The play is set. Hike! Hike! The play is in motion. For a manager, shoulder pads block the view making it difficult to see through the players on the sidelines. No matter how hard you try, someone always ends up standing in front of you. Frustrated, you keep searching for a clear view. Despite not being able to watch the game fully, you enjoy being able to be part of the team and standing on the field.

First down, the play moves down the field. The boys begin to shift towards the play and despite being told repeatedly by the coaches to stay behind the yellow line, when the play begins adrenaline kicks in and they are up on the white line three yards from the field. As a manager, you need to be in front of them so you can see and so you can get the water to the offensive line when they switch off the field. Squeezing through the players, hands reach out to take the water bottles.

Once you’ve maneuvered your way in front of the players, you find the carrier is empty. The whistle blows, the coach is calling for a timeout. Rapidly turning around and grasping for your bottles you try to collect them all and put them back so you can run out on the field.

Out on the field the thirsty players greedily grab for the bottles hoping to prevent cramps by drinking the water- or spitting it back out. Another whistle blow- you need to get off the field. Bottles popping through gaps from the huddle, trying to find their home in the carrier.

You go to run off the field hoping- no praying- that you don’t trip and fall in front of the whole stadium. Of course though, because you were thinking about not tripping, you trip right as you reach the sideline. Thankfully one of the players catches your arm to steady you.

One minute left in the second quarter. Your friends are by the bench filling everything up for half-time. The minute seems to drag on so you glance at the audience and see your band friends. As you wave hello the buzzer goes off. It’s half time!