The Friday night lights illuminate plenty of interesting sights. Throughout this high school football season, we’ll spotlight some of those who play an integral part in the action beyond the field.
What are your responsibilities on game day?
It depends on the job that you are assigned before the game, but normally you will need to make sure that the locker room is set up with the players’ bags and the field is set up with the trunks, the water cart, the bike, etc.
Why did you become a student trainer?
At first I thought it just looked fun, but when I got accepted into the program it became my passion and something I want to do for the rest of my life.
What is your favorite thing about being a student trainer?
Game day, rehabilitation (helping the athletes recover after an injury) — but game days the most.
What is the toughest thing about being a student trainer?
Getting up early and dealing with a lot of unique personalities.
How much time do you have to devote to your duties?
Honestly I would say athletic trainers devote a lot of time. … We have to go to two practices a week and one game a week. We also have to go to treatments on Saturdays if you worked the game that Friday.
Do you have time to cheer on the team during the game?
Of course, but you always have to control your emotions but also remember that the players feed off of your emotions.
Tell me a little about your team of student trainers.
The word family pretty much sums it up. We fight and we cry sometimes, but at the end of the day, we always come back together like every family does.
What is your favorite memory as a student trainer?
I would have to say being the girls basketball athletic trainer and traveling with them throughout playoffs and to state and becoming a part of their family.
Tell me something about being a student trainer that Vista Ridge fans might not know.
There is a lot of work involved in being an athletic trainer. We aren’t just water girls or boys. The athletes really depend on us for several reasons, for example, when they get injured on the field, dehydrated during practice and when they need to be taped.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/sports/high-school-football/friday-night-sights-natalya-oliver-senior-vista-ri/nnjC2/