it is one of the most unique and for me and my colleaguesā most satisfying positions
in sports. It is not one of those positions you find on the front page of the sports section or
would you recognize the name of the person who holds the position even if you heard
it 100 times.
We are to some extent all frustrated athletes though some of us have competed at very
high levels. This is where our love for sport comes from a true spirit of sport.
I am talking about the Team Trainer (Therapist, for some). Now, using that moniker I am perhaps dating myself a little for I have been involved for going on twenty-seven years now. This may make me seem a little old school at times.
The Team Trainer has to be many things to many people. There are many key relationships that make a team function.
The Team trainer has the most difficult because he/she must have good communication between the players and themselves as well as management and themselves. The relationship with the players is the most satisfying and is built on two key components – RESPECT and TRUST.
I liken Team Trainers to hybrid professionals who at any given moment are Bartenders, Father Confessors, Physicians and Confidants. Within a five minute period, I have found myself being all of the aforementioned.
With time, all athletes come to realize that the Team Trainer is the one person who has only their welfare at heart. Although I have had some heated sideline discussions questioning whose welfare I had at heart, among other things.
Athletes should remember that in the end, I as the Team Trainer will win any argument when it comes to welfare of an athlete.
We share in the successes and failures of our teams and we take both winning and loosing very personally. We are all driven individuals who try to be the most up to date with methods and techniques so that we can give the athletes under our care the best.
I have worked with athletes from 4 to 80 years old, from world class to weekend warrior. Each of these groups present their unique challenges from calming down a 4 year old so they realize that they are not really injured just afraid to preparing a 60 year old for transportation to the hospital hoping they will be alright.
The profession of Team Trainer has evolved over the years; I can remember when a pair of good scissors and a role of tape could fix almost anything. Now we need to have almost all of the same equipment as an Ambulance with us on the sidelines to better care for our athletes.
This is one of the reasons that athletes and coaches should not take for granted the skill sets of the Team Trainer for more often than not, the team Trainer knows way more than you think.
This article may be a little self serving but I am proud of my profession and
just want other people to know that.
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
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