Student Athletic Trainers

The student athletic trainers at Hobart and William Smith Colleges serve as an invaluable resource to the professional staff. Students dedicate many hours of hard work, providing the highest quality of care for Hobart and William Smith athletes. Most student athletic trainers begin their experience in the training room as first years and sophomores. Students initially complete a 10-week course where they observe and interact with the professional staff and fellow students and become knowledgeable and comfortable with the procedures set forth by the Sports Medicine staff. After completing the course, they are given opportunities to interact with coaches and athletes, evaluate and treat injuries, as well as travel with the teams.

The experiences student athletic trainers gain are with them for many years to come. In addition to weekly scheduled work times, the entire staff gets together twice a month for educational workshops. Different topics for the workshops are chosen with an emphasis being placed on interactive and hands-on learning. Many methods of teaching are utilized during these sessions including: lecture, videos, discussion, handouts, and demonstrations. The professional staff tries to make the presentations fun and interesting while still accomplishing their goal of learning.

Student trainers are asked to return a day earlier in pre-season to attend a "trainers mini-camp." During this one-day camp, the professional staff reviews emergency procedures, taping techniques, prevention, evaluation, treatment of injuries, and conducts CPR certification. Student trainers who show an interest are assigned to a specific team or are given higher duties within the training room. The student trainer's placement is up to the discretion of the professional staff based on performance, enthusiasm, and computability with assigned area. Each sport has it's own inherent needs based on the number of athletes within that sport, injury rates, and travel. The current student staff is excellent. They have proven that they are an invaluable asset to Sports Medicine at Hobart and William Smith.

If you have a sincere interest in becoming a HWS student athletic trainer, please notify Doug Reeland, coordinator of Sports Medicine, of your interest. He is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic people who have a desire to help people. You will make friendships, gain an understanding of a medical field, and receive a sense of accomplishment while making money. This is not an easy work study job, and application should not be taken lightly. Serious inquiries only.