The National Athletic Trainers’ Association describes athletic trainers (AT’s) as “highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions”. Quite a thorough definition of our job responsibilities. Common inferences are a “jack of all trades” or that we “wear a lot of hats.” A day in the life of an AT definitely involves more than ankle tape and water bottles.
But there is a very important part of our job, at least speaking for the staff at UGA, which is missing from this formal definition. It’s hard to put a label on, but a few words that come to mind are advocate, mentor, father / mother figure, confidant, friend. So much of our work is relational, and yet that is often overlooked. The vast majority of the time, student-athletes are not visiting the athletic training room because all is well. Dealing with injuries and illnesses can be difficult. In order to make the best of a bad situation, the sports medicine staff offers support. Getting to know our student-athletes on a personal level creates a much more effective treatment environment. We know so much about you all… but how much do you know about us?!?!
Who’s who on the UGA Athletic Training Staff?
Guess which fun fact belongs to which AT, and see how many you get right!
- Lived in Germany for 6 years.
- Is a “cat enthusiast”… AKA crazy cat lady.
- Is an Eagle Scout.
- Took bassoon lessons in college, and is knowledgeable in 4 different instruments.
- Has traveled to 4 out of the 7 continents.
- Climbed to base camp 1 of Mount Everest.
- Worked on an oil rig in Louisiana.
- Speaks fluent Spanish.
- Eats with her left hand even though she does everything else right-handed.
- Participated for two years in high school chorus.
- Threw the javelin in high school.
- Two individuals who are first generation American. One whose family is Jamaican and one whose family is Russian.
- Dad is also an athletic trainer.
- Spent 5 weeks in New Zealand, and black water rafted through glowworm caves while there.
- Is the only natural blonde in her entire family.
- Has 20 siblings.
- Is a first generation immigrant from the Philippines.
- Had a pet ferret in college named Pantalaimon, nicknamed Roxy.
- Is a published poet from a piece he wrote in 7th grade about baseball.
- Was president of his fraternity in college, Phi Delta Theta.
- Wanted to be an astronaut when he grew up, but his mom never sent him to space camp.
Answer Key:
- Sean Boland, Baseball
- Trina Topping, Soccer
- Jon Hill, Football
- Maria White, Women’s Basketball
- Tillery Conway, Coliseum Sports
- Ron Courson, Administration / Football
- Mike Dew, Rehab
- David Jack, Football
- Leah Chandley, Track & Field / Cross Country
- Anna Randa, Administration / Golf
- Liz Smart, Football
- Yolanda Lawrence and Sam Korolev, Track & Field / Cross Country
- Drew Wilson, Football
- Caitlyn Van Wie, Equestrian
- Deanna Doheny, Women’s Tennis
- Jubilee Price, Volleyball
- Doug Contaoi, Gymnastics
- Paige Gearheart, Swimming & Diving
- Conner Tidmus, Softball
- Anthony Scott, Men’s Tennis
- Matt Griffin, Men’s Basketball
