“You get the catch-all title of trainer because people just don’t understand where we fit,” says Ivkovich, the athletic trainer at Fairfield since 1993.
“We’re athletic trainers, not personal trainers,” adds Anders, who has worked at Fenwick since 1997. “We’re here for the sports injuries and prevention. We’re not just a little trainer to help kids with their workouts.”
March is National Athletic Trainer Month, and there are several key messages the National Athletic Trainers’ Association is trying to convey this year.
One is that athletic trainers are experts.
“This is a medical profession,” Ivkovich says. “You have to take care of the licensing, you have to carry the certifications and you have to have the continuing education credits to stay current and be able to continue practicing.”
Brain and spinal injuries, along with heat-related illnesses, can be life threatening if not recognized and treated properly. Most area schools require an athletic trainer to be on site for all practices and games, which means they are usually the first responders who serve as a liaison to physicians.
“I’m an advocate for every student athlete in the school,” Ivkovich says. “I help to prevent, evaluate, treat and rehabilitate any athletic injuries, as well as helping with any conditioning and nutritional advice.
“There are a lot of different things that go into this job, which is what makes it attractive and exciting.”
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