Athletic trainers start their morning before sunrise. Behind every game, there is a certain level of preparation and attention to detail that correlates with the success of McNeil’s sports programs’, This includes organizing tapes, wrapping ankles, setting up water stations, making ice bags and even helping some athletes in PT, physical therapy or rehab for injuries caused by their sports.
Athletic trainers go through training for these experiences like CPR certification and first aid certifications. They train every game by running on to the field when someone is hurt, knowing how to understand and communicate with the players about their injury, and even creating a close connection with each other. But most importantly helping and taking care of injured students.
Some things the trainers do to prepare and help injured students are, “We do taping of players, setting up cows and racks for practice and games, and preparing medical supplies on the sidelines and in our packs,” Student athletic trainer Angelina Rodriguez said. “During games we watch for injuries, ready to help clean and cover. We hold bottles for the sideline players and players getting off the field. After that, we clean up any trash, collect and empty bottles, and prepare everything to transport back to the school.”
The athletic training program at McNeil gives students real, hands-on experience that goes far beyond the classroom. Whether it’s helping with daily treatments, taping before games, or stepping in during emergencies, student trainers are right there on the sidelines making a difference. They learn how to stay calm under pressure, think on their feet, and work closely with both athletes and coaches. Athletic trainers work together to make the program run smoothly and support one another with their successes and failures.
“After high school I plan to go into the healthcare field,” student athletic trainer Halynd Golden said. “I like the thrill of having experiences that rush my adrenaline and I also enjoy helping people. I decided to do training because my brother is in football and I just got the idea out of that.”
At the end of the day, being a student athletic trainer means being part of something bigger. It’s about showing up, learning on the go, and being there when it really counts. The experiences might be tough, but overall it is an experience that prepares them, whether they want to go into the healthcare field or just training for the experience in high school. They end up learning important factors they may need for their life and to always carry out the experiences they made along the way.
