The sports world is full of underdogs, and in collegiate athletics, there’s no greater underdog than a student manager. Even so, there’s nothing fourth-year ODI Scholar (MSP) Shelby Granger would rather be.
The Columbus native works as student manager for The Ohio State University women’s basketball team, a role she has sought since her freshman year.
“I went to games and saw the managers there, and I was like, “That’s what I want to do,’” Granger said. “I reached out, but I never heard back. Then, the following year, I met someone who connected me with the director of basketball operations, so I was able to get a job as a manager for my junior year.”
In many ways, Granger’s role with the team is poetic, bridging her athletic past with her professional future.
“I grew up playing women’s basketball. I went to the Ohio State basketball camps in middle school, and I always went to see the games,” the operations management and sports industry double major explained. “So, it’s a great full circle moment to now work for the team.”
Granger’s first year on the team was an exceptional one: The Buckeyes went 26-6 beating highly-ranked Iowa (and sharpshooter Caitlin Clark) during the Big Ten regular season before losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Last year we played Iowa, which was when Caitlin Clark was huge, and it was sold out. It went into overtime and was an amazing game,” Granger commented. “It’s not always fun day in and day out, but it’s totally worth it when you’re in those moments.”
Granger hopes to contribute to similar success this season. She spends up to 30 hours per week with the team, working at every practice, attending all home games, and traveling for some away matchups.
“My life is quite busy. It’s twelve-hour days all the time,” Granger noted. “In a typical day, I’ll go to classes in the morning and attend practice at the Schottenstein Center from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Then, I’ll go to another class for the end of the day, and then I’ll do homework. There’s a lot of time management that goes into it, and I just take any opportunity to get things done.”
The role isn’t exactly glamorous: During practice, Granger’s managerial duties include filling water bottles, setting up the bench, laying out jerseys and towels, keeping score, running the clock, filming drills, and recording stats. She also helps coordinate recruitment events, team dinners, and staff projects.
“Basketball is an emotional game. Sometimes, the players or the coaches aren’t in the best mood, and we kind of get that taken out on us,” Granger said. “That can be hard, but at the end of the day, everyone appreciates the work that the managers do, and it’s so great to have that experience.”
Despite its challenges, Granger loves knowing her job is preparing her for a career in the sports industry, which she plans to enter after completing a two-year rotational program at JP Morgan Chase and earning her master’s in business administration.
“The season is long, and having the stamina to do that same work day in and day out can feel draining. I’ve had to learn how to have that work ethic and see the bigger picture,” Granger commented. “It can be hard, but I’m doing this because I want a career in sports. I have to do the work now to be where I want to be in the future.”
When she’s not on the court, Granger is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives. She is a member of the Fisher College of Business DEI Committee and has interned with RISE, a nonprofit dedicated to social justice in sports.
“Coming in as a Morrill Scholar in ODI, I wanted to contribute to diversity and inclusion efforts on campus in some way,” Granger explained.
She looks forward to the upcoming regular season and is excited to see the team’s work pay off.
“My favorite part is definitely when we get to the season, and you’re sitting on the bench at a home game. It’s like, ‘Wow, we put in all this work.’ The players have worked really hard in practices for months leading up to the season, and the managers have been there every day seeing them improve,” Granger said. “It’s really exciting and really rewarding.”