Posted on April 3rd, 2026

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By Dr. Keith Adams

In the high-octane world of collegiate sports, all eyes are on the stars—the shooters, the defenders, and the playmakers. But if you shift your gaze just a few feet toward the bench, you’ll see the "backbone" of the program: the student managers.

I’ve spent 30 years at the intersection of academics and athletics, and I’ve noticed a striking, almost painful irony. While our elite student-athletes are pouring every ounce of their "Time Capital" into the game, the student managers are essentially running a four-year masterclass in executive operations.

The reality? When the final whistle blows, the managers often have a more robust professional roadmap than the All-Americans they served.

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The Working Lab of the Bench

As highlighted in recent coverage of the NCAA tournament, student managers are doing the heavy lifting in real-time. They aren't just "helping out"; they are managing complex logistics, analyzing defensive signals, and coordinating multi-city travel itineraries under immense pressure.

While the athlete is focused on the layup, the manager is:

• Executing Strategic Logistics: Managing 36-person catering orders with 15-minute windows.
• Crisis Management: Repairing broken equipment in the heat of a Sweet 16 upset.
• Data Analysis: Cutting film and "translating" opponent signals for the coaching staff.

They are building a resume of execution while the athlete is building a resume of athleticism. This creates a massive disparity the moment graduation hits. The student manager enters the job market with a portfolio of "doing," while the student-athlete walks away with a "Resume Gap" because their "job" was the sport itself.

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A Visionary Leader with a Proven Track Record

My commitment to closing this gap is personal. Throughout my career as a coach and administrator, I have viewed my staff and players as a singular unit of potential. My mentor, Hank Galotta, famously said he’d take a good manager over a bad player any day. I took that to heart.

The long-term success of my former managers—now leaders in their own right—proves the power of this professional immersion:

"It was these experiences that I used so frequently in job interviews when I started working in the real world. We learned that our work was important and the coaching staff supported us one hundred percent." — Jayme Boling-Smith, CKA Board Member & Former Manager

"As a collegiate student-athlete myself later on, I finally understood what Coach said: ‘You got to love your sport in order to truly dedicate your collegiate experience to it.’ That lesson helped me recognize when the balance shifted for me. I’m proud to be part of an organization that provides a 360-degree outlook." — Adwoa Blankson-Wood Jones, CKA Director of Community Engagement & Board Member

"I saw firsthand Coach Adams’ unwavering dedication... being part of the initiative when it was just a vision and now watching it come to life has been deeply rewarding." — Clyde Moore, Former Manager & Dedicated Donor

I have seen that when you give a young person responsibility, they rise. The CKA SAVE Project is my vehicle for bringing that same professional "sideline" experience to the athletes themselves.

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Closing the Gap: The CKA VIP

This is why we built the CKA Virtual Internship Program (VIP). We asked: Why can't the athletes have the same professional growth as the managers? Our "Grace-Based" model is the bridge.

Voices of the Next Generation

Our current interns are proving that you can be elite in your sport and your career simultaneously:

• Sydney Seabrooks (UNC Gymnastics): Recently named a Second Team All-American, Sydney notes: "Working with CKA has been exceptional. Dr. Adams trusts his interns to be responsible for their projects, showing grace when competitions derail plans."
• Roland E. Hairston III (Project Manager): Roland is graduating this June with his Master’s Degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington. I am honored to announce that Roland will be joining me at the Black Student-Athlete Summit this May to present our session: "Beyond the Scholarship: Empowering Student-Athletes to Not Just Get In, But Get Out of College."
• Theadora Rabman (UNC Tennis): "CKA matters because the people behind it genuinely care about helping student-athletes thrive, not just survive... it feels like mentorship."

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A Seat at the Table for Everyone

We should celebrate student managers; they are the unsung heroes who deserve every opportunity they’ve earned. But we must also refuse to let our athletes fall behind.

At the CKA SAVE Project, we are leveling the playing field. We want our athletes to graduate with the championship ring and the executive resume. The goal is simple: ensure that when the cheering stops, the athlete isn't just looking for a job—they’re choosing a career.

It’s time to close the gap.

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Get Involved

For Student-Athletes: Are you ready to turn your athletic discipline into professional equity?

• Apply to the CKA VIP: Visit https://ckasaveproject.org/cka-vip to learn more about our 100% virtual, grace-based internships.

For Individuals & Groups: Your support provides the infrastructure for these "Un-Internships," providing the tools and mentorship these athletes need to succeed beyond the field.

• Donate: Support the mission at https://ckasaveproject.org/donate
• Partner: If your organization believes in athlete advocacy, email us at [email protected] to schedule a meeting.