Football Student Manager (WS-ST1)

Job Title: Football Student Manager (WS-ST1)

Classification: Student Employee (non-exempt)

Name and Address of Employer: St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057

If the position requires the student to work off campus, provide the name and address here:

Department Name: Football

Unit Number (5 digits): 11707

Length of Position: See Employment Authorization  

Contact Person/Supervisor: Head Football Coach

Wage Range: $12.00-13.00/hour

Description of the Position: (Purpose of the Position):

The Football Equipment Manager is a key member of the St. Olaf Football support staff, responsible for helping manage, organize, maintain, and distribute all equipment and gear needed for practices, games, and team operations.

This position includes daily setup and teardown of the practice field, managing equipment for players and coaches, assisting with game day preparation, maintaining inventory, and ensuring all issued items are cared for and returned at the appropriate times. Equipment Managers play a critical role in making practices and games run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

You will be fully trained in equipment care, helmet fitting and repair, proper organization systems, and how to set up/tear down practice fields and game day environments. Additional duties may arise throughout the season based on team needs, and flexibility is essential.

This role requires responsibility, attention to detail, strong work ethic, and pride in supporting a college football program at a high level.

Transferable Skills: 

The skills learned in this position are highly valuable in the workplace and everyday life, including:

Responsibility & Ownership

• Managing equipment essential to the team teaches accountability and pride in your work.

Organization & Time Management

• Keeping the equipment room, lockers, and field setup organized develops strong planning habits.

Attention to Detail

• Ensuring the correct gear, sizes, helmet parts, footballs, and practice items are ready requires focus and accuracy.

Problem-Solving Skills

• Fixing helmets, adjusting pads, solving last-minute equipment issues, and responding to unexpected needs build confidence in troubleshooting.

Teamwork & Communication

• Working alongside coaches, players, and other managers improves communication and collaboration skills.

Work Ethic & Reliability

• Showing up early, preparing for practices and games, and staying until tasks are finished builds discipline and professionalism.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Set up the practice field each day:

• • Cones, bags, shields, goal-post pads

  • Practice clock

  • Any position-specific equipment or coaching tools

• Return all equipment to the equipment shed after practice.

• Maintain a clean and organized practice setup area.

• Manage and maintain all football equipment, including:

• • Helmets and helmet parts

  • Shoulder pads

  • Practice gear

  • Game uniforms

  • Towels and loops

  • Kicking nets, ladders, footballs, and other field equipment

• Ensure all footballs are properly inflated.

• Track footballs checked out for warmups or games and ensure all are returned.

• Place shorts, shirts, socks, and assigned gear into lockers before preseason practices.

• Ensure gear is organized and distributed to the correct players.

• Prior to each game, place complete game uniforms in every player’s locker.

• Assist with laundry return and folding of issued items.

• Assist with full setup and teardown of the field and sideline equipment.

• Ensure kicking nets, ball bags, communication equipment, and field gear are prepared.

• Help manage equipment during the game as needed (e.g., replacing helmet parts, locating missing gear, assisting coaches).

• Learn how to fit, adjust, and repair helmets using proper tools and guidelines.

• Replace chin straps, snaps, padding, and other components when needed.

• Report major damage immediately to the coaching or equipment staff.

• Collect and organize all equipment issued to players.

• Fold, store, and return uniforms and practice gear to the equipment cage.

• Assist with inventory, labeling, and storage of equipment for the offseason.

• Arrive on time and complete all tasks for practices and games.

• Stay until all equipment is returned and put away properly.

• Treat all equipment with care and professionalism—these items are expensive and essential to player safety.

• Be flexible and willing to take on additional tasks as needed to support the team.

• Maintain team confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Qualifications: (Education/Experience/Skills) No prior experience required.

Physical and Environmental Factors: 

This position requires crouching, stooping, twisting/pivoting, grasping/handling, pushing/pulling, and lifting and carrying objects up to 50 lbs to perform the essential functions. It may also require exposure to extreme cold or extreme heat to perform the essential functions. Candidates must possess the ability to safely perform the physical work required of all duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

This job description is for general information purposes.  It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position.  This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.