School to Career - New York Knicks - Equipment Manager



	There is a lot of equipment that needs to be in place prior to a professional basketball game. A team relies on having someone who is well organized to set up all of the equipment for practices and games as well as clean up afterwards. Mike Martinez handles this busy job for the Knicks. He needs to set up the locker room, do the team laundry, help coaches during practice and make sure that everything from the basketballs to the knee pads are in their proper place. B-U-S-Y During the season, there is a lot to be done. Prior to games, Mike has to make sure everything is in order for pre-game shoot-arounds. On off-days, there are practices held where equipment also needs to be set up, cleaned up and put away. In addition, at practices Mike sometimes helps out by working the clock during drills. The hours are long, but Mike enjoys his job. He has developed a good rapport with the team. Moving On Up Mike, who earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Farmingdale University, enjoyed playing ball in school but knew making it to the pro level was a nearly impossible task. Wanting to be close to the game that he loved, he got a job through a friend as a ballboy for the Knicks where he worked for three years. He then moved up to the position of equipment manager. To do this type of job Mike says you need to have interpersonal skills and a lot of patience. He also stresses being well organized and able to multi-task.