Daniel Heinbaugh

Lee University

What is the No. 1 thing you enjoy about your job? The thing I enjoy most is being able to help athletes continue doing what they have loved to do all their life. There’s something special about being part of their journey and helping them push themselves further than they thought they could go.

What teams do you currently work with? I currently work with Lee University’s baseball, women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s golf teams. I’ve also worked with volleyball, basketball, softball, and track at other D2 institutions.

Describe what your average day looks like. I typically begin treatments around 9:30 a.m. and will continue those until about 3 p.m. Then, I start getting athletes ready for afternoon and evening practices. The weekends typically have games, and we start pregame treatments about four to five hours before game time.

What's the most challenging aspect of being an athletic trainer? The most rewarding? The most difficult part of being an athletic trainer is maintaining a good work-life balance. The best part has got to be watching athletes – and even coaches and coworkers – work hard and have their goals come to fruition. I also enjoy building relationships, and I still have great connections with some athletes who I worked with a decade ago.

In your opinion, what makes a good athletic trainer? You have to be calm under pressure and be able to think on your feet. It takes creativity to solve problems, and we have to deliver on everything from figuring out what the injury is to how to keep athletes engaged during rehab.

What is the most memorable moment of your athletic training career? There’s not one specific moment that sticks out, but every time I have been a part of a winning team has been really special. You get to work with a team for an entire year and watch all of their hard work pay off. I remember each conference tournament game and get to celebrate with the players and coaches after the big win.

Is there anything you'd like to add? All of my coworkers and the coaches at Lee University have played a big part in my love for athletic training. The athletic training staff works so well together, and it’s reassuring to know that the sports medicine department prioritizes quality medical care. I also wouldn’t be on this journey without my wife holding down the fort during the busy seasons, and I would like to thank our athletic director Coach Carpenter for the opportunity to serve these athletes while they strive to be the best.