Equipment 101 with Scott Whitley
The guys in the NBA who do the dirty work, literally
Scott Whitley started as a Team Attendant with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2009-2014. He then joined the Trail Blazers as the Assistant Equipment Manager from 2015-2018.
We caught up with Scott about his time as an Equipment Manager with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Q: What does summer (post Summer League) look like for an equipment manager?
SW: After Summer League, we take a little time off… but then around August, equipment starts coming in. You never know how much will come in day by day. Sometimes 50 boxes will come in. There is lots of unpacking and organizing. Nike is the big one, we have a luggage company, Adidas guys are getting shoes in… when you got a player like Dame, lots of shoes are coming in… and then there are specialized places like McDavid for padding and specialized tights… as well as random places for pullovers and polos and customized pieces.
The switch to Nike has been cool, with Nike in our backyard, they’ve done a lot of testing with us.
Within all the organizing, we are doing a lot of planning. With the schedule being released, you are figuring out traveling for the season. And on top of all of that, you are still managing the gear and laundry from players who are still coming into the gym daily.
One of the main things is staying on top of all of the shipments coming in daily. You are outfitting 18 players and 40-50 staff members multiplied by 40+ clothing items per person.
(JR: The Trail Blazers were very generous with their gear. I estimate 80+ clothing items per person including practice gear, shoes, work clothes, hoodies, hats and on and on… and additionally, many of our players like Dame and CJ are generous in sharing their signature shoes with us when they come out)
SW: Once the schedule is out and the shipments are in, we begin packing our road trip bags. Figuring out what trips we need extra equipment for.
We manage the PF (Practice Facility) and Moda Center so we do all of that for both locations. Setting up gear, locker rooms, nameplates, etc.
Q: How do you get ready for the season?
SW: I try to disengage after Summer League as much as possible. During the summer, I try to leave the office before evening.
And then we try to check all the boxes during those months that are lighter to make sure things are prepared and organized before getting into the season so you don’t have to scramble during preseason and road trips. You put in extra time in the summer so you don’t have to last minute during the season.
Q: What is unique about the role when a season is ready to start again?
SW: The Equipment Managers are one of the first points of contact for Free Agents and new players on the team. We are one of the first to welcome them to the Organization and City. And it’s the same for staff as well, we are often the first to welcome them to the team.
When we traded for Noah Vonleh, he was in the gym twice a day working out. And the guys often with him… were the equipment guys. We were making sure he was taken care of, setting the first impression of the organization.
Q: What are your favorite parts of getting ready for the next season?
SW: Getting the new gear… seeing it come in. And then spoiling the staff with gear.
SW: I like to plan things, see the schedule come in, and plan the season. There’s general excitement for a new season, meeting the new guys, the first team dinner.
It’s like… you go shopping for a year for all of your friends… and then it comes in and you get to give it out.