Behind every athlete is an athletic trainer who is willing to always go the extra mile. This stands true for the Texas A&M University – Kingsville athletic training (AT) staff.
The TAMUK athletic trainers have continued to adjust and adhere to the new protocols in position due to COVID-19. After months of changed policies and rewritten procedures, the athletic training staff feels confident with their current game plan.
Julie Oberriter, assistant athletic trainer, believes the policy and procedure in place has adequately utilized the current CDC, Texas State Health, and many other health organizations’ recommendations and requirements to keep staff and student athletes in the safest environment possible.
“There are several requirements we have enforced as a department here at TAMUK in which are relatively easy to adhere to,” Oberriter said. “COVID testing of ALL student-athletes upon arrival to Kingsville, COVID testing of a percentage of inner bubble staff and student-athletes every two weeks, daily temperature and symptom checks, mask requirements for all lifts, transportation, locker room time, etc.”
Athletic staff members feel just as confident about these policies.
Ianna Leon-Guerrero, graduate assistant athletic trainer, feels that COVID-19 has made a chaotic impact but remains passionate about her work.
“I chose this profession because it brings together the life of athletics and the realm of medicine. For those on the outside looking in, it may seem like we have sideline passes for competitions, but it is much bigger than that,” Guerrero said. “It’s difficult to describe the feeling but it is a sense of accomplishment or proudness. As an athletic trainer you might witness an athlete at their weakness, and you are there for the entire process of recovery. Eventually you witness them performing again and competing at their fullest capabilities, and that’s what is rewarding.”
Guerrero continues.
“In the beginning it was chaotic, but with the support of the coaches and the sports medicine staff there is now a sense of routine or normalcy. The most enforced protocol is the daily temperature checks. These occur early in the morning and determine if athletes can participate for that day. Athletes may seem that this is unnecessary or an inconvenience, but it was decided that this was the best way to test ALL athletes in an efficient manner. I believe that as adjustments are made, it will be difficult to adapt (especially if they change daily) but as everyone is becoming familiar with the protocols and regulations, it will flow more easily,” she said.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, undergraduate athletic training students feel their education remains in great standing.
Miranda Lopez, a sophomore AT student, understands the importance of keeping athletes, coaches and all staff members healthy.
“I feel that things have been running very smoothly for both the athletic trainers, athletes and coaches,” Lopez said. “Temperature checks and appointments being made for treatment are set in place for the safety of athletes, coaches and ourselves. We are trying our best to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping everyone as healthy as we can.”
As for this year, the TAMUK athletic staff will continue to work towards their common goal of competition this spring.