Being a trainer isn’t all about showing up to the games, it’s also about dedicating a lot of time and effort into helping others and helping out when needed.

Wingspan’s Daniela Iturrino sat down with student athletic trainer, sophomore Sabrina Poole to discuss what it’s like being a trainer.

Wingspan:  How did you become a trainer?

Poole: “You have to go through a interview sort of thing, I came after school to see the head trainer and asked how to apply for a position. You have to get approval from a counselor and ask for a schedule change. It’s almost like applying for a job.”

Wingspan: What exactly do trainers do?

Poole: “It depends on the category you choose. In the beginning you have to be in football, the job consists of filling up cows (giant watering tanks that the plays drink out of), refill water bottles, restock the ice, and make sure the training room is pristine.”

Wingspan: What’s the most difficult thing you’ve done as an athletic trainer?

Poole: “In a game situation, when a player comes up to you and tells you they’re hurt, you have to figure out what the problem is as quickly as you can and try to help.”

Wingspan: What’s the least desirable thing you have to do as a trainer?

Poole:  “It would have to be hauling the 40 gallon cow up the hill for the players, that and the pain staking hours. We have to come in at 6 in the morning on Mondays to assist and watch the players practice.”

Wingspan: What made you want to be a trainer?

Poole: “The experience, it’s a good practice for the nursing field which I want to eventually do.”

Wingspan: What have you learned from being an athletic trainer?

Poole: “I’ve learned how to deal with people in a stressful situation, and I learned how to take care of injuries on spot”

Wingspan: How has being a trainer changed you?

Poole: “It gave me kind of a sneak peak into what it might be like as a RN (registered nurse).”

Wingspan: What’s the schedule of a trainer looks like?

Poole: “Every sport is different. For football we have to come in around 6 a.m. and we don’t get to leave until 8:30 a.m., and during that time we’re watching out for the players and preparing equipment. After school we stay until 5:30 p.m. doing about the same thing. For soccer we only have to come in around 7 a.m. but still leave school at 5:30 p.m.”

Wingspan: Is what all you go through, even worth it in the end?
Poole: “Gotta be honest, it really is. You have to be the type of person ready to jump on the scene and be willing to do just about anything.”