Managing At The Naval Academy

Kevin Darby's post, manager at Navy:
 
I wasn't suppose to be a student manager at the United States Naval Academy. I wasn't planning on it, anyway.

I had already been there and done that. After getting cut from the freshman basketball tam at Lancaster Catholic High School, in Lancaster, PA, the head coach of the varsity squad, Coach Joe Klazas asked me to be their manager. I learned a lot about basketball that year from Coach Klazas, but I also learned a lot more about leadership---tools I would use in the future when I least expected it. But it was an umpopular position, by freshman standards at least. You weren't "cool" unless you were actually on the team and we all know how high school kids can be, so after the season I decided to quit my role as manager and try out again, this time for the JV team. I worked my tail off, and sophomore year I made the team. It was an unbelievable feeling. The problem was I didn't play much and basketball was taking time away from my primary sport, baseball. So for the next two seasons I focused on baseball and just played hoops for my church team.

After being named a First Team Section All-Star my senior year as a second basemen, I had an offer or two from some DII/DIII schools, but I instead chose to attend the Naval Academy upon receiving my appointment. Despite not being recruited by the Academy, I figured I'd give tryouts a shot. Getting cut from the team was a tough pill to swallow, especially because I had been playing baseball every year since I was 5 years old. I wasn't ready to accept the fact that I might be done playing organized baseball.

It just so happened that the same week I got cut from the baseball team I received an email from Assistant Coach Aaron Goodman from the Navy varsity basketball team seeking managers for the upcoming season. The Brigade-wide email may have generated little interest as a whole, I was hooked. I'm almost positive I replied to him right away. Even though basketball had been completely, and I mean completely, on the back-burner, it was an opportunity to get involved and do something I had knowledgeable experience in. I had an interview with Coach Goody, as we affectionately call him, the following week. The rest is history.

Two short years later, we now have, including myself, three returning managers from last season and at least three more joining our family for the upcoming year. I use the word "family" because that's exactly what we are -- a small, tight-knit group of best friends. While other, larger programs in the ACC and Big East have separate film crews, equipment staff, and at least 37 ball boys on each court, the six of us to it all. And as any student manager at any school will tell you, we run the show.

As managers, we get to practice early to set up and we stay late to break down; the first to come and the last to leave. Each manager on the floor has a ball and a towel in hand, prepared for the errant pass out of bounds or the sweatiest player on the team taking a charge in the lane. We film practice and keep track of "hustle" stats and free throw logs. We run the scoreboard to keep time and score of drills and scrimmages. I like to sum it up by saying we simply make the coaches' and players' lives easier. We also help our head equipment manager  Shelby Scholz with the team's laundry, be it for a routine practice or a long road trip over three days in Southern California.

Much like the Naval Academy itself, you can't get through managing alone. It takes a team effort, and my success as a manager has come from being able to lean on others for support, as well as supporting them in return: coaches, players, and managers alike. The best way I've found to measure that success is in another's level of trust in you to get the job done right, the first time; another's willingness to rely on you for a task, no matter how big or how small.

Greg Paulus

The best advice I ever received as a manager came from Greg Paulus, the former point guard who starred at Duke and got his Master's degree while playing a year as quarterback at Syracuse. Last year as an assistant at the Academy, Greg taught me not just about basketball, but important life lessons as well. He said, "Life is all about relationships and how you interact with people. And make sure you always take care of your people." That kind of advice certainly transcends basketball, but it definitely applies to every on-court, locker room, and equipment room scenario in our day-to-day lives as student managers. Wise words from a good friend like Greg are never far apart, and I've always appreciated his knowledge and insight. I wish him the best of luck at Ohio State.

Navy has played in some amazing games in my two seasons as manager. Our highest profile game was last season's opener in Austin, TX against the Longhorns on ESPN as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. That was an unbelievable atmosphere for our Patriot League team, and we stuck with them for about 25 minutes, too. But there is no question which game means most to us at Navy. The Army-Navy game is head and shoulders above the rest. Alumni Hall in Annapolis, MD is jam-packed with raucous midshipmen and cadets dying to bring home not only the coveted Star Trophy, but most importantly: bragging rights.

 At the home game against West Point my freshman year, we were facing an early deficit, but went on a run to end the half to bring it back to a 5-point game. At halftime, our football team was honored by accepting the Commander-In-Chief's trophy as the best service academy on the field that year. Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo spoke and reminded Navy fans, "We were down at halftime too," referring to the Army-Navy football game that had taken place one month earlier. Navy eventually won that game 17-3 for a then 7th straight time. "This game isn't over!" he exclaimed. The building erupted and of course we went on to win on the shoulders of Chris Harris's outstanding 30-point performance.

I've learned so much from being a manager: time management, organization, responsibility, and leadership skills that, coupled with my naval training over four years here at the Academy, will undoubtedly prepare me for what lies ahead after graduation. And after that? Who knows? My ultimate goal in life is to be happy and successful. Cookie-cutter yearbook answer right? After my time in the Navy I'd love to remain involved in basketball. Ask anyone I know and they'll tell you how much I'd give to be a coach. They'll probably also tell you how good I tell everyone I'd be. Being able to pick the brains of some of the great ones I 've had the fortunate of being associated with has certainly sparked my interest. No matter what I end up doing, it's my goal to always enjoy what it is I do, and do it with passion.

If I could give managers at other schools my own advice, I'd tell them after each practice, game, etc. to take a step back and enjoy and be proud of what you do. It's often a thankless job, with zero glamor or sex appeal. But that's not why we'd do it anyway. It's for the greater good, the success of the team, and being a part of something bigger than yourself. So on long days, when the gym is hot and smelly and so is the dirty laundry, and coach is hounding you, and you have a paper due, and two tests tomorrow, step back and recognize how important and vital your role is. And always take care of your people.

I wasn't suppose to be a manager at Navy. But on second thought, maybe I was.

Article on Darby: Darby ['13] Finds Basketball And Possible Future

Check out this trick shot video by the Navy Manager's: