The role of athletic trainers in a collegiate atmosphere is valuable not only for the athletic program to thrive but for the athletes to succeed as well.
Athletic trainers find themselves overshadowed by the athletes they treat and rehabilitate leaving their jobs virtually unrecognized by the outside public. As an athletic trainer in a collegiate environment, their main responsibility is to protect the athletes from injury and be with them constantly in case of an emergency. “Our role is to provide proper treatment, help the athletes with injury prevention and most importantly document everything that occurs,” Shelly Germann, head athletic trainer at the University of Nevada, Reno said. “We communicate with doctors, coaches and parents in order to inform them on an athlete’s injury and progression towards a healthy recovery.”
Athletic trainers also have the responsibility of prepping ahead of time, about two hours before each game, to insure that the athletes have the best and safest environment to work in. Trainers must not only treat the athletes when injured but also make sure they have proper supplies and equipment to aide the athletes if need be. “Not only do we need to be constantly supplied with preventative materials, such as tape for ankles, wrists etc, but we need rehab equipment; medicine balls, bands, and exercise equipment to guarantee that an athlete will recover from injury in the quickest and safest way possible,” Germann said.
Their job extends outside the court and field due to the constant and daily rehabilitation of injured athletes. Trainers along with rehabbing an athlete also provide preventive information in hopes of avoiding re-injury. “If our athletes are to go home for break, we send them home with strict rehab programs in order for the athlete to come back stronger and healthier,” Germann said. “We work closely with strength trainers and physical therapists to create the best program possible for the athlete.”
Unfortunately, the university is limited to only 8 trainers on staff, often leaving the trainers stretched out too thin. Luckily, volunteer undergraduate students who are enrolled in athletic trainer or kinesiology classes are welcome to join the athletic program and gain the experience they need for their future careers. These undergraduates may not have the expertise or skill of those who are licensed athletic trainers, but their presence and help is still valuable. “The volunteers are incredibly positive and are always willing to help us out,” Nevada Wolfpack defensive back Thaddeus Brown said. “They are always there to help stretch us out, give us ice and are constantly by our sides and there whenever we need them. I find them to be essential to our team and absolutely important.”