UTC athletic trainers bring more than fanny packs
Allston Fishburne
Issue date: 4/15/10 Section: Sports
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"The stigma is that we're just tapers, water boys, water girls and the fanny pack." David Wilkenfeld, a graduate student from Walnut Creek, Calif., said. "We're much more than that."
Athletic trainers are health care professionals.
"We as athletic trainers are prepared for emergency situations and evaluation on the spot," Josh Wright, a graduate student from Byrdstown, Tenn., said. "We take care of everything from start to finish with any injury. I wish everyone could see that we actually do so much more than just tape and hydrate athletes."
The reason athletic trainers preach water and tape is to keep the athletes healthy.
"The ultimate goal is injury prevention," Dr. Brendon McDermott, assistant professor of the training program, said. "We're trained in injury prevention, onsite recognition, evaluation and treatment, and then after an athlete returns, rehabilitation."
Athletic training students also help make the decision to remove athletes from play.
"We have to be a student athlete advocate with regards to talking with coaches about return to play decisions," Wilkenfeld said. "But when it comes down to it, it's the greater good for the athlete. The student athlete is priority number one."
Athletic training students learn more than just how to fix athletes physically. Sometimes graduate students talk to athletes about their personal problems such as issues they are having with their significant other, trouble with their family or take action when they recognize signs of eating disorders, drug abuse or suicidal behavior.
"We demand a professional atmosphere from the beginning," McDermott said. "And socially, psychologically, physically, whatever, they have to be there for the athletes."
The UTC program is highly selective.
"I think this year we had in the ballpark of 200 applicants," McDermott said. "We normally accept anywhere between 10 to 20 students per year."
Graduate students take classes like human anatomy, ethical and legal studies, evaluating and rehabilitating injuries and conducting clinical research.
"In the cadaver anatomy lab, to see all the muscles, ligaments and tendons, it gives you a whole new perspective because a book doesn't even come close," Wright said.
Graduate students also work in clinicals. Clinicals are working with sports at UTC, athletic programs at other colleges and high schools in the region, and working in orthopedic or physical therapy clinics. Wright said he has enjoyed his first clinical the most, working with athletes at Girls Preparatory School.
