Ryan Clark

Covenant College

How did you get into athletic training? At my high school, we had a few athletic trainers, and since I played soccer, I got to see what they did. It sparked my interest. I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field, and I also love sports, so this was the perfect job for me.

What is the No. 1 thing you enjoy about your job? The best thing about my job is the relationships I get to form with the athletes. It is fun to get to know them personally. Building these relationships is essential to cultivating a positive experience in the training room, which will warrant better patient outcomes. Walking alongside athletes while they are battling injuries and pushing themselves through rehab you want to have their trust, and you can only build that through strong relationships.

What teams do you work with? At Covenant College, I work closely with men’s soccer, basketball, and baseball. Before I came to Covenant, I worked for the Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, and Christ Presbyterian Academy.

Describe what your average day looks like. Every day looks a little different, which is one of the reasons I love this profession. I might be making a house call because an athlete dislocated their finger or taking a call at 3 a.m. because an athlete needs help and doesn’t feel like there is anyone else to turn to. On a typical day, however, I come in around 1 p.m. to start on administrative duties. Several hours later, the athletes start piling in to start on their rehabilitation or to get ready for practice. After practices, we start on post-practice treatments and recovery to prep the athletes for the next day. The weekends just depend on what sports are going on and what they are doing.

What's the most challenging aspect of being an athletic trainer? The most challenging aspect of the job can be how quickly you have to think on your feet. In most settings, there is only one athletic trainer, so not having a sense of backup can be daunting in a serious situation. We have to be able to recognize medical emergencies and know exactly what to do, often with very little equipment. This is why an athletic trainer is so important to have on staff. We are heavily educated and trained to handle high-stress situations.

What's one piece of advice that you have for someone considering entering the athletic training field? You have to advocate for yourself. Being able to draw boundaries means you can have a healthy work-life balance, which I’m a big advocate for in this profession.

How did you get into athletic training? When I was younger, I wanted to make an impact on people and be a physical therapist. I started down that road, but then as a freshman in college, I dealt with a string of concussions that landed me on injury reserve. I didn’t want athletes to experience what I experienced, so preventing injuries or providing rehabilitation to athletes was the impact that I wanted to pursue.

Describe what your average day looks like. The beauty of being an athletic trainer is that every day looks different. On an average day for me, I will do treatment/rehab in the morning and afternoon with different athletes, then I will get the men’s lacrosse team ready for practice. After practice, I provide any post-treatment that the athletes need.

What's the most challenging aspect of being an athletic trainer? The most rewarding? I think the most challenging aspect of being an athletic trainer is perfecting time management. Seeing an athlete perform successfully after working through an injury is one of the most rewarding aspects. Watching an athlete work through every stage of injury and return to the sport they love will always be the motivation I need.

What are some common misconceptions people have about the profession? We contribute way more to athletes’ lives than just tape and hydration. We’re sometimes the only means of healthcare to athletes, whether that’s general medicine or rehabilitation services. We are often the shoulder to cry on during the recovery period, and being present for the emotional and mental aspects of an injury is just as important as the physical aspect.

What's one piece of advice that you have for someone considering entering the athletic training field? Prepare to be a lifelong student. With any medical profession, new research and treatments are coming out every day.

What is the most memorable moment of your athletic training career? I had a soccer athlete who spent the first half of the season on the injury reserve list. In their first game back, they got substituted into the game, and within 15 seconds, they scored their first goal of the season.

Is there anything you'd like to add? Athletic training is not a oneperson show; it takes a dedicated staff to keep the wheels moving. At Sewanee, we have 24 varsity sports, and it takes a great staff to take care of the more than 500 student-athletes. In addition to myself, we have four trainers spread among 24 sports – Ray Knight, Aaron Miller, Taylor Yeager, and Taylor Chandler. I can’t thank them enough.