Athletic Training- The First Years

Little did I know, that when I chose to join the Denver Public Schools, sports medicine staff, that I was joining a family, a lifetime network of friend and colleagues and creating connections with others that will take me through my career.

I am young, and fairly new in this profession. I am just finishing up my third year as a certified athletic trainer, and my first year as a teacher/high school athletic trainer. Previously, I have worked in the Division I setting as a Graduate Assistant, and prior to that I was just finishing up my degree at the University of Northern Colorado. In my short three years certified, I have learned many things along the way. The challenges have been many, and they have provided me with the knowledge to learn and grow in this profession. My love for this job has not wavered, and my love for my athletes and students has grown tremendously.

I never pictured myself staying in the high school very long, but this job (or should I say career) has shown me how much of a difference I can make a the high school setting. People used to tell me the high schools were for unskilled athletic trainers, who couldn't make it in Universities or Professional sports. Boy are those people wrong. Not only have I found out what a challenging position it is, but I also have the privilege to work with some of the best people and Athletic Trainers I know. I have also realized, how much bigger of a difference I can make for a high school student, and how I can help shape the future leaders of this country. Let's just say I am not going anywhere, anytime soon.

In these first years I have learned some valuable information that i believe can help new athletic trainers around the nation. It includes the following:

1. You can never have enough in your kit most of the time you will always be on the verge of running out of something. 2. Most of the time I play the role of team mom, band aids sickness and injuries are my specialty. 3. Watching your athletes succeed is the greatest thing in the world. 4. Watching your athletes fail is the hardest. 5. If you have not perfected the art of sleeping on a bus you better learn quick. 6. It's never hard for me to go to work in the morning even if it is a 16 hour day. 7. My life will never be boring and my job is different every day. 8. You can never be prepared for the connections you make with your athletes co-workers or coaches. 9. I can be in such a crappy mood at the start of a day and by the end I am always in a better mood. 10. I have the best job, not only am I around athletics every day, but I have the privilege of watching my athletes succeeded and sometimes fail. I can say that I helped them achieve those successes and I will always be there to help them through the struggles and failures and then watch them turn those into successes.