Because of NCAA rules and regulations, coaches can only spend a certain amount of time with their players, but there is no restriction on the amount of time players can spend with the training staff.

“The two people who spend the most time with a student-athlete on campus are the athletic trainer and the strength coach,” said Eric Storsved, director of athletic training services. “You get to know the student-athletes and see if they’re down or they’re stressed.”

Developing a relationship

Head softball coach Kathy Bocock understands the difficulty trainers face between balancing athletic department and team demands.

“The training staff knows that head coaches can be pretty crazy,” Bocock said. “We, as head coaches, want all our student-athletes healthy and ready to play. The student-athletes have to feel comfortable with [trainers], but I, as a head coach, have to feel comfortable with them and trust them, since they are part of my staff.”

Senior softball player Eve Clausen found comfort with the support she has received from the training staff, especially with Assistant Athletic Trainer Brandon Jacobs.

Clausen said she formed a special connection with Jacobs because he helped her deal with injuries.

“He’s the first one to crack a joke and get people to laugh,” Clausen said. “He knows exactly what to say to give us the information while also giving hope that we can get back on the field.”

“You get a different bond when you have to go through some of the more difficult injuries versus being sick,” Clausen said. “You’re able to open up with the trainer a little more. It’s a different level of friendship and camaraderie.”

Getting a player back to health

Storsved, who works as the head trainer for the men’s basketball team, saw multiple basketball players deal with serious injuries this past season. Sophomore Brian Dawkins missed the entire season from a knee injury, sophomore Luke Eddy was out mid-season due to a torn ACL and senior Ryan Winters ended his career because of back issues.

When injuries occur, a trainer’s job is to get the rehabilitation process rolling.

“[The training staff] gives [players and coaches] the information about the injury, the procedure, the normal recovery time, the potential risks,” Storsved said. “We want to give these young adults as big of a picture as we can.”

The rehabilitation procedures go beyond getting a player back in shape.

They also make sure they are able to live a healthy life beyond college.

“Sometimes, when an injury occurs and I look at the doctor and say, ‘Doc, make sure this student-athlete can pick up their kid when they are 32.’ I’m not caring about the sport here,” Storsved said. “I care about how they will live and function for the rest of their lives.”

Maintaining an active schedule

For most sports, practice schedules are limited by NCAA rules, but working out and getting treatment is unrestricted. For trainers, this provides a unique challenge.

“In the offseason, I am usually in the office before 8 a.m. and leave right around 5 p.m.” Storsved said. “But in the season, I’m usually here until an hour or so after practices, which can run as late as 9 p.m., and then however late the games go.”