How do parents, athletes and coaches view athletic trainers?
TD: There is definitely the full spectrum. Most parents know the basics of what I can do. Some think that I am only there for games or certain sports. Others think I just get water and ice. Then there are even the parents that do not know there is a certified athletic trainer at their childs sporting events. For parents, it depends on their personal experiences with me or if their child has worked with me. For athletes, they better understand my job once I work with them. TH: I think most appreciate what we do and do not want to return to the days when there were no Athletic Trainers to take care of their children or athletes. After talking to different student athletes, the consensus was that most athletes know the basic skills that an athletic trainer possesses; however they do not realize the full extent of the job. After an injury, when an athlete has a closer interaction with the athletic trainer, it is then that the athlete realizes all that the job of a certified athletic traine
