---
title: "Parents Away from Home: The Vital Role of Athletic Trainers in College Sports"
description: Athletic Trainer Katie Walker provides essential care, trust, and support for college athletes, highlighting the critical role ATs play as parents away from home.
image: https://blog.healthyroster.com/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20And%20Sports%20Medicine%20News-1.jpg
---

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 June 23, 2026

# Parents Away from Home: The Vital Role of Athletic Trainers in College Sports

![Picture of Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Clark.jpg?width=50&name=Tim%20Clark.jpg) By  [ Tim Clark ](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark)  ·   1 minute read

![Articles for Athletic Trainers and News Stories](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png?width=500&height=150&name=Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png)

When parents send their child across the country to play Division I soccer, they prepare for the demands of training, academics, and travel. What they can’t prepare for is not being there for the daily aches, illnesses, and small but significant moments of care.

<https://ilovetowatchyouplay.com/2025/09/25/the-unsung-hero-in-my-daughters-college-soccer-journey-her-athletic-trainer/>That’s where Katie Walker comes in.

*“Katie is my daughter’s athletic trainer—and she is everything,” the parent wrote. “She is on the front line every single day, knowing my daughter in a way I no longer can. Mentally and physically, she tracks how her body is responding, notices the smallest changes, and hears the tone in her voice before it cracks.”*

From minor issues like allergies, rashes, and menstrual challenges to more serious concerns like injuries and potential exposure to mono, Katie is the first call and the first stop.

*“She’s the one scheduling their doctor’s appointments, sending them for x-rays, coordinating the follow-ups. If something happens—big or small—Katie is always the first stop,” the parent shared.*

Beyond logistics, Walker monitors recovery data such as sleep reports and heart rate trends, adjusting care before problems escalate. But most importantly, she provides something technology cannot: presence and trust.

*“She is steady. She is kind. She is the safe space someone my daughter can talk to and count on every single day.”*

This experience is echoed by many parents, who see Athletic Trainers as “the glue for all of our kids.” Psychiatrist and fellow sports parent Dr. Kim Quigley has called Athletic Trainers “mission-critical infrastructure,” underscoring that they are often the first to spot anxiety, depression, or health concerns.

Yet, many schools still lack trainers, leaving athletes vulnerable.

*“Katie is the reason my daughter can keep chasing her dream—and the reason I can sleep at night,” the parent concluded. “They deserve our gratitude, our support, and our voices.”*

Read more [here](https://ilovetowatchyouplay.com/2025/09/25/the-unsung-hero-in-my-daughters-college-soccer-journey-her-athletic-trainer/)!

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