College football takes center stage every Saturday in the fall. It brings in so much money and attention. But do you really know what goes into a college football program? As a fan, how much are you missing behind the scenes? There is one place that can explain everything you ever want to know, and that place is the equipment room.
The equipment staff puts in long hours that people will never see. I am an equipment manager for the Mississippi State University football team. I spend more hours at the football facility than any other place on campus. The question I get asked the most is “What do you actually do as an equipment manager?”
The answer is simple — basically anything and everything that’s associated with football. It differs from day-to-day but one thing that will never change is laundry. It’s not very glamorous, but someone has to do it.We usually arrive to the facility about an hour before practice starts on a typical school day. We set up the field and then help run practice once it’s underway. This spans from playing catch with players, setting up drills, helping run those drills or spotting the ball like referees when the team is scrimmaging.
Once practice is finished, we wait for the players to shower so the laundry can get started. While we wait, their clothes for the next practice is put out.
Every Thursday night includes us heading to the stadium to set up the locker room if we have a home game. If we’re away, the locker is set up every Friday. Road trips are rough because we have to drive everywhere, but we manage it.
This job is definitely not for everyone. Dedication is the key to keeping your brain sane when it comes to all that laundry, endless folding and something being cussed out by a coach or two. However, game days make it all worthwhile since we’re close to the action on the sidelines and have the best view in the entire stadium.
I won’t ever see a game from our student section, but that’s alright. I will take being on the sidelines over that alternative any day. Equipment managers never get praised or put in the spotlight as much as you might think. It’s a job that must be done in order for the football program to properly function.
The next time you watch your favorite college football team run out of the tunnel to the few guys on their sideline, just remember those were the ones that helped make the ensuing entertainment possible. To all equipment staffs across the country, I’d like to say thank you.
I know how hard you all work and I wouldn’t want any other job in college. This is a once in a lifetime experience to help out your school’s football program.
Thanks for reading! Keep up with everything happening on campus by following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.
*Section Photo credit to Getty Images and Featured Photo (above) credit to agoodsportshang.com
