Kailyn #2
“Oh, well, I don’t want to keep you waiting. It’s nice to meet you, Eric.” I take a step around him, about to open the door when something tells me to look behind me, and I see the hooded look in Eric's eyes as he scans my body once again.
“Oh, you definitely will, Kailyn.” He winks at me before taking off down the hall.
Shuddering, I take a few calming breaths to wash away how uncomfortable that interaction made me feel and continue into the PT room. I don’t want that one interaction to affect how I do my job.
As I open the door, I’m greeted with Dr. Sanders, head of the PT department, standing in the middle of the room, setting up for the day.
He’s an older man, short with gray hair and big glasses framing his face.
Ever since he and Coach Davenport contacted me three months ago to offer me the position, I’ve built a strong connection with him through our many phone calls.
He reminds me a lot of my dad, in that ‘he’s kind, caring, and a little cheesy when it comes to his dad jokes’ kind of way.
I was so excited when I found out that we would be working together this season.
He’s a legend in the sports medicine field and has a great reputation and career under his belt.
Hopefully I can learn a lot from him throughout this next year as he mentors me.
“Good morning, Dr. Sanders,” I greet him as I set my bag and papers down and walk over to the table he’s standing at.
“Good morning, my dear. And please, call me Josh. We’ll be colleagues after all, so it’s only fair.” He tells me again, like he has throughout our many phone calls.
I smile back at him, wanting to be polite. “Of course. Is there anything I can do to help set up before we start calling players in?”
“I’ve just about finished setting up, so there’s really nothing left.” He walks over to the desk and sits in the chair, leaning forward to place his glasses on top and wiping his hand over his eyes. There’s a faint tired look in his eyes.
This job takes a lot from us, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
As an athletic trainer, we spend countless hours learning and studying the human body and mind.
We are in charge of not just a player's physical health, but also their mental health as well.
We make sure that each player is ready not only to get back on the ice physically, but also mentally prepared for another shove by an opposing player or push into the boards.
These players trust us with their lives, to make sure that they can play for as long as possible, and we have to ensure that they can trust us to take care of them.
While we’re not constantly exhausting ourselves on the ice with drills and physical activity, we work just as hard as them for the success of the individual player and the team, so it definitely takes its toll on us.
I walk over and take the chair opposite of him, waiting for his instructions.
He reaches over, squeezing my hand in his before pulling away and turning to the computer again. “I know it’s only day one, but I’m going to let you lead the physical exams and I’m just going to observe. I want to see you in action and if you need any help, I’m here to answer any questions.”
I smile at him and stand, smoothing out my black slacks and polo, mentally going through my check list before I start the day. It's almost 9:00 a.m. now. The guys have been at practice for about an hour, and should be released soon.
Knowing that we’re about to start, I make sure that everything is set up, before taking a moment to gather my thoughts and center myself for my first day on the job.
“All right, let's get started, then.”
“Everything looks great, Maddox. Just keep up those stretches we talked about to help with your agility. And remember, it may be your first season on a team like this, but don’t push yourself too hard. Your stats and game will speak for themselves.”
Maddox Kane was just called up from the minors this past summer.
He seems like a sweet kid, very polite and charming at the same time.
He confided in me that he was nervous to fit in with the team, which I think is pretty common.
Honestly, I’m kind of feeling the same way myself.
Starting a new job with new people and colleagues is always a tough transition.
He’s only twenty-four, so most of the guys on the team are older, but he has worked hard to earn his spot here, and he’s determined to make a good impression.
“Thanks, Doc Taylor. I appreciate the advice.” He gives me a boyish smile before he hops down from the table and proceeds to the door.
“Of course. Can you send in Brayden for me, please?”
“Sure thing.”