At Cuesta College in California, Athletic Trainers Brittany Bauer and Anthony Geiger do much more than prepare athletes for competition. They help students recover from injuries, build confidence, and make decisions that can affect their health long after their playing days are over.
Both have spent more than a decade caring for Cuesta's student-athletes across 16 athletic teams.
“Every day is a little bit different, which is what we like about the job really,” Bauer said. “Something [people] might not realize, it is a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”
That work includes injury prevention, daily treatments, rehabilitation, and preparing for competitions long before athletes arrive.
But one of their toughest responsibilities is telling an athlete they shouldn't play.
“Telling an athlete they can’t play is the worst part of the job and just trying to help them see the big picture,” Bauer said.
While athletes may be focused on their next game, Athletic Trainers must consider their long-term health. Building relationships and earning trust makes those difficult conversations easier.
Their impact is something Cuesta's athletes recognize.
Volleyball player Cameron Holland credits the Athletic Training staff with helping strengthen her knee through regular rehabilitation and treatments. Teammate Emma Watkins says they supported her recovery following surgery.
Bauer also emphasized something many people overlook: Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals, not personal trainers or simply people standing on the sidelines.
And for some college students, their care is especially important.
“Sometimes we are the healthcare that those athletes have,” Bauer said, explaining that limited access to specialty physicians and insurance can make receiving treatment difficult.
For Geiger, the most rewarding part remains working directly with athletes.
“We got into this profession because we like to help people – that’s what we’re here to do,” he said.
For Bauer and Geiger, helping athletes stay healthy is about more than the next game. It's about making a difference that lasts beyond college sports. More here!