To most, Chris Sullivan seems like a really laid back guy. The junior and Sport Management major is quick to crack a smile, make a joke to his friends, and is really just a fun person to be around. You’d never guess that the Sophia, NC native is one of the hardest working students on campus. 

Sullivan, entering his second year as Head Manager of the N.C. State women’s basketball team, spends up to 35 hours per week taking care of his team. From setting up equipment before practice to cleaning the playing surface and locker rooms afterwards, Sullivan and his colleagues are the unsung heroes whose hard work is a key component of helping the team function.

“We’re like UPS: We take care of all the logistics,” Sullivan said. “We make sure everything functions properly. If we weren’t there, things wouldn’t go as smoothly.”

Every afternoon around 1:30 p.m., Sullivan walks into Reynolds Coliseum 30 minutes before practice starts to begin his five-hour workday with the Wolfpack women. He and the other managers carry out seemingly inconsequential chores, such as getting whistles for the coaching staff and making sure the basketballs are properly inflated. It all seems relatively minor, but Sullivan and the managers play an unquestionably pivotal role.

With practice six times per week for five hours at a time, Sullivan and his colleagues learn quickly how to balance their schoolwork and social life with their commitment to the team. With practices starting around 2 p.m. on weekdays, the managers are busy all afternoon, often affecting their plans for activities outside of practice. 

“It’s definitely a full-time job,” Sullivan said. “You have to find time for schoolwork and group work. I can never make it to group meetings because I always have to work them around practice. And then at night when you want to go out, sometimes you have to study because you didn’t have time to study during the day.” 

During games, managers are in charge of filming, distributing water bottles and towels, and even setting up the stools that coaches sit on during timeouts. Sullivan, known by his peers for his jokes outside of class, is a true professional while on the court. There’s a good reason for it too. 

“During practices and stuff I usually keep [the jokes] to a minimum,” Sullivan said. “During the proper times we can goof off a little bit, but I try to be as professional as possible during practices and games.”

“Player safety is in our hands,” Sullivan said. “If we don’t wipe up a sweat spot on the floor, somebody could get hurt. We always have to be aware and attentive because you never know what can happen.”

This extends to the occasionally humorous moment while on the court. “One of our coaches this year got hit in the face with a ball because he wasn’t watching the court,” Sullivan said with a smile. “So you always have to pay attention.”

Sullivan, who aspires to be a basketball coach after graduating, says that his time as a manager has given him much deeper insight into the coaching profession. “I’ve learned so much about basketball,” Sullivan said. “I’m fortunate enough to be able to talk to the coaches about why they’re doing certain things and you don’t get that connection if you’re not a manager or a player. I can go up [to coaches] and be like ‘Why are you using this method? What is this going to help?’”

“Usually you have to pick and choose when to ask a question,” Sullivan said. “You don’t want the coaches to lose focus on practice. But if you pick the right opportunity, they will explain to a T what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.” 

Sullivan says that the learning experience and making a difference is what he loves the most about his job. He also believes that N.C. State managers are in the presence of the most knowledgeable figures in the game. 

“I’m most fond of the learning experience,” Sullivan said. “[I love] being able to be involved with the program, feeling like I’m making a difference, and getting to learn. I love to learn, and especially about basketball. It never gets old.”

“We’re learning from the best minds in basketball,” Sullivan said. “We’ve had great coaches. [Kellie Harper] is a fantastic X’s and O’s coach and her staff under her were amazing, so we’re learning from the best minds in basketball here at State.” 

Team managers are among the numerous backstage workers whose tireless efforts often go unnoticed by the general public. But Sullivan and managers like him perform duties that are essential to the daily operations of collegiate athletics programs across the nation.