Sporting a matching suit and tie, Gabe Marwell '10 sits at the table between the two benches during men's basketball home games. As the Judges' team manager, one of his jobs is to make sure the clock starts on time.Ever since he initially expressed interest in the position as a first-year by walking into coach Brian Meehan's office, Marwell has developed a deep connection to the team. So while he performs his duties, he also shares the crowd's cheers when the Judges make a key play and grumbling when a call goes against the Judges.

"I'm surprised I haven't [received a technical foul] already," he jokes.

Marwell and Talisa Torres '10, the women's team's manager, do not don Brandeis basketball jerseys or provide players with coaching tips, yet they play a major role in the daily operations for their respective teams. As they both enter their third year on the job, they say they have as much stake in their teams' success as the players and coaches.

"I wasn't sure how into it I was going to get coming into college," Marwell says. "[Now], I love being around the guys, I love spending hours at the gym; it's been enjoyable."

"There's no words to describe how invested I get," Torres says. "Even in practice, I know their plays because I've seen them so much."

The two share many tasks. Both are expected to be at all practices on time. Both keep track of time during practice, ensuring that everything moves smoothly, and both make sure the team has enough food on road trips.

But the two also go beyond the call of duty to fill in where necessary. At the beginning of last season, the men's squad learned that the person who normally sings the national anthem before home games was going to study abroad. Marwell, who sang in a choir in high school, volunteered to fill the void and sang for the rest of the season.

Even on short notice, Marwell's singing caught the eye of his coach.

"He sings the song the way it is meant to be sung," Meehan says. "He sings it quickly and clearly. I love it."

One of Torres' contributions last season may not have been apparent on the surface, but the women's team's players nonetheless noticed her impact. The Judges closed last season against New York University likely needing a win to have a chance at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament at-large bid. Before the game, Torres pasted a copy of a team picture and a choice inspirational quote on a piece of construction paper to give to each player. The Judges went out and defeated the Violets to secure their third straight NCAA Tournament berth.

"We were really pumped, and then we saw that, [and] we knew that we needed to go out and do this," guard Carmela Breslin '10 said.

Marwell and Torres both say it took some time to feel like they were as big a part of the team as the players. Torres says she felt completely at home right before the start of the 2006 to 2007 season. The squad was about to do a preseason scrimmage, which Torres wasn't required to attend. According to Torres, a few hours before the scrimmage, Breslin approached Torres and told Torres that she hoped to see Torres there. A few weeks later, then-captain Jaime Capra '08 tagged Torres with the nickname "T-Mac"-after NBA star Tracy McGrady-which cemented Torres' place as part of the group.

"When Jaime Capra gives you a name, it stays with you," Torres says.

Marwell says he did not realize how connected he was with the players until the team's summer trip to Italy before last season. He traveled everywhere with the players, which fostered a deep connection.

"I remember we were all at the Sistine Chapel looking at the roof toward the end of the trip," he says. "To be able to experience that with a bunch of guys that you go to battle with in games, I would say that was a new feeling."

Both Marwell and Torres say the managing experience has altered their career goals. Marwell says he wants to look into coaching, while Torres was more blunt.

"I wanted to be a lawyer [before college], and I did [managing] because I loved sports, but now I don't want to be a lawyer anymore," she says.