Celebrate National Athletic Trainer Month: We’ve Got an AT for That!

March is typically known for Women’s History Month, but it also celebrates a group that is just as important to LSU Athletics: our athletic trainers.

Athletic trainers are the unsung heroes in sports. They put in countless hours of work, week in and week out, during the season and the offseason. Athletic trainers are an athlete’s first call and first point of reference, and this often leads to inseparable bonds between an athletic trainer and an athlete.

“I definitely wouldn’t be remotely close to where I am today without the endless help from the athletic trainers here at LSU,” said Cade Beloso, a graduate student on the baseball team. “Amanda, Cory, Matt and Josh are some of the most selfless people ever, and the term ‘athletic trainer’ doesn’t fit properly to what they do on a daily basis. It is such a thankless job, but they show up with the biggest smiles on their faces every day. I thank them for being who they are: a friend, a person to lean on, the biggest supporters, someone to believe in you when you don’t see it yourself, and so on. Words can’t describe how much they mean to me.”

Whether an injury’s recovery time is eight weeks or eight months, our athletic trainers bring the same energy and compassion to each athlete’s rehab every single day. Beyond what takes place in the athletic training room, athletic trainers become friends, mentors and even parental figures. Injured or not, athletic trainers arguably spend the most time with athletes out of any other staff member. Athletic trainers are there in an athlete’s worst moment, through all the little battles and triumphant victories.  

“When I developed a shoulder injury during freshman year, Maria and Becca did everything they could to help me be able to compete and do well at the end of the season,” said Jenna Bridges, a sophomore on the Women’s Swimming & Diving team. “After I had surgery, my athletic trainers made sure I followed protocol down to every last detail. They pushed me with my rehab, and they even checked in on me over the summer while I was at home to make sure I was progressing. When I returned to Baton Rouge, Maria and Becca helped me get back to full training and competing again. Without the amazing help from them both, I would not have had anything close to the season I’ve had this year. I know so many other swimmers who could say the same thing!”

While the athletic training room is also used for recovery, it is most immediately associated with being injured. When athletes enter the athletic training room for that purpose, no one is happy to be there. Losing the ability to compete is devastating, and the fear of an injury’s impact on one’s future can be paralyzing. However, the journey is less daunting when athletic trainers never cease to make the days brighter with their support and encouragement.

“Since I’ve been at LSU, Maria and Becca have gone above and beyond to make sure that every swimmer is healthy and safe,” Bridges added. I believe our athletic trainers are the most selfless and committed individuals around. The swim team genuinely could not function without Maria; there’s nothing that you could come to her about that she would not do everything she could to help you. Our athletic trainers work overtime to help us be successful, and I could not be more thankful for them.”

All-American gymnast Kiya Johnson echoed Bridges’ sentiments, and her love for her athletic trainers has only grown throughout her adversity-plagued season.

“This season alone, with the injuries that have occurred on our team, Matt and Jenny have not only helped us get through them physically, but they have also been such a light to our team,” Johnson explained. “They have been super positive in the training room, which has helped tremendously. On top of their physical help, which literally gets us through the season, they are both truly some of the most amazing, kind and selfless people that I have ever met. Although my recovery process is just getting started, they have both already encouraged me and pushed me to come back stronger than before. I am so thankful for them both, and I know that my teammates would say the same thing!”

Similar to gymnastics, football is another sport that frequently experiences serious injuries. For one LSU Football alumni, his relationship with his athletic trainer has extended far beyond his time as a college athlete. Former LSU defensive end Andre Anthony tore his ACL three games into his final season with the Tigers, and athletic trainer Micki Collins was the anchor for him throughout the recovery process.

“When I tore my ACL, our relationship grew from the time we spent together through that injury,” Anthony said of Collins. “She’s like a mother to me. She took care of me like one of her own. If I call her, even now, she’ll show up at my door if I need anything. If I’m hurt, sick, whatever it is.”

Anthony was just six months post-surgery when his Pro Day arrived, which is an event that college football programs host as an NFL recruitment opportunity. No one expected Anthony to work out. However, Collins took perfect advantage of Anthony’s work ethic; she knew when to push him and when to pull back. As a result, Anthony was cleared the day before Pro Day and ran a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash, a remarkably surprising, impressive time for someone of his size and stature that just came off of a serious injury.

“That was a very emotional, big moment for us,” Anthony recalled. “We cried together. We went through everything together. When someone gets hurt, people are devastated because of the injury, but also because they love the person. I felt that with Micki.”

Anthony went on to be drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He later became a member of the Chicago Bears, where another torn ACL awaited him.

He was given the choice of where he wanted to do his rehab, and after getting surgery in Chicago, Anthony knew there was one place for him to be: home. Home meant he would be with his family, but also with the athletic trainer that had always taken care of him.

“The first person I called after it happened was Micki,” Anthony said. “It’s good to come home and be around people that you know take care of you, that you know love you. I didn’t want to be anywhere else besides out here with her.”

Anthony has always been regarded as a high character guy, and he was undoubtedly a leader in every sense of the word. Collins only encouraged that, as Anthony knew he could tell her anything. Collins would always keep it real, and always motivate him to do the right thing.

Collins currently serves as the SEC Sports Medicine Conference President, which comes with a great deal of importance and responsibility that not a single person doubts Collins will approach with the same standard of excellence she has always possessed. Anthony is arguably her biggest spokesperson.

“I’m proud of her,” Anthony affirmed. “She definitely works hard and I love seeing her live out her dreams. She’s a genuine, kind, loving person.”

While coaches receive more of the spotlight, they are fully aware of how committed athletic trainers are to grinding in the trenches with their athletes. For LSU Softball Head Coach Beth Torina and LSU Beach Volleyball Assistant Coach Cati Leak, their athletic trainers are an integral part of and driving force behind their programs’ success.

“Pamela’s investment in our athletes goes far beyond what is required in her job description,” Torina said, sharing similar feelings with Beloso and Bridges. “Her attention to detail is immaculate and her care for our athletes is unmatched.  She is forward thinking, innovative and internally motivated to do the best job possible.  We are who we are because of people like Pamela that give their heart to this program.  There will never be enough words to truly express our appreciation for all she does.”

Ken Faldetta, head athletic trainer for Beach Volleyball, is also always readily available, which allows his athletes to stay open and honest about their needs. Leak applauds Faldetta for his extensive knowledge and resourcefulness that gives her players the ability to sustain their health and succeed at the highest level on the sand.

Another athletic trainer getting some well-deserved recognition is Andy Barker, a recent inductee into the 2023 Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. Barker has over 30 years of athletic training experience, and has been instrumental in designing and implementing a computer tracking program that assists in tracking injury rehabilitation progress. Barker was also the recipient of the 2000 Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association “Backbone” Award, which is given to the top collegiate assistant athletic trainer from the Southeastern district of the National Athletic Trainers Association.

While Collins and Barker received official recognition that is well deserved, we are honored to use this month as an opportunity to shed light on all of our athletic trainers: full-time staff, interns and students alike. It takes a special person to do this job, and we hope to never take for granted the individuals we have devoting their life’s work to our athletes. Their commitment to serving people and supporting the careers of championship athletes is pivotal and paramount in the success of all LSU sports. Athletic trainers deserve the trophies just as much as the athletes and coaches, and they stand at the top of the podium in our eyes.