Student athletic trainers aren’t normally in the spotlight. They are one step away from the action on the field, court, or swimming pool — always at the ready.
The center stage isn’t their job description. Trainers provide the helping hands that keep student athletes going, be it with recovery, physical therapy or trauma treatment.
Recently, however, trainers were the prime focus at the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers’ Society 2016 Student Athletic Trainer Workshop, held at Tompkins High School in Katy.
“It give an interaction with other students,” said Lamar Consolidated head athletic trainer Dennis Fyke (ATC, LAT) and founding member of the GHATS. “We do an exchange in football but that is normally the only interaction among student trainers from different schools.
“This is our big event for student trainers.”
Students from Lamar Consolidated, Terry, Foster and George Ranch high schools participated in the event.
“It makes me feel good knowing that I’m not the only one that wants to pursue this career,” said freshman Danielle Salinas.
The workshop helps connect student athletic trainers and professional athletic trainers to help guide students to a future in the field.
The students learned advanced technique of foam rolling, kinesio tape and taping. There were classes on the “Role of Team Doctor,” “Future of Athletic Training Education,” emergency room case studies, emerging settings, impact and sports psychology.
“You learn a lot of new techniques (at the workshop),” said senior Tyler Manuel. “For me, since I’m graduating, it was more about talking to colleges. In lower classes I know how to tape, wrap ice bags — you learn more of the day-to-day operations.”
The workshop took into account the fact that different levels of students came into the event: intermediate, beginner, advanced and college-bound — categorizing students to help their needs.
“It was good experience,” said sophomore Alize Valdez. “Because this is what I want to do when I get older — I want to be in sports medicine.”
Learning wasn’t the only thing on the schedule for the students. GHATS held a quiz bowl, a poster contest and a taping contest.
Among LCISD students who picked up awards at the event, Lamar Consolidated freshman Erin Loser finished in second place in the medical conditions poster contest.
“We don’t get a lot of time to ourselves (as trainers),” said Loser. “So it was cool to have all the trainers from the other schools come to this event.
“It was our time to compete and learn together.”
Lamar Consolidated’s seniors Tyler Manuel and Trinity Darnell were named to the Texas Athletic Trainers Association Academic all-state team.
“It’s great seeing peers who are also interested in what you are,” said Darnell. “You really get to know them and build friendship off that.”
Terry senior Colbee Grigar was also named to the Texas Athletic Trainers Association Academic all-state team.
“These experiences can help students to get future jobs,” said Fyke.
This unique gathering gives the students opportunity to interact where they normally wouldn’t. While athletes can intermingle on all-star and club teams, trainers normally get a chance to have a group together.