Lack of Athletic Trainer Causes Concerns for Athletes

By: Neil Mae Bumanglag
Staff Writer

 

 

There are a lot of thoughts about the Green River College athletic training program and why there has not been any trainer available on campus for athletes. Current athletic trainer, Howie Humbyrd, has done his best to be present at all athletic events, but some say that it is still not enough.

 

The Green River athletic training program has done its best to provide student athletes with the best care they need for their injuries. Humbyrd has been a part of the program for a year and half now and when asked about his experience here at Green River, Humbyrd said, “It has been fantastic. The athletes, coaches and staff involved are all great to work with.”

Humbyrd is a well experienced and certified athletic trainer. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in sports medicine, a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, a minor in Heath, and a minor in Psychology. He also says he is working on a Masters in Kinesiology. Before becoming an athletic trainer, Humbyrd worked as a personal trainer while going to college and he says he “has a desire to help athletes.”
Thus far, Rob Pedicone, the Recreations and Athletics Coordinator, has had valid points as to why Green River does not have a permanent trainer at all times, present on campus.

“The biggest reason why we don’t have one always available is because it’s very expensive to have that service and to always have it,” Pedicone said. “We do not have any kind of athletic training program on campus or through our PE Department that would support that type of service as well.”

There are athletes on campus who worry about their wellbeing while playing sports because of the fact that we do not have a trainer on campus at all times. Tanner Nygren, 6’4 guard on the Green River Men’s Basketball team says, “It’s hard not to have one, it’s kind of difficult and it affects us negatively at times.”

Athletes have an overwhelming fear of playing to their fullest ability because they don’t want to get injured, and then not have immediate attention from a trainer. “It’s nice to be able to help prevent injury and help us before practice, not just before games, Nygren said.”As far as like getting taped, and like injury prevention, icing, ice baths, just like having someone that’s on you and able to be there for you on campus [helps a lot].”

Another Green River Men’s Basketball player, 6’8 Guard Derek Cox, thinks having a trainer present would be quite helpful even for the simplest of things such as stretching. “I think it would benefit in a lot of ways you know, for games you always make sure you’d be ready for the games and take the right procedures to be stretched out,” Cox said. “And then after the games, icing, he could help us do the right stretches and taping would help a lot too.”

In the upcoming years, Green River is hopeful in regard to having a trainer on campus at all times. Pedicone considers this to be on the top of Green River’s priority.