Tyler Buckner’s journey to becoming TSU basketball head manager
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BVM) — Tyler Buckner earned his stripes to become a part of the Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball team, but the road to achieving this spot was just the beginning for this young man.
Like many young kids, Buckner had no idea what he wanted to be when he grew up, until one day when a family member posed him the same question that many struggle to answer.
“My uncle asked me if I knew what I wanted to do,” Buckner said. “I wasn’t sure what I really loved and had interest in.”
Buckner started watching basketball back in 2008, but he didn’t start to pay attention and understand it until 2010. His journey started in high school when he became the manager for the Germantown Red Devils women’s basketball varsity team.
“ I chose the women’s team because that was the only option,” Buckner said. “The men’s team had multiple managers and there were no remaining spots, but it helped me understand how much the job matters, and it worked out pretty well.”
He was the manager of the girls team from his sophomore to senior year at Germantown High. Heading into senior year, he knew he wanted to attend college, but he still had to answer the question that his uncle asked him when he was younger.
“I thought to myself that I knew more about the game of basketball than football,” Buckner said. “I had finally found my passion, which was becoming a coach in the game of basketball and helping the next generation of athletes learn not only the game, but that hard work pays off. That was always going to be the plan, and nothing else mattered.”
After graduating from Germantown High, Buckner decided to attend Tennessee State University and major in exercise science. Once he arrived, his journey to becoming a coach in basketball wouldn’t be easy, especially at an HBCU where there aren’t many willing participants to help.
“Being a head manager at an HBCU is different from most places because we aren’t just managers here,” Buckner said. “We have to manage facilities and be custodians to our director of basketball operations, video coordinators and athletic trainers.”
Being a student-athlete is a tough task for many, but being a student and manager is a challenge that very few can handle.
“The balance of being a manager and student isn’t that hard,” Buckner said. “I do my work after I leave practice and games.”
Being on the road for part of the semester is an exciting experience for Buckner, but he’ll be the first to tell you that the task is not as easy as it seems.
“On the road, it gets tough because now you have to try and find the mental capacity of doing work in your hotel room,” Buckner said. “Balancing basketball and work is all about taking advantage of your time.”
Now in his third year as head manager, Buckner has put in the work and shown how reliable he can be to a team and its staff. Once he graduates, he has big plans to help him excel in becoming a coach.
“I aspire to become a college basketball coach, but right now my plans are to become a graduate assistant for a university basketball program,” Buckner said. “I want to keep my options open and see if any schools need a helping hand while also learning every day on this job.”
Outside of managing the team, Buckner enjoys watching basketball and football during his free time. His favorite sports teams are the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Saints.
Buckner has come a long way from being the manager of the girls team to becoming head manager of a men’s basketball team. While his journey is far from over, he has plenty to offer and bring to a team, and future aspiring managers.
“My advice is to know what you want to get out of your experience because college management is time consuming,” Buckner said. “It’s so much that I have learned from my time here managing. I have done almost every job that was available. Don’t waste the time if you aren’t willing to put the work in.”
