For senior Griffin Bright, Delbarton athletics didn't end when he was cut from the hockey team. In many ways, that moment became the beginning of something far more meaningful.

Now a senior who has managed both the varsity hockey and varsity soccer programs, Bright has spent the past three years proving that leadership and commitment aren't defined only by wearing a uniform on the field or ice. Instead, they're built through presence, consistency, and a belief in being part of something bigger than yourself.

From Disappointment to Opportunity

Bright's journey into managing began during his sophomore year, when he was cut from the hockey team — a moment that initially felt devastating.

"At first, it felt like I had lost everything I had worked so hard for since I was a kid," he said.

That feeling quickly shifted when Coach Shatel reached out with an opportunity to become the varsity hockey team manager. "I realized this would be the greatest opportunity I had ever received at Delbarton," Bright said.

Before that moment, he admits he hadn't fully immersed himself in the Delbarton community. "I went to school, went home, and went to hockey practice," he said. "But once I became a manager, I realized how much Delbarton really had to offer."

That opportunity opened doors — not just in athletics, but across campus. Bright became involved in EPOCH, Neighborhood House, and eventually took on the role of managing the varsity soccer team as well.

"Becoming a manager was the best decision I ever made at Delbarton," says Bright.

Balancing Two Teams, Two Sports

Managing both hockey and soccer required adaptability and discipline. The roles were different, and so were the expectations.

With soccer, Bright attended every practice and game — filming, serving as a ball boy, setting up drills, preparing water and ice, and helping with any logistical needs so coaches could stay focused on the team.

Hockey is a completely different situation. Managers are present for games, setting up sticks, pucks, water, and assisting players with equipment — from swapping out blades to changing helmet cages. Bright also handled recording and reporting game statistics.

"Balancing both teams taught me how to manage a lot at once," he said. "Each sport has its own demands, and I have to be ready for all of it."

More Than Just Logistics

One of the biggest misconceptions about team managers, Bright says, is that their role is limited to tasks.

"Managers don't just manage responsibilities — we manage momentum," he said.

By taking care of details coaches would otherwise handle, managers free them to focus on strategy and performance. But Bright saw his role extend beyond logistics. Music in the locker room. Energy before games. Keeping spirits high when things were tense.

"I try to always bring positive energy," he said. "Whether that is hyping the team up, playing music, or just making jokes, I want the locker room to be a place where bonds are built."

A Championship Moment to Remember

Of all the moments Bright experienced as a manager, one stands above the rest: winning the 2025 NJSIAA Boys Ice Hockey Non-Public State Championship.

"That moment was special not just because we won," he said, "but because of everything that led up to it."

The long hours, pressure, setbacks, and shared experiences created a closeness he had never felt before. "That group of players was closer than anything I've ever been a part of," Bright said. "I'm forever grateful for that."

Learning Leadership by Watching It

Managing two programs gave Bright a front-row seat to leadership in action. He credits players across both teams for showing him what it truly looks like.

"I learned that leadership isn't just about skill or hard work," he said. "It's about accountability — holding yourself and your teammates to a standard, and pushing everyone to be their best."

Those lessons shaped how Bright approached his own role behind the scenes.

Relationships That Last

The relationships Bright formed during his time as a manager are what he values most.  The coaches he worked with, he says, shaped him profoundly — teaching him how to represent himself, lead with accountability, and embody what it means to be a Delbarton man.

Just as meaningful were the bonds formed with players. "I'm just there to take stats or fill water," Bright said. "I am there for every win and every loss."

Those shared experiences turned teammates into lifelong friends. "Through managing, I've made relationships with my best friends," he said.

Lessons Beyond Delbarton

One of the most valuable skills Bright developed was time management.

"Balancing schoolwork, hockey, soccer, and my personal life taught me how to plan ahead, prioritize, and stay disciplined," he said. "That's something I'll carry with me long after Delbarton."

Finding Purpose Through Adversity

Looking back, Bright sees being cut from the hockey team not as a failure, but as a turning point.

"For the first time in my life, I had to truly face failure," he said. "But managing gave me purpose."

Through that opportunity, Bright became more involved, more connected, and more confident. He founded a club, stepped into leadership roles, and fully embraced the Delbarton community.

"This all happened because of the opportunity Coach Shatel gave me," he said. "I'll forever be grateful."

The Legacy He Hopes to Leave

As his senior year comes to a close, Bright hopes he's remembered not just for what he did, but for how he did it.

"I hope I'm remembered as friendly, funny, and hard-working," he said. "Someone who genuinely cared."

Whether arriving early, staying late, or making personal sacrifices, Bright wanted it to be clear how much the teams meant to him.

"I wasn't there just to manage," he said. "I was there to build relationships and help the program succeed."

In doing so, Griffin Bright proved that sometimes the most important contributions happen quietly — behind the scenes, driven by purpose, loyalty, and heart.