The first Tuesday of each month, we interview someone from Charlotte Latin Athletics with twenty questions to help the CLS community get to know some of our athletes, coaches, and supporters a bit better.
 
This month, meet Megan Reed, who fills the rarest of roles as a three-season, three-sport varsity team manager. A junior who excels in the classroom, she is mature beyond her years, exceptionally organized, poised under pressure, a friend to all, and a passionate sports fan. She is likely the busiest person in CLS Athletics that you may have never heard of, but who can be found on the varsity football sideline, behind the varsity boys' basketball bench, and in the trenches of the jumping and vaulting events at the track. Coach Malai Moorman says she is indispensable, Coach Berger describes her as kindhearted, and Coach Dayton calls her his Director of Operations. Read on to learn more about Megan in this month's Tuesday 20.
 
1. Let's start with the basics. Have you always lived in Charlotte?
No, I was born in Michigan. We lived in Bloomfield Hills until we moved to Charlotte in 2014 for my dad's job. He works in information technology. I still miss Michigan. I liked the snow and the cold weather there. I'm not a fan of the heat in Charlotte.
 
2. Who else makes up the Reed family?
My dad, my mom, and my two sisters. My older sister, Nicole, graduated from Latin last year and is now at the University of Georgia. My younger sister, Lauren, is a freshman at Latin. And we have a Golden Retriever named Teddy who we love a lot, but he is very mischievous. He's a Covid puppy. My grandparents have his mom, Targa, and when she had puppies our parents surprised us and brought one home during the pandemic. Teddy counter surfs and steals socks from the laundry and brings them all over the house. We actually had to install baby gates in our house to keep him from going upstairs because he was getting into everything. We call him Ted when he's naughty.
 
3. How would you describe your family dynamic and your relationship with your sisters?
We're really close and spend a lot of time together. We like to play board games as a family, and we always debrief about our day and offer support to one another. I've always looked up to Nicole as a role model, who has really encouraged me to say yes to opportunities and try new things. Even though she's in college, we still talk just about every day. Lauren always gives me good advice and she's really talented at playing the piano. I love it when she plays for me. I'm really lucky to have such a strong bond with my sisters. Being the middle child, I always have a sister to lean on.
 
4. What brought your family to Latin?
I went to Crestdale Middle School and would have gone to Providence High School, but our family was looking for smaller class sizes. When I was a student at Providence Spring Elementary, I would always pass by Latin but didn't realize what it was until the tennis center was built. Nicole came to Latin first and she joined the cheerleading team, so we would go to basketball games to support her. I loved watching Ned Hull, Danny Haughton, and James Jones play, so I started coming to games even when Nicole wasn't cheering. I remember watching them play against Cannon in the Belk and it was so loud. I loved the energy. Then I came to Latin the following year, in ninth grade, and it was a smooth transition for me. I found friends during orientation and we've stuck together ever since. Lauren's here now too and she loves it. She has a great group of friends, enjoys her classes, and just said the other day that she's never had such passionate teachers.
 
5. Speaking of teachers, what have been some of your most memorable classes?
I loved having Mr. Edwards for World History I as a freshman. I had never had a teacher that was so enthusiastic and dynamic in their teaching. He taught history like it was a story, which I'd never experienced before and I loved it. The projects were challenging, but they pushed me to learn things I wouldn't have otherwise. I also loved my chemistry class with Mrs. Sellner. She's very calm and patient. I remember how she made the exchange students feel included by having them do experiments with us. I think what sticks out most about her is how caring she is and her genuine interest in how we're doing outside of class.
 
6. You spend a lot of your time outside of class with sports teams. How did you initially get into managing?
My freshman year, Nicole was on the track team so I tried it too. It turned out not to be for me. Coach Malai was so nice and understanding, and she asked if I wanted to stay involved with the team as a manager to help out with some of the field events. I loved the people, so I said yes. I mostly work with Coach Taye in the long and triple jump, measuring and taking down the numbers, and with Coach Schuster, moving the standards for the pole vault.
 
7. How did basketball come about, and has your role evolved in your second year with the team?   
For basketball, I'd interacted a little with Coach Berger when I was taking pictures on the sideline. He asked me if I would ever want to be their team manager and suggested we talk about it. I was nervous to have that meeting, because I wasn't sure I wanted to manage an all-boys team. But Coach Berger was really kind and flexible. He said if I could come to a couple practices and games, that would be great, and if I could make it to all them, that would be great. He was just happy to have me there. I'm so invested now, though, that I make practice a priority. During practice, I typically manage the clock. Coach Fullwood likes to give me a tough time but he knows I can take it. He's hilarious. During games, I'm more of an equipment manager. I make sure the towels are ready, have the baskets out for the warmup clothes, prepare the waters and keep them full. Greg (Lucas) taught me how to do the book this year, which was scary at first but I think I got the hang of it. My favorite is sitting on the stairs behind the bench and just making sure everyone has what they need. Coach Berger has offered to get me a chair but I can't see then because the guys are too tall.
 
8. So how has it been to be the manager on a team full of guys?  
They treat me really kindly. They always thank me after practices and the games. What's nice about basketball is that the team is really small, so I'm able to talk to them and get to know them more. A lot of them say hi to me in the halls at school too, which always makes me smile.
 
9. This summer, you added football. How did that happen, and how does it differ from managing basketball and track?
I was in the math office talking with Ms. Matrejek, who is my advisor, and Coach Cooney suddenly swung his chair around from his desk to come over to the big table where we were sitting to say, "Would you ever want to manage football?" I wasn't sure if he was being serious or not at first, but I said I would think about it. Ms. Matrejek told him I have a lot on my plate, and I do, but I thought about it for a few months and eventually I said I would do it. I had a meeting with Coach Dayton, Coach Cooney, Coach Hoover, and Coach Davis to go over what they wanted me to do. At first, it was just recording practice with the GoPro. I had to put it on a 20-foot pole in a stand on the back of the golf cart and make sure it was running and capturing the entire field. Then one day they had a scrimmage or something in Monroe and saw the other team using a drone for film, so they got one and told me to fly it. I was really scared and asked if there was a warranty or insurance plan on it, but they basically handed me the drone and said, "Good luck." Then they went off to coach. I had watched a YouTube video the night before to try to learn what to do, but we were on the baseball field with all those trees around and the poles for the lights. It was very intimidating, but I didn't crash it. We had a weather incident once, but I never crashed it.
 
10. What do you like best and least about each of these sports?
Hm, that's hard. I don't feel like I have any 'leasts.' The best part about football is how it's like a big family. I guess something I didn't like was getting up at five or six in the morning for summer practices, but it actually made the transition to start school easier. What I love most about basketball is how fast it is, and the intensity of it. When there's a passionate student section and the game is heated, that's what I love. The thing I like the least about basketball is how late some of the practices are, so I'm really tired when I get home. For track, I love that there are so many different events. I like to watch everything when I'm not busy with specific tasks. My least favorite thing about track is probably when it gets hot later in the season. That could be one for football too. I don't like the heat.
 
11. The sports are very different, but so are the coaches. What have you learned by working with them?  
I've learned so much about each sport and the people involved in them. Coach Malai is so genuine. I love to "walk and talk" with her on the track. In my brief attempt at running, she did such a great job of coaching me where I was at. It's inspiring how she matches her coaching to each athlete and their specific needs. Coach Berger is one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. His love for basketball is evident every day in practice and he is so dedicated to the sport and the team and everyone around it. He always makes a point to check in on me and wants an update on how life is going. He's super caring and encouraging, which I really appreciate. Coach Dayton is surprisingly funny and I have witnessed how he challenges the players, pushing them to the next level which he knows they are capable of. He makes me feel like I'm part of the football family and I cannot thank him enough for trusting me to try something new. All of these coaches are so impressive. They have so much knowledge and passion for what they do.
 
12. What have been your most memorable moments as a manager?
It's funny, but I get nervous before games and even before track meets. I don't know why – I guess I'm just nervous for the players. In track, I loved being able to watch Nicole compete close-up, on the field. It was special to share that season with her. My top moment from basketball so far was definitely against Country Day last year when James Jones hit the winning shot and the crowd erupted. The celebration afterwards was so much fun and I will never forget that game! The best moment during the football season was when Coach Dayton asked me to break down the huddle. It was after the game against SouthLake Christian and I was just picking up pylons when Coach Dayton pointed at me and then pointed to the huddle. I didn't understand what he meant, but then the boys started yelling my name and telling me to come join the huddle. I ran over and they were all clapping, so I kneeled down and was wondering if I was doing it with the right knee when I realized Coach Dayton was talking about me, saying nice things. The players all turned their heads to look at me and it was awkward, but then he said, "Megan, will you break us down?" and they all started cheering. I stood up and all those big guys surrounded me and waited. I was scared I was going to mess it up, but I said "Hawks on me, Hawks on three," and the guys all responded. It was a really meaningful moment for me.
 
13. You manage three of the most time-consuming sports we offer. How do you balance those commitments with academics?
I use my planner. During the day, I take advantage of my free period and lunch to get work done. In freshman and sophomore years, I felt like I worked better at night. But this year, as a junior, I get really tired by the time I get home from basketball, often at 8:30 or later. I've learned to prioritize my work when I have free time. We live really close to school, so I go home after school and crank out two hours of work before basketball practice. All of my teachers have been great as well. That's something I learned from Nicole. She always told me to meet with my teachers often and to ask them right away if you don't understand something. I also use the weekend to get ahead or at least try to.
 
14. Do you have any thoughts yet about what you'd like to study in college or pursue as a career?  
I've always loved digital design. I worked with Coach Nikki (Williams), doing some marketing for Talons, and that was really fun. I've always seen myself going into information technology, like my dad. I love computers. I have no clue yet where I'd like to go to college, but I might even minor in sports management. I want to keep that option open too because I love being around these teams so much.
 
15. Alright, let's finish with some fun questions. What's your favorite type of music?  
I like country music. Anything by Kenney Chesney or Zac Brown Band. I grew up listening to Jimmy Buffet with my dad, so I think that's where it came from.  
 
16. What has been your favorite vacation?  
I've been to Disney three or four times and I still love it. That's probably my favorite vacation. We went for my fifth birthday, and we've done Disney at Christmas and New Years. That's magical. I'm hoping we get to go to Disney again soon.
 
17. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Italy. We had an Italian exchange student not too long ago and she showed me pictures of where she lived. I've wanted to go there since meeting her.
 
18. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Definitely football, both college and the NFL. I love the Michigan Wolverines and the Lions, but I also love watching March Madness. We do a tournament with my mom's side of the family and that's a lot of fun.
 
19. What's a hobby, skill or talent most people don't know you have?
I love photography. Photography is so fun. It's hard to be a photographer who is a manager, because I don't get to take pictures of the sports I love. (Check out her Instagram account @_reedphotography and one of her photos below.)
 
20.  Final question. Do you ever regret saying "yes" to managing these three teams?
Not at all. I love it. I would not be where I am today without these coaches, and I cherish all that they have done for me. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such great people. I will miss this after I graduate next year.