Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Student Managers Key In Utah's Success
6/28/2018 1:38 PM | Women's Basketball
Phil Jackson once said, "the strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." Teamwork has always been an important aspect to head coach Lynne Roberts' philosophy here at Utah and that couldn't be more true when it comes to the student managers.
Andrew Spendlove and Renise La'a have been with the Utah women's basketball team for several years now as team managers, dedicating their time to the program that they have grown to love. Whether it is the coaching staff or the players, both Spendlove and La'a's commitment has not gone unnoticed.
"The players all love them," Roberts said. "Andrew is like a brother to the entire roster because he is just a quality guy. Nise is hilarious and works so hard. They both have jobs outside of basketball too along with school and sometimes it is important for our athletes to understand that not everyone gets a full ride and a stipend. Anyone who works as hard as they do, I respect."
Spendlove found his way to Utah women's basketball through a friend who was already a practice player for the Utes. After getting involved in practices, Spendlove knew he had found his new niche.
"I came off my LDS church mission and was about to start school when a buddy of mine was already a practice player, so he introduced me to their video coordinator at the time and I got involved that way," he said. "When the new staff came in, the girls on the team told me I should be the new manager, so I interviewed with Willette White and she liked me. I wanted to become more involved with the program so once Coach Roberts approved it, I started as manager."
La'a had her own journey to the University of Utah. Coming from Hawaii, La'a had played high school basketball and knew she wanted to do something with basketball in college, so when she found the position open through a class she was taking, she knew it was for her.
"I played high school basketball and because we came from a not-so-wealthy place, we had to do the managing and playing ourselves, so I knew what it would take," La'a said. "I really love basketball and I thought it would be a really good opportunity, so here we are two years later."
Spendlove and La'a work side-by-side on a daily basis as Utah's student managers, helping with all aspects of the team. Whether it is getting a practice set up, running the clock, sweeping the floors, getting uniforms organized or bringing the dry erase boards to the game floor, they have it covered.
"We have really good communication," La'a said. "If we are falling behind on something, we have each others backs and help each other out."
While their job is demanding, there are some benefits to being the Utah women's basketball student manager.
"Getting to travel with the team is amazing," Spendlove said. "I have traveled with my family before, but being able to go all across the Pac-12 is just beautiful. Getting to go all along the coast with Oregon, Washington and California is great."
While travel is one of Spendlove's favorite parts of the job, he also enjoys getting to see the inside workings of collegiate athletics, which could lead to his career after he graduates.
"I love athletics and am currently majoring in economics, which has to do with analytics and data," he said. "So, if I could stay in athletics and work for a collegiate or professional team and be a data analyst for them it would be a dream job."
Like Spendlove, La'a has her sights set on a career in athletics, and while she could see herself coaching youth basketball at some point, she wants to be involved behind the scenes as well.
"Growing up, I always wanted to coach high school basketball and I still see myself doing that in the future, but I am also wanting to work in sport psychology," she said. "The mind is very important when it comes to playing on the court, so I want to help as a guidance counselor for athletes."
Whatever Utah women's basketball's team managers do after college, Roberts has confidence that they will be successful because of the hardworking character they exude every day with the program.
"They are the real MVPs of our program because they do so much for us," Roberts said. "They have fun demeanors, they are easy-going, they laugh and they are a big part of our program. They are the type of people that you want your kids to grow up and be like. They are just great workers. Those two are incredible."
Andrew Spendlove and Renise La'a have been with the Utah women's basketball team for several years now as team managers, dedicating their time to the program that they have grown to love. Whether it is the coaching staff or the players, both Spendlove and La'a's commitment has not gone unnoticed.
"The players all love them," Roberts said. "Andrew is like a brother to the entire roster because he is just a quality guy. Nise is hilarious and works so hard. They both have jobs outside of basketball too along with school and sometimes it is important for our athletes to understand that not everyone gets a full ride and a stipend. Anyone who works as hard as they do, I respect."
Spendlove found his way to Utah women's basketball through a friend who was already a practice player for the Utes. After getting involved in practices, Spendlove knew he had found his new niche.
"I came off my LDS church mission and was about to start school when a buddy of mine was already a practice player, so he introduced me to their video coordinator at the time and I got involved that way," he said. "When the new staff came in, the girls on the team told me I should be the new manager, so I interviewed with Willette White and she liked me. I wanted to become more involved with the program so once Coach Roberts approved it, I started as manager."
La'a had her own journey to the University of Utah. Coming from Hawaii, La'a had played high school basketball and knew she wanted to do something with basketball in college, so when she found the position open through a class she was taking, she knew it was for her.
"I played high school basketball and because we came from a not-so-wealthy place, we had to do the managing and playing ourselves, so I knew what it would take," La'a said. "I really love basketball and I thought it would be a really good opportunity, so here we are two years later."
Spendlove and La'a work side-by-side on a daily basis as Utah's student managers, helping with all aspects of the team. Whether it is getting a practice set up, running the clock, sweeping the floors, getting uniforms organized or bringing the dry erase boards to the game floor, they have it covered.
"We have really good communication," La'a said. "If we are falling behind on something, we have each others backs and help each other out."
While their job is demanding, there are some benefits to being the Utah women's basketball student manager.
"Getting to travel with the team is amazing," Spendlove said. "I have traveled with my family before, but being able to go all across the Pac-12 is just beautiful. Getting to go all along the coast with Oregon, Washington and California is great."
While travel is one of Spendlove's favorite parts of the job, he also enjoys getting to see the inside workings of collegiate athletics, which could lead to his career after he graduates.
"I love athletics and am currently majoring in economics, which has to do with analytics and data," he said. "So, if I could stay in athletics and work for a collegiate or professional team and be a data analyst for them it would be a dream job."
Like Spendlove, La'a has her sights set on a career in athletics, and while she could see herself coaching youth basketball at some point, she wants to be involved behind the scenes as well.
"Growing up, I always wanted to coach high school basketball and I still see myself doing that in the future, but I am also wanting to work in sport psychology," she said. "The mind is very important when it comes to playing on the court, so I want to help as a guidance counselor for athletes."
Whatever Utah women's basketball's team managers do after college, Roberts has confidence that they will be successful because of the hardworking character they exude every day with the program.
"They are the real MVPs of our program because they do so much for us," Roberts said. "They have fun demeanors, they are easy-going, they laugh and they are a big part of our program. They are the type of people that you want your kids to grow up and be like. They are just great workers. Those two are incredible."
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