There is a huge misconception of what athletic training truly is and what we as athletic trainers do for our athletes. Many believe that we are simply personal trainers who work with specific athlete's in order to improve their athletic performance. That is only a small portion of our job. Our main focus is the health and wellbeing of our team and we are in fact healthcare professionals. We are typically assigned a team, sometimes more, and it is our job to make sure that they are taken care of in regard to injuries and overall health. We don't always get credit for our job, and most of us are okay with that, because that's not why we do the job. We do this job because we love our athletes and we enjoy the journey of watching athletes evolve over the years, not only in the way of their athletic performance, but them as people as well.
Growing up, I had always been around sports. I've played basketball for as long as I can remember. Being a part of a team and going through the journey of the season was something that I just couldn't give up. So, I discovered the world of athletic training and I knew that this is something I want to do. It's a combination of the world of athletics and sports medicine, and it was perfect for me. I ended up getting my degree in Athletic Training and passed the BOC and became certified. That's when everything changed for the better. After graduating, I made the decision to leave Georgia, where I had lived for my entire life, and move across the country to Washington to further my career and my education. I accepted the job without ever being to the West Coast of the United States and it was the best decision I have ever made.
My team that I work with has been amazing since the first day I met all of them. The coaches, along with all of the players, were very welcoming and it wasn't long before I truly felt like I was a part of the team too. Even though I was still new to the world of baseball, they all taught me everything I needed to know, and I caught on pretty quick. I thought that it might be difficult coming straight out of college and into a full-on job with people roughly my age and have the respect that I needed to do my job, but that wasn't the case. My guys have always respected what I say and know that I know what I am doing. They trust my medical advice and that has helped my confidence as I navigate the world of athletic training. I'm still in my first year of athletic training, but I have learned so much in this first year and this team will always mean a lot to me. I cannot wait to continue this journey another year.
Go Cats!
Abbey Craven
