While fans see the final score, Athletic Trainers see everything that led up to it — the preparation, the prevention, and the countless decisions made behind the scenes to keep athletes healthy.
He also brings that experience to the highest level of sport as a medical provider for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
“I was a high school athlete myself,” Knizek said. “I always wanted to pursue something that combined medicine and athletics.”
That calling now places him at the center of injury evaluation, emergency response, and long-term rehabilitation for student-athletes.
Those responsibilities intensify when an athlete goes down during competition.
“Being the first person to respond to an injury requires patience, poise, and the ability to make quick decisions,” Knizek said. “I need to determine the nature and severity of an injury as quickly as possible, while making sure the athlete’s safety is always the top priority.”
That pressure is familiar across the secondary school setting. At Guilderland High School, Athletic Trainer Rachael Shatney manages long hours, overlapping schedules, and the emotional demands that come with caring for injured athletes.
“I don’t have a typical day,” Shatney said. “I get to work around 11 a.m. and leave between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m., and I work almost every Saturday.” After 22 years in the profession, she values the trust athletes place in her. “They trust me. I also bring humor and light sarcasm to every situation, which helps tremendously when someone is hurting.”
That trust extends beyond physical care. Shatney takes athlete mental health seriously, ensuring injured athletes remain connected to their teams and supported throughout recovery.
For Athletic Trainers, the job doesn’t end when the game does. Their impact is measured in safe returns to play, informed decisions, and relationships built over time. This work may happen out of the spotlight, but it is essential to every program’s success. Read the full story here!