Student trainers, Victoria VanAlstine-Tauer, Casey Barlow, and Matt Guay from Westfield State University are shadowing South Hadley’s athletic trainer, Ally Maynard this spring. The three students are all interested in pursuing athletic training.

At Westfield State University there is an Athletic Training Education Program that allows student to get experience in an athletic training environment. Students in the program do clinicals on and off campus to enhance their ability to perform and get hands-on experience in the field.

A typical day shadowing Maynard consists of assessing injuries, going to practices or games to make sure everyone is physically all set and overall just checking in and seeing if anyone needs anything.

VanAlstine-Tauer has been at the high school for about five weeks so far doing her shadowing. She said that it’s going really well and she is learning a lot from Ally. VanAlstine-Tauer’s dream job in her field would be to work at a division one college as their athletic trainer.

Guay would also like to be a full time athletic trainer at a division one or two college. Guay has been with Ally for about four weeks now and said that, “It is going wonderfully and I’m learning a lot.” He also said that he loves Maynard’s personality and is having a lot of fun with her.

Barlow has also been shadowing Maynard for about 4 weeks and said that after she finishes college she wants to teach at a high school for a couple of years and then become a full time athletic trainer. Barlow said, “My experience is going great. I’m having a lot of fun and learning a lot because it’s such a hands-on experience.”

After a number of hours, Barlow and Guay they will move on to shadow another athletic trainer with in the area. Maynard teaches Barlow, Guay and VanAlstine-Tauer new hands-on techniques and gives them the real world experience they need to be prepared for a career in athletic training.

Also, being able to shadow an athletic trainer will give these Westfield State students a chance to see if they really want to pursue athletic training as a career and if they decide it’s not for them, they will have time to change majors.

In the past Maynard has had other athletic training students from Westfield come and shadow her during the winter season, but now that the winter season is over, the past students have moved on to another school to shadow another athletic trainer. Similarly to the current student trainers, they had a lot of fun going to the games and having real world experiences in the field.

When someone was injured during a game, they got to go out with Maynard to help diagnose the injury. Being a good athletic trainer takes quick reactions and being able to think on your feet. During games they were able to tape and wrap up athletes, help diagnose new injuries, create a plan for further recovery, as well as see Ally in action during games and what she does on a normal basis.

Hoagland may be reached at [email protected]