The varsity football team had yet another strong competitive season, but behind the wins, there are unsung heroes: student athletic trainers. Relentlessly working behind the scenes, they are the ones who assist the head trainers and are the backbone to game days.
A typical responsibility for athletic trainers is taping football players’ wrists before games so they can have more stability. Athletic tape is also far less bulky than wearing wrist pads, making it easier to remove. “To tape wrists, we have to use pre-wrap first, which is like a foam kind of material and then go over it with athletic tape,” said junior Mady Sudiyanto, a trainer for the football program.
In addition to preventative measures, student trainers are instructed on how to assist during emergencies and serious injuries. Student athletic trainer, Hannah Manley said, “We learn certain procedures to make sure we can help during emergencies and serious injuries.”
During the school day, players can choose to get athletic support. Trainers assist players to sign-in on an iPad with their student number, identifying their physical concerns. This way the athletic trainers are well-informed on what each player specifically needs and can relay it to the head trainers.
On game day, the student athletic trainers assemble a tent before the game that is used for equipment and treatment mid-game. In addition, they set up tables located on the sidelines with water and Gatorade coolers, towels, and players’ football bags.
Athletic trainers also drive the golf cart on and off the field with heavy additional equipment. The golf cart’s flat surface can be used to transport injured players that need to be wheeled off the field.
Students choose to become athletic trainers for varying reasons: some are into the sport they are assisting whereas some are interested in exploring a future career: physical therapy, athletic training, or coaching.
Manley said, “I plan on studying sports medicine or nursing after high school. Through Roswell’s program it has inspired me a lot to learn more and want to expand my knowledge and practice.”
