Time. Dedication. Work. Training. 

Applications for the 2022-23 school year are due today. Students will be interviewed and given opportunities to show their qualities that will help the athletic training program take care of student athletes. 

In order for students to become student athletic trainers a long process of interviews and opportunities are given to them; in order for them to show their commitment to the program and athletes. Student trainers, once accepted, will be taught from a medical standpoint when it comes to sports injuries and becoming CPR certified once they graduate high school. 

“We’re not looking for medical professionals when the students get here,” Athletic Trainer Scott McClatchy said. “We want kids coming into this program with a big desire to help others, wanting to learn things from a medical standpoint for sports injuries, and a really high work ethic. We’re also looking for kids who have great grades, good attendance, and no disciplinary problems.” 

Student trainers don’t need to worry about knowing how to be a trainer when they show up to the athletic training program. 

“We don’t expect them to know much about athletic training when they join,” Athletic Trainer Jordan Gonzales said. “We teach them first aid, anatomy, taping, and various athletic training skills once they’re in the program.” 

Students that show up dedicated to working and helping student athletes will make an excellent addition to the athletic training program. 

“We’re looking for dedicated, enthusiastic hardworking students to become student trainers at Willis,” Athletic Trainer Jordan Taylor said. “Trainers will learn everything they need to know about taping up certain parts of the body like the wrist and ankles, and just basic anatomy of the body.” 

When the students graduate they will be CPR certified and gain many leadership qualities to help throughout the rest of their lives. 

“When the student trainers leave here we will have hopefully equipped them with life skills,” McClatchy said. “They will be CPR certified when they leave and will definitely know how to work with teams, groups, and know how to help in certain medical situations.” 

Student trainers are needed to fill the program up with trainers in order to provide time for other student trainers to do their work and help the athletes. 

“As our athletic programs continue to grow, we want to provide each team with the care they deserve,” Gonzales said. “This means we need more athletic training student aides to help us reach that goal.” 

To be accepted as an athletic trainer the students have to undergo a long process to not only show their work ethic but also allow them to see the time they have to commit into the program.  

“Most of these students will be very similar on paper in regards to attendance and grades,” McClatchy said. “So, then it comes down to what other activities they’re involved in. Can they commit to the amount of time and dedication it takes to work as an athletic trainer within our program? That’s the real question. And hopefully we get to add spring football to our sports so that we can give these students a chance to go to football practices and shadow some of the trainers to see what they do for the athlete. This will also give us a chance to see how they interact with the staff and athletes and allow us to see their work ethic and time commitment to the program and the athletes.”