This month is Athletic Trainer Appreciation Month, which means athletes get to celebrate the trainers and everything they do for them so they can have their best performance in their sport. It’s important to highlight everything the athletic trainers do for athletes and the time they give to ensure athletes are safe and healthy.
Having help athletes can trust is important, especially when they are going through injuries and need extra support.
“They have helped me through physical therapy,” sophomore Sofia Dominguez said. “Even when it’s hard and I’m struggling they’re always there picking me back up telling me that I’m doing great. They tell me everything is going to get better and that I’m going to come back even stronger.”
Students feel confident in the trainers to help them recover and provide a safe space.
“As soon as you walk in they are very nice and make sure you are comfortable,” freshman Autumn Lewis said. “And get this they actually know what they are doing, so they get you healed in no time.”
Making sure athletes are at their best and ready to play is the trainers number one priority.
“They make sure our athletes are healthy,” junior Shy-Anne Colon said. “So that we are able to perform without any complications that could hinder our performance.”
Being able to get in this career path to help others is a big factor towards those who choose to be a trainer.
“I got involved because I love to help people,” athletic trainer Jordan Terrell said. “I like making people feel better and get to be around sports at the same time. I didn’t get to play sports anymore after I got hurt, so I think that process helped me choose this career.”
Communication with athletes through an injury is vital to let them know they are in the best hands.
“First we talk to the athlete and what we feel their injury is and roughly how long we think they will be out for if they will be completely out from their sport or we will modify their workouts,” athletic trainer Jordan Terrell said. “Then we communicate with their coaches as to what those modifications are so they are on the same page as us. We also communicate with parents so we have the parents support and the parents can help make the modifications that we make here at home. This way parents can help make sure they don’t do anything at home that can jeopardize their injury and how long they are out for.”
