want to do it, so they can say they know "so and so" or are friends with the team. Yes we obviously get to know them and build a relationship with them, but as a manager you become closer with other managers and coaches. You also get far more respect from the coaches than the players.

Derek Kellogg (Head Coach)

When I got to school in the fall of '10 I knew that I wanted to get involved with the basketball team in whatever way possible, but didn't really know about managerial positions or the nature of managing. In the first couple weeks of school, I randomly met one of the assistant managers at a party, who later ended up dropping out, and asked him about it. He got me in contact with the head manager and one of the assistant coaches. I told them I was interested and they told me to come to practice the next day.

Here at UMass there are two head managers, who are entering their senior year, and then there are about 3 or 4 assistants (including myself) that show up on a constant basis. There are a few others who are in and out randomly, and a lot of others who drop out.

I help out the team and coaches in whatever way possible. Some of my responsibilities include rebounding for players during practice or individual workout sessions, and preparing and organizing the set up and clean up of practices. I also am responsible for game day operations like preparing the court, operating the clock, filming games (or practices), preparing water coolers, escorting the visiting team, and giving out towels on the bench. If needed, I also step into practice to help execute a drill.

Commitment and dedication have gone a long way for me already, opening many new doors to my life. The best piece of advice I was given as a manager was from my head manager who told me "sleep is overrated" along with "always keep your phone on loud". This is a valuable lesson to me because as a manager you truly are expected to be reliable at any point of the day, whether it's a late night work out or an unexpected 6am practice / conditioning session.

This summer I worked the Derek Kellogg Basketball School at UMass, along with the Sydney Johnson Basketball Camp at Fairfield University (CT). I also did private lessons and clinics in my home town (Westport, CT) working with local coach Mike Garrity of Mike Garrity Basketball.

My favorite game as a manager would probably be our 2010-2011 home opener against Rider. We were down 22 with 16 minutes left and any sort of comeback seemed highly improbable. We ended up winning by 10 thanks to our senior guard Anthony Gurley who scored 31 points, and Freddie Riley who also scored a career high 28 points. We went on a 40-9 run in the second half, and I have never seen a team and fan base with more energy in my life. This helped spark a 7-0 start for us.

Being a manager has taught me the importance of dedication and commitment, which I will take with me wherever I go in life, hopefully into the coaching profession. I have also learned all the little things and hard work that may go unnoticed, eventually pay off. Another thing being a manager has taught me is that it is important to do what you love in life, even if the hours are bad, there's a lot of small unrecognized work, and you are often doing things outside of your comfort zone.

Lastly and most importantly I will take with me the valuable contacts, friends, colleagues I have met along my journey. I have only been through one season so far but have already made great friends in the other managers, met many coaches, and built great relationships with people in the business, that may be important to me down the road.

Check out this video highlighting the UMass Student Managers: