Athletic Trainers Star in Players’ Health

Playing professional sports can take a toll on the body. That’s why athletes need a dedicated healthcare team to keep them at their best. Integral to the team is the athletic trainer, a role focused on recovery and conditioning.

“We attract students with our academic rigor and breadth of clinical immersions,” says Dr. Ricker Adkins, assistant professor and coordinator of clinical education for Jefferson's Master of Science in Athletic Training program. “The University offers a holistic learning opportunity for graduate students looking to adapt and create their own clinical philosophy.”

To learn more about what life is like for athletic trainers, we spoke with two Class of 2020 graduates about their careers.

The Intersection of Rehab and Conditioning

An injury as a teenager brought Tom Zabielski to a career in professional sports. “I loved seeing how clinicians worked with me during rehabilitation, and I asked if I could volunteer in the physical therapy clinic,” he says.

Initially, Zabielski thought he would train to be a physical therapist, but working with athletes showed him how rewarding it was to follow a player from their initial injury to their return to the field. He’s now an athletic trainer at the U.S. Soccer Federation, working with soccer athletes worldwide.

Alumna Karina Gonzalez followed a bit of a different path to her career as an athletic trainer. “I was always interested in working with athletes at a minor league level,” she says. “When I graduated, I interviewed with the Cleveland Guardians’ AA team, the Akron RubberDucks, and I’ve been here ever since.”

Gonzalez’s primary role is injury and illness prevention, recognition and treatment. “I treat major and minor injuries, bumps, bruises and cuts for players, but I also work with them on injury prevention, mobility and strength,” she says. “In the weight room, the players strengthen large muscles, but in the athletic training room, we work with small muscles to gain control, coordination and endurance. This type of training is important because of the repetitive motion and overuse of the upper extremities.”

A Different Challenge Every Day

Working with U.S. Soccer has allowed Zabielski to travel the world alongside players attending training camps and national tournaments.

“Every day is a little different, but at a typical camp day, we screen athletes first,” Zabielski says. “During practice, we assist with activation exercises in collaboration with the sports performance team and closely monitor players for signs of fatigue or potential injuries. The afternoon is dedicated to treatment sessions, addressing any concerns to ensure players perform at their best.”

Gonzalez notes the variety of personalities and athletes she works with.

“I get to grow daily through challenges we face and overcome,” she says. “And I love that I can work with my hands and use skills I learned through my education to help the players with whom I’ve developed trusting relationships.”

Tools for Success

The experience at Jefferson helped Gonzalez and Zabielski find success. Both grads gained hands-on experience instrumental in their careers.

“Jefferson exposed us to a wide variety of guest lecturers, and our adjunct professors gave us critical skills,” Gonzalez says. “I still use techniques from a massage therapist professor today. I’ve had players comment on those specialized skills, and I’m grateful to have those experiences versus just broad, overarching training.”

Zabielski also appreciates the immersions at Jefferson. “The program did a great job of getting us into the field right away to get clinical hours,” he says. “I gained experience and made connections to help get a foot in the door.

A Gratifying Field

Zabielski and Gonzalez both feel fulfilled when seeing players develop their skills and move up in their professions. “It’s great to see some of the most talented young soccer players stay healthy and make it to the next level,” Zabielski says.

“Watching players excel and knowing you had a hand in it is so gratifying,” adds Gonzalez, who advocates for more women to work as professional coaches and athletic trainers. “The shift hasn’t entirely happened. I encourage you not to give up and don’t let people tell you ‘no.’ Carry yourself with confidence and know you belong.”

Jefferson’s Dr. Adkins praises Zabielski and Gonzalez for using their academic foundation to improve athletes’ lives. “We prepare our students to present the best version of themselves after graduation,” he says. “This is demonstrated within their clinical practice through the critical application of foundational knowledge, patient-centered care and hands-on skills.”