Feb. 13, 2013

by Nikki Philpot

On this season's roster, we see the names of five coaches and 16 players who work hard day in and day out to put forth successful performances. We do not see the names of four team managers who take care of what goes on behind the scenes to help prepare for that success.

With the regular season winding down, we would like to highlight these remarkable students for their selfless commitment and dedication to the men's basketball program: Janelle Fritz, Caroline Davis, John O'Brien, and Ian Klinger.

Although diverse in both years of experience and reasons for interest in the position, Fritz, Davis, O'Brien, and Klinger share one essential thread: day in and day out, they combine to do whatever it takes to ensure that the Hawks are prepared for each moment - from Monday morning practices to Saturday evening games.

Before we jump into the plethora of responsibilities held by collegiate basketball team managers, let's meet the four who understand, respect, and excel at the job.

Fritz and Davis are senior sports marketing majors in their fourth and third seasons, respectively, with the men's basketball program. Fritz, a former athlete herself at Pottstown High School, took care of statistics for the boys' basketball team. Always intrigued by the magic that is athletics, the freshman version of Fritz found herself wanting to be a part of Hawk basketball.

"I'm really interested and passionate about sports," said Fritz of her decision to become a team manager. "That's where it stemmed from...I wanted involvement in the team aspect."

While Fritz's experiences with and enthusiasm for athletics inspired her to come out for a managerial position, it was Davis's direct connection with the men's basketball team that brought her on board. Davis has known Director of Basketball Operations Rob Sullivan for nine years, dating back to when her father, who at the time worked security for Saint Joseph's, guarded the men's locker room during "Sully's" senior season. Fast-forward five years and freshman Davis was watching the Crimson and Gray from the student section until Sullivan discussed with her the opportunity to become involved through a managerial position.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

O'Brien and Klinger are both juniors in their third and second seasons, respectively. When asked how a food marketing major became involved in the management of a Division I basketball program, O'Brien explained what we all know - once a Hawk fan, always a Hawk fan.

"I was a diehard fan of Saint Joseph's basketball growing up," explained O'Brien. "And here I am now."

Klinger is in just his second year with the Hawks this season. As his father coached and he himself played throughout high school, Klinger grew up with basketball and didn't want that to change when he entered college. Wanting to be back around the sport he loved, Klinger discovered the successful program that is Saint Joseph's basketball.

Managers are required to meet the expectations of the team, and all four work hard to handle the day-to-day responsibilities that accompany the position. Just as the players do, the managers experience pressure and stress to perform; for them, that pressure is behind-the-scenes, in order to prevent chaos.

We see what they do during home games. So tonight, let's hit the road.

For away games, responsibilities vary and encompass small details that, if overlooked, could cause major problems.

Davis takes charge of packing all game-day, practice, and extra jerseys, as one could expect. But the point of a manager is to take that extra step in order to prepare for the unexpected - even if for something as seemingly little as socks.

"Someone always manages to forget one of their socks," said Davis. "We always throw in some extra socks."

From packing extra towels and preparing the team bags to making sure everyone is present at the time of departure, the team managers admit that sometimes, situations can become overwhelming. Davis discussed the challenges she expected would present themselves last week after returning from Dayton late Wednesday evening and heading off to Massachusetts Friday morning.

"Sometimes it can get crazy," she explained. "Especially this week, with back-to-back away games that are so distant from one another. Flying makes it crazy, with loading and unloading and making sure that everything gets to where it needs to be and that the coaches and players all have everything they need for the game."

O'Brien always packs his camera and extra long extension cord ("Sometimes they stick you up in the rafters," laughed Davis) to ensure that his job - filming the game - goes off without a hitch. If the game is one of the 17 televised games scheduled for this season, O'Brien is required to obtain a copy of the video and deliver it to SJU video coordinator Spencer Westemeier in order for him to break down the game.

Above all items that must be packed for each road game, there is one particular piece of equipment that takes top priority.

"Most important," Davis stressed, "is Coach Martelli's stool so he can sit down [during timeouts]."

While Fritz, Davis, and O'Brien take on the responsibility of the team as a whole during games, sitting behind the bench to keep the players hydrated and coaches pleased, the fourth manager has another job to do.

The fourth manager...is flapping.

In a tradition that has spanned 56 years, Klinger is the 34th student to represent the university as its men's basketball mascot - an honor that holds great importance to him.

"It means a lot to me," said Klinger of his opportunity to play the role of The Hawk. "I represent and symbolize what the school is and what it stands for. You don't ever see my face but I'm still representing the school. My actions have an impact on the whole school - not just basketball."

As The Hawk, Klinger "flies" in figure eights around the court during halftime and "flaps his wings" for the entirety of his time on the court, which was once measured as approximately 3,500 flaps during a regulation game. To prepare for this physical challenge, Klinger explained that over the summer, when he would perform at events in the Hawk costume, he would do small little workouts to get, as he says, "flap ready". However, by just the second game of the season, Klinger was feeling the true physicality required to flap for such an extended period of time.

"In the beginning, I had a few rough games," Klinger admitted. "After Notre Dame, I slept the whole next day. I was tired after the overtime game...now, I'm used to it."

Post-game, the crew is hungry, and Klinger and Fritz take charge of the ordering, delivery, and distribution of food while the team boards the bus. And in the midst of that chaos, all managers ensure that they are keeping each other sane.

"We make sure the four of us keep each other in check and that we're triple checking everything," said Davis. "Sometimes it can get crazy. We have to remember that just because it went smoothly one time doesn't mean it's going to go smoothly the next time, so we have to separate experiences."

They are good at their jobs, and that doesn't go unnoticed, from the coaching staff to the players.

"Every year when we start to discuss the things that have gone well with the program, we can begin and end the conversation with the managers," said head coach Phil Martelli. "This year's group is no different. They truly are our most valuable players."

"One hundred percent, I don't know how anything would get done without them," said senior guard Taylor Trevisan.

Having traveled for 13 games on the season thus far, the managers reap the same benefits as the players in terms of earning the opportunity to visit different cities, including but not limited to Baltimore, Maryland, Richmond, Virginia, and Dayton, Ohio. Fritz, Davis, and O'Brien all agree on one place as their favorite, one place to which they will hope to return for the Atlantic 10 Tournament: the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

While Fritz and O'Brien found delight in its city location and enormous size, Davis was impressed by the workers inside the venue and surprised that an NBA facility was so willing to help a college team.

"We've been to some facilities where they don't do anything for the visiting team," explained Davis, "but their staff was so nice. One guy who works for the Nets helped organize us getting our jerseys washed and making sure our locker rooms were taken care of. He was really nice, and the overall experience was cool."

As juniors with an additional season before graduation, O'Brien and Klinger are eager to return next season. For Fritz and Davis, their journeys as Saint Joseph's team managers will end at the conclusion of this season. With seven combined years of experience between them, Fritz and Davis have excelled in their positions during their time here on Hawk Hill and have found their experiences to be advantageous to both their personal and professional lives.

"I wasn't familiar with the historical aspect of the team," recalled Fritz of her first year as team manager. "Being able to piece together the historical nature of the team throughout my years at Saint Joseph's and to meet former players has been neat...I'm trying to decide between professional sports or collegiate athletics, but having this background with the team that involves logistics with traveling, game management, practices, and equipment will lead me to better fulfill positions in my life."

Davis appreciates the interactions she has had and relationships she has built with the members of the men's basketball program. For Davis, it has been about the perspective.

"I like hanging out with the guys because I get to see a different side from what people normally do," she said. "I see them when they're shy, when they act like little kids, when they get excited about something. Sometimes during warm ups, [junior walk-on] Colin Kelly will dunk and all of them will get super excited...it's funny to see how much they use each other to better themselves and how they want everyone to do well."

Davis is interested in working in professional athletics but is also considering working for a sports agency or media company upon her graduation from Hawk Hill.

Tonight we will see our Hawks battle Richmond for their fifth Atlantic 10 win and third straight win at home. Behind them will stand four managers - Janelle Fritz, Caroline Davis, John O'Brien, and Ian Klinger - to help the Hawks to victory.