There is a new person on the AHS boy’s basketball bench this year and though he is not a player, he is an important and dedicated member of the team. Craig Russell is a senior here at AHS and he is the new student manager for the boy’s basketball team. Craig brings a lot of excitement to the team and happens to be good at half court shots also. He brings encouragement to the team and always is happy that he is there.
Head coach Michael Baker says that he asked Special Education teacher Teresa Schoeneman about Craig being the team’s student manager and she said that Craig would probably be interested in the job because he loves sports. Coach Baker said that Craig always brings a smile to practices and to games, and he always has a loving spirit and a great attitude.
Craig says being the manager is an amazing experience. “I get to be with my friends for a while each day, and I love it.” Besides, basketball is Craig’s favorite sport; although, he does like football a little bit, he says he doesn’t like all the contact. Craig especially enjoys the nightly basketball practices. “Practice is really a fun part because I get to talk to the players,” he says.
Craig said the reason he took the manager job for the basketball team is because he wanted to be more a part of sports and he wanted to be like everyone else.
Out of school Craig likes to watch t.v. In his free time and also likes to watch “his team”, the Bulldogs. Craig also likes watching the Miami Heat play because, he says, they are the best and LeBron James is definitely the best player ever.
The team is a key thing in Craig’s life because he has never before been a part of one and the experience is much different than he expected. The players on the team make him feel at home and he says he looks up to many of the players, such as senior Isaac Burnham and sophomore Sage Dubray.
Coach Baker said, “The things that Craig does for the team includes getting water during games, washing towels and running the score clock.” From the player’s standpoint, however, Craig brings a lot of good things to the team, starting with his character. Craig doesn’t care if he is playing or not. He is passionate about Bulldog basketball. Everything he does for the team helps the games and practices run more smoothly. He is a great asset to the team. He fits in perfectly and, occasionally, even takes time away from his duties to show the players how to make a half court shot.