AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT TO THE COACHING TEAM

JASON FARMER

• Middle School Athletic Trainer

While Jason Farmer doesn’t coach a specific team at Country Day, his impact is felt across all sports on Bissell Campus. As the Middle School athletic trainer, he works with both students and coaches to minimize injuries and help speed recovery to get kids back out on the field. “We’re an integral part of the coaching team, but we’re also in the background in a sense,” says Jason. “You don’t really want to hear from me. As much as I love working with the kids, if they don’t know me very well, that’s a good thing because it means they are healthy and out on the field playing.”

Most afternoons, Jason can be seen on his golf cart rotating between practices or matches on Bissell Campus. In addition to being on-hand to assess and respond to any injuries, he also coaches on things like proper warm-up techniques or body positioning to avoid injury.

When injuries do occur, however, it’s advantageous that Middle School students can see Jason during their lunch break for rehab exercises, ice baths, and general injury assessment. Jason has been in this role at Country Day for 11 years and he really enjoys working with tweens and younger teens.

He jokingly likens Middle School athletes to baby giraffes. “They are growing fast, they are all arms and legs, they are still getting used to their new dimensions—and they can be really goofy. But they are also sponges and looking for information.”

When students come to see Jason because something hurts, of course he assesses the situation and develops a plan for recovery. But a big part of his job is also to reassure the young students. “At this age, a paper cut and a broken arm can seem like the same level of pain, so you have to really listen and figure out why a student has come to see you.”

Jason spends time teaching students about anatomy, why the body is hurting, and what they can do at home and in the training room to make it better. For instance, the Athletic Training room is equipped with various exercise equipment like rollers, training balls, and stretch bands, along with ice baths, heating pads, and tape.

Jason also enjoys the partnership and trust he has with parents when an injury requires outside intervention, such as when an X-ray is needed or more intensive rehab. “I think this community knows we are committed to doing what’s best for students and they trust us when we have to make a difficult call home about an athletic injury.”

Jason loves sports and played baseball and soccer in high school. An ankle injury his senior season kept him from playing during his team’s state playoff games, so he knows the feeling of missing out. “For me, helping athletes get back on the field is extremely satisfying. Seeing their faces light up when they get back out there is the best reward.”

“For me, helping athletes get back on the field is extremely satisfying. Seeing their faces light up when they get back out there is the best reward.”