Meet a Few Athletic Trainers Behind the March Madness

Now that the men's and women's college basketball tournaments have wrapped up, we thought we'd shine a light on the healthcare professionals working behind the scenes who helped their teams get close to winning it all! 

March Madness is over. South Carolina took home the trophy for the women and UConn for the men. But there were some impressive Athletic Trainers working hard to ensure teams like Alabama for the men and the Iowa women’s team were primed for victory.

Andrea Chilcote, with her deep connection to basketball phenom Caitlin Clark, and Clarke Holter, working tirelessly with Alabama’s men’s team, exemplify the critical support these professionals provide behind the scenes.

Chilcote, in her second season with Iowa, has witnessed the program's rise to elite status, propelled by Clark's talent. The journey has been a fulfilling one for Chilcote, who, after a varied career across several universities, found a special joy in working with college athletes at Iowa.

Her dedication goes beyond any individual accolade, focusing on the team's overall safety and performance, especially as they faced the NCAA final four and then finals showdown.

"(Clark) brings out the best in people around her because of how competitive she is. The crowd she draws is a fun one for us."

Meanwhile, at Alabama, Clarke Holter has become a cornerstone of the Crimson Tide’s success, especially evident in the team reaching its first Final Four in school history.

Holter, in his seventh season with Alabama, has helped players like Nick Pringle stay as healthy as possible for the big games.  

Pringle had spent hours in the ATR behing their Elite 8 game against Clemson. He even got off the team bus in a boot. However, he ended up playing 32 minutes and scored 16. Pringle stated: 

"Shoutout to Clarke Holter, man. It's good that you can have a great relationship with an Athletic Trainer like that." 

Pringle’s heartfelt thanks to Holter for his recovery highlights the Athletic Trainer's role in maintaining the team’s health.

Holter's approach is comprehensive, focusing not just on physical recovery but also on embedding the culture Coach Nate Oats envisions for his team.

"You can't get anything done unless these guys trust you from a medical standpoint."

Both Chilcote and Holter, along with their teams, faced the immense pressure of the final stages of March Madness, employing their skills and knowledge to keep their teams in peak condition. Holter added: 

“They want to be the best version of themselves on the court. I think that based on the trust that you build with these guys over time they know what that looks like."

Their work, often unnoticed during the frenzy of March Madness, is crucial to the athletes' performance and well-being.

As the University of Iowa and Alabama advanced through the tournament, the importance of Athletic Trainers like Chilcote and Holter becomes ever more apparent, showcasing the indispensable role they played in the pursuit of a national championship.