It's Happening: Jason Sanders has been a Manager Rock Star for the Bridgeport High School Indians
By Julie Perine on June 05, 2016 from It’s Happening via Connect-Bridgeport.com
There’s one Bridgeport High School graduate who plans to return to BHS and participate in sports next year.
Two-year manager of the Indian basketball team, Jason Sanders has been told by Coach Mike Robey that the job is his again if he is interested. As of now, Jason said he plans to take the coach up on that offer.
In addition to serving as manager of the basketball team during his junior and senior years, Jason also was manager of the Indian football team his sophomore, junior and senior years.
At BHS graduation a couple weeks ago, I saw how Jason’s fellow graduates – and the entire audience, really – cheered for him when he walked across the stage to get his diploma. I felt the vibes – the genuine appreciation for what Jason has done and for who he is.
Coach Robey said Jason did a fantastic job for him and the Tribe hoops team.
“He was a really good manager and an integral part of our team,” he said. “He did a little bit of everything for us and he got along so well with every player on the team.”
Jason took pride in his job and paid attention to every detail.
“I made a checklist for every away game – things like tape, uniforms, video camera, scorebook – and a lot of times I would ask (Assistant) Coach (Zak) Bart if we had this or that and Jason would have already gone through it and packed everything.”
Not only did he pack everything on the list, but before the bus left for every away game, Jason would take a final walk-through of the locker room to make sure nothing was left behind.
“More than once he came out of the locker room carrying someone’s shoes,” Coach Robey said. “He always double checked to make sure they had everything.”
Jason also served the team by filming games and helping with practices.
“He came to every practice,” Coach Robey said. “He got the balls out and made sure we had cold water to drink.”
It was Assistant BHS Football Coach Adam King who first asked Jason if he wanted to help out with the Indian football team.
“I said yes – and I did it for three years,” Jason said.
When the team started conditioning in the heat of August, Jason was right there encouraging the athletes, helping with pads and making sure the guys stayed hydrated. When the season started, he took care of the boys at home games and packed the trailer with uniforms and equipment for away games.
BHS Football Coach Josh Nicewarner said Jason quickly became very valuable to the team.
“The first year, he was your typical kind of manager. He got water and fetched equipment and various things like that. But once I saw how committed he was – and really determined to do a good job – I kind of upped the ante and told everybody he was my personal assistant,” Nicewarner said.
Jason would take his place right by the coach. He spotted the ball. He assisted Trainer Brooke Davis. He got snaps for helmets; straps and T-hooks for shoulder pads. He arrived at the field early and was one of the last to leave.
“It got to the point that he really didn’t even need to be asked to do things,” Nicewarner said. “It was like having a right-hand man for me. He did the things that might take a coach away from practice – and that is invaluable.”
It’s not a secret that Jason has a learning disability, Nicewarner said. He also never played any organized sports – youth leagues or school teams.
“A kid may not be able to do athletics, but he can be just as vital to the operations that go on down there and be as vital as any kid. And the boys really take to him,” Nicewarner said. “Jason has absolutely been a big part of our success and I wish him only the best.”
After his first year of serving the football team, Coach Robey asked him if he would be interested in doing basketball, too. Jason said he didn’t hesitate and said he would be glad to.
When I asked him why he was willing to put in all the time and effort, he said it was something to do – to keep him out of trouble. But as we talked, I could tell there was a lot more to it than that. He's made a lot of lasting friends and he cares about them a lot. Jason takes pride in the fact that the football team earned state championships all three years and that his stint with the basketball team included trips to Charleston for state tournament play both years. And he lit up when I asked him his favorite football game or play and he said, without a doubt, it was the 2015 semifinal against West Fairmont when Dylan Tonkery caught a pass and ran it to the end zone.
“It was an amazing game,” Jason said.
It’s been an amazing run – and the recent high school graduate has a trio of West Virginia Class AA football championship rings to prove it.
Although it’s not in an official capacity, Jason also helps out with BHS baseball.
“It’s mostly just going after foul balls at home games,” he said.
When he’s not helping out with high school sports, Jason likes playing video games. It’s not surprising that his favorites are Madden NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball.
Since graduation, Jason has been enjoying summer break and plans to work – cutting grass and maybe some handyman work.
Jason may not have played any youth sports, but his high school athletic career could not have been any more rewarding, he said.
Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter. More "It's Happening" HERE. 
