Photo by Judy Blomquist/Harvard Staff; images by Dylan Goodman
Campus & Community
The crew behind the crew
From evaluating stats to arranging chairs, student managers support the sports they admire
Every successful team has dedicated student managers behind them. They are invaluable to both coaches and athletes, arriving long before the initial whistle and remaining after the last play concludes. Their responsibilities are extensive and continually changing, encompassing everything from evaluating stats to filling water bottles. They demonstrate the same dedication and enthusiasm as the athletes they assist. They are the backbone behind the backbone.
For the managers, the role represents more than just employment — it is a means to stay linked to a sport they cherish (sometimes having played it themselves), contribute to a greater cause, forge relationships, and for many, establish a foundation for a career in athletics.
Debora Ortega-Maldonado ’26
Football Team
Ortega-Maldonado, who transitioned from her high school managing role to Harvard football, takes pride in the two Ivy Championships attained during her tenure.
“The most fulfilling aspect of my position is observing how all the practice the team puts in translates to game day,” she expresses.
Ortega-Maldonado attends every practice and competition. Unlike the players, who adhere to rigid schedules, managers have the flexibility to set their own hours, balancing their commitments with similarly, if not more, demanding responsibilities.
Michael Poirier, J.D. ’25
Men’s Basketball Team
“Since childhood, I’ve aspired to work in the NBA, so this experience has only strengthened that ambition,” remarks Poirier.
A former player at Lakehead University, Poirier now occupies a crucial role within the operations of the men’s basketball team while juggling his studies as a 3L at Harvard Law School. His management duties span from analyzing game footage and monitoring statistics to assisting with recruitment materials. Even minor tasks like arranging chairs during timeouts fall under his purview.
“It’s one of the highlights of my Harvard journey,” he states regarding his position as a student manager.
Tommy Amaker, the Thomas G. Stemberg ’71 Family Endowed Head Coach, emphasizes the crucial contributions students like Poirier make to the program: “Our student managers are just as essential as anyone in our basketball framework. They exert incredible effort and exhibit unparalleled dedication. Our achievements are directly linked to our managers.”
Claire Pak ’26
Women’s Lacrosse Team
For Pak, the most gratifying aspect of working with the women’s lacrosse team is the bonds she has formed with players and coaches. She has “developed incredibly close relationships with many girls on the squad,” notes the Quincy House resident.
Pak assists the team “in every possible way,” handling equipment management, filming practices, inputting and interpreting critical stats, and ensuring that the snack supply is always stocked. This role demands sacrifice; she allocates between eight and twelve hours each week with the team and forgoes her weekends to attend competitions.
“It’s all completely worthwhile,” she insists.
Devon Wills, the Carole Kleinfelder Head Coach for Harvard Women’s Lacrosse, states, “Our student managers, especially Claire, … serve as the backbone of our team, ensuring that all the intricate details are managed at practices and during competitions so we can concentrate on delivering our best performance.”
Andrea Tchinda ’27
Women’s Basketball Team
Tchinda, having played her sport in high school, came to Harvard knowing she wanted to be involved with the women’s basketball team. Before her first year commenced, she reached out to Carrie Moore, the Kathy Delaney-Smith Head Coach for Harvard Women’s Basketball, to ensure she could start as a manager on her first day. She underlines the significance of believing in the team’s mission and striving to achieve their objectives.
“Often, this requires prioritizing the team over personal interests, despite not being a player or a coach,” she explains.
Moore acknowledges this dedication, noting that Tchinda “possesses a passion for basketball, but also a genuine love for our players and staff.”
Andrew Arkow ’27
Men’s Tennis Team
As the student manager for the men’s tennis team, Arkow tackles a variety of tasks ranging from video analysis and logistical arrangements to managing the scoreboard and picking up freshly strung rackets.
Arkow is also a member of the team, but his ties to Harvard tennis are even more profound — his brother, David, was part of the Crimson from 2020 to 2024.
“Tennis has always been a significant aspect of my life,” he states. The additional responsibilities as a student manager are rewarding — to help lighten the load for the coaches and players’ “lives a little less burdensome.”