The Chart Online

Student trainers mend injured athletes
By Tracy Hamilton

Staff Writer

Seeing nearly 80 student athletes with a staff of 19 is a daily routine in the training room at Missouri Southern.

With 10 student-athlete trainers, four graduate assistants, one head trainer, one assistant trainer, and one physical therapist, the training room faces daily decision-making with each athlete, whether it involves wrapping an ankle or giving a prognosis. Most student athletes perform more hands-on duties, such as taping, icing, assisting with rehabilitation methods, evaluations, treatments, stemming and observing the athlete's progress. Being able to work so closely with the athletes is a difficult task, but good for the overall experience.

"Everyone in the training room is really dedicated to what they do and I have really enjoyed it so far," said Seth Kirk, freshman secondary education and biology major.

The four graduate assistants, Rachel Courtney, Holly Kastle, Bryon Ramos and Matt Rowlett, are finishing their master's degrees while doing an internship through Southern. Graduate assistants are assigned to a particular team, but while in the actual training room, are not limited to that team. Courtney works with women's soccer; Kastle, women's volleyball; Ramos, football; and Rowlett, men's soccer. One major difference between working as a student trainer versus working as a graduate assistant involves the decision-making rather than merely hands-on work.

"As a GA, I perform much more decision-making rather than physical labor, said Rowlett, a graduate assistant of two years at Southern. Its much more responsibility."

Marty Conklin, head trainer, and Darin Moore, assistant head trainer, are also an asset to the training room. Conklin has been a part of the training room for 14 years, and Moore is in his second year at Southern. They oversee the entire staff, but are not classified as doctors. They are limited to giving what is called a prognosis. A prognosis states what has occurred regarding an injury, but is not the final word. For example, if an athlete breaks a leg, the training room staff can tell the athlete the leg is broken, but the athlete must go to the hospital for the doctor's diagnosis. The training room assesses the injury, but does not state whether or not it is definitely an injury.

Another huge asset for the training room is former Southern athlete and current physical therapist, Neely Burkhart. She works for Freeman Health System and comes to the training room three times a week to help with approximately five athletes. She helps athletes who have had surgery within this past year with their rehabilitation. One strong point for Burkhart is she used to be a student, athlete and trainer at Southern, giving her a strong appreciation for the College.