In the electric atmosphere of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), where thunderous cheers echo through the arenas as the Green Archers dazzle on the hardwood, a different kind of dedication unfolds behind closed doors. While coaches craft game plans and athletes perfect their play, student-managers move through the corridors, holding documentation in one hand and support in the other. These unsung heroes bring an impact that extends beyond the scoreboards that define De La Salle University’s (DLSU) championship traditions.
The Student Manager program, facilitated by the Office of Sports Development (OSD), has been a cornerstone of the University’s holistic approach in providing academic aid for its athletes to bridge the rigorous demands of the UAAP tournament and the institution’s high scholarly standards. Since 2006, student volunteers have been overseeing the academic performance of their assigned student-athletes. As such, they are the vital yet often overlooked architects of success who ensure that Lasallian athletes not only excel in their respective sports but also thrive in the classroom.
Day in the life of a student-manager
The responsibilities of a DLSU student-manager encompass a comprehensive support system that operates around the clock. “We’re expected to monitor student-athletes based on their academic performance. We’re also expected to recommend and provide necessary intervention, as well as submit reports to our head. We also assist with non-academic matters under [the] OSD,” shared Audrey Torrefiel (V, BS-FIN), student-manager of the DLSU Lady Booters.
However, the job doesn’t knock gently; it demands grace under pressure and is an unforgiving responsibility. “‘Yung main challenge [r]ito is to balance our time as students din. We’re student-managers, meaning, we have to devote our time [to] our studies [while] also [devoting] a big chunk of our time [to] being a manager too,” said Sophia Co (IV, AB-ISE), student-manager of the DLSU Green Archers.
(The main challenge here is to balance our time as students as well.)
While some might see it as a backstage pass to the perks of the UAAP, student-managers face a heavier reality as they carry the weight of both academic rigor and athletic excellence. “Kapag tinanong mo sa recruitment, ‘Ano ba ‘yung benefits of being a student manager?’, ang sasabihin lang talaga namin is experience,” stated Lawrence Arvesu (IV, BS-FIN), student-manager of the DLSU Green and Lady Batters. Arvesu also mentioned that one of the perks is just being able to help.
(When you ask during recruitment, ‘What are the benefits of being a student manager?’, what we will only say is experience.)
Different paths, one goal
Stepping into the role of a student-manager is like acting out multiple roles at once. They thrive in an environment built on winning, discipline, and pride, all while serving the team, the institution, and the Lasallian community.
For Co, joining the storied Green Archers was a plunge into unfamiliar waters. Passion and service are not enough for collegiate basketball as it requires urgency and courage to prove her worth. Like many student-managers, Co splits her days between classes, practices, and game duties. It is a constant act of balance. When asked whether managing a flagship sport adds pressure, she replied with calm certainty, “Nasanay na rin ako. Nahihiwalay ko na ‘yung student manager life and [academic] life.”
(I got used to it. I am already able to separate my student manager life from my academic life.)
Anchored by Green Archers Head Coach Topex Robinson, she works in a culture of care where one does not need to pit academics against sports. “Hindi kami takot magsabi kina Coach na may overlap sa class,” she shares. In this environment, Sophia grew from handling eligibility requirements to becoming a bridge between the classroom and the court.
(We are not afraid to let Coach [Topex] know if there are overlaps with class.)
Beyond basketball’s limelight, student-managers like Torrefiel and Arvesu tend to football and softball—sports that do not always enjoy the best exposure—they fulfill roles that stretch beyond any job description, providing emotional support as a dependable older sibling figure.
For Torrefiel, managing the Lady Booters was a homecoming. As a former football player herself, she found that the closest way to stay in the game was through managing. Her days may now involve paperwork and coordination, yet in her heart, she remains part of the team. The Lady Booters and coaching staff affirmed it too, stating, “We’re a family, and you are part of the family.” That shared history allows her to push through burnout and let the bond run deeper.
Arvesu’s journey began with the Animo Squad, and later expanded to baseball and softball—sports he once knew little about. By immersing himself in the game, he eventually grew to love it. While baseball and softball often go under the radar of many sports fans, for him, their worth is undiminished. His experience with the team has turned him into an advocate for greater coverage of underrepresented sports.
Their stories may run on different tracks, but all race toward the same finish line of service. Behind the cheers, early training sessions, and pressure-filled huddles, these student-managers embody Lasallian excellence.
Where championships are celebrated and victories remembered, student-managers remain largely invisible to outside viewers. Yet their quiet dedication ensures that the Green-and-White’s pursuit of excellence encompasses not just athletic prowess, but the academic achievement and personal development that truly define successful student-athletes. Beyond the trophies and perks, it is about the presence and constant hustle that ensure others can succeed and shine. In their own way, student-managers are champions too.
ERRATUM: November 10, 2025
An earlier version of the article incorrectly spelled out DLSU Green Batters student-manager Lawrence Arvesu as Lorenz Artesu. The publication has since corrected the error and apologizes for the oversight.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s October 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSOct2025.
