Jessica Titus, Kristie Corney, Ashley Corney, Tyler Schlosser, Kait Crawford, Erica Heidinger, Sharon Dirksen
Student athletic trainers at Bluffton University help to keep Bluffton athletes on their feet by assisting the certified athletic trainers at practices, games and in the athletic training room to prevent them from becoming overwhelmed and stressed.
A common first thought of athletic training is a picture of the person who runs out onto the field or court when an athlete goes down; however, there is much more to training than that. Tyler Schlosser, head athletic trainer at Bluffton University, and his assistant, Kim Ricker, do the best that they can to ensure top rate care to Beaver athletes. Tyler and Kim help the injured athletes by setting up rehabilitation programs and performing stem treatment and ultrasounds (which are basically electric therapy). While those are the things only the certified trainers can do, the rest of the BU training crew can treat sprains, give out ice, prepare ice baths, treat blisters, tape various body parts (such as ankles, wrists and fingers) for extra support, give out heating pads, provide basic first-aid and perform CPR. They also encourage injured athletes on their journey back to recovery.
A common first thought of athletic training is a picture of the person who runs out onto the field or court when an athlete goes down; however, there is much more to training than that. Tyler Schlosser, head athletic trainer at Bluffton University, and his assistant, Kim Ricker, do the best that they can to ensure top rate care to Beaver athletes. Tyler and Kim help the injured athletes by setting up rehabilitation programs and performing stem treatment and ultrasounds (which are basically electric therapy). While those are the things only the certified trainers can do, the rest of the BU training crew can treat sprains, give out ice, prepare ice baths, treat blisters, tape various body parts (such as ankles, wrists and fingers) for extra support, give out heating pads, provide basic first-aid and perform CPR. They also encourage injured athletes on their journey back to recovery.
Tyler and Kim are the certified athletic trainers (also known as ATCs) but they currently have thirteen student athletic trainers working for them. Jana Teague is a graduate assistant trainer, Jake North is a master’s student assistant and the Bluffton University students include: Ashley Corney, Annalee Kaplan, Chris Malkowski, Kait Crawford, Erica Heidinger, Robin Wilson, Peter Kidwell, Kristie Corney, Jessica Titus, Sharon Dirksen and Estee Arend. These students run errands, clean the training room, act as watergirls/boys, and keep an eye out for injuries during athletic practices. This many trainers may seem like a bad idea because it can lead to tension or miscommunication but it is necessary for a large group in order to better provide for the athletes.
The students and ATCs arrive when the athletes do in August and stay till the final ball is thrown in May. With the exception of track and cross-country, there is a student athletic trainer at every athletic practice and event. The student athletic trainers will be there for the athletes through rain, sunshine or snow.
It is vital for the student athletic trainers to be at the practices and games because the ATCs cannot be everywhere at once. Since there are so many student athletic trainers, this ensures that there can always be (at minimal) a graduate student or ATC in the training room at all times during practice hours. “It can get chaotic in the training room, especially if all of the trainers are in there at once but when it comes time for practice, it’s obvious how necessary a large number of trainers is,” said Sharon Dirksen, sophomore student athletic trainer.
Student athletic training is important at Bluffton because not only do they help the athletes, they help keep friends and family members safe and feeling in top shape after an injury. The students take care of the small things so that the ATCs can focus on the large injuries and not become overwhelmed and lack in performance. By hiring student athletic trainers, Bluffton University is providing an extra layer of security and care for its student athletes now and in the future.
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