LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - As the NCAA tournament gets underway, many of us are familiar with our favorite teams and players, but what about the support staff?
Many times, the team managers are the unsung heroes of the game.
WKYT’s Amber Philpott has the story of a Morehead State basketball manager who became an inspiration in a very unlikely way.
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When it comes to the Morehead State Basketball program, everyone has a role to play in the success of the team. From the coaches on the sidelines to the players on the court and then those behind the scenes that don’t always get a lot of publicity.
“I love this team every single day coming in this gym is an enjoyment with them, they bring me inspiration every day to keep going,” said Tadd Johnson.
As a team manager, Tadd Johnson is tasked with a lot of duties, like keeping up with uniforms and equipment. Basketball has always been a part of the Morehead native’s life, and Coach Preston Spradlin gave him a chance to live out a dream.
“It was one of my dreams to become a basketball manager, and so I worked for it,” said Johnson.
Tadd just isn’t a manager, he is a part of the team.
He puts in long hours doing things like laundry. That task earlier this month at the OVC tournament landed him in a precarious situation.
“After the game, I always stay back and help do the laundry from the game make sure it gets done,” said Johnson.
It wasn’t until he tried to leave the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana that he realized he was locked inside.
“So I went walking around trying every door, and the doors were locked, there was only one exit,” said Johnson.
Once outside and still trapped, he needed a team effort.
“Hunter came up with the game plan to stack the pallets,” said Johnson.
He called in his fellow managers to help him over the fence.
Once free, Coach Spradlin used his story of never giving up as motivation going into the OVC finals.
“You know what, he didn’t make an excuse, did he? He stacked up the pallets outside, and he climbed over the fence, and he ripped holes in his joggers,” said Preston Spradlin.
It was a moment that went viral, but Tadd Johson has taken it in stride, looking at the ordeal as a way to bring inspiration to the team he loves.
“It just surprised me what good things that you do for a program. From the coach’s perspective, our job never goes unnoticed,” said Johnson.
Coach Spradlin says he plans to frame Johnson’s torn joggers to remember his hard work and determination.
Morehead State was given a No. 14 seed and will take on No. 3 Illinois on Thursday, March 21, at 3:10 p.m. ET on truTV.
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