NCC athletics is known for many things; the national championships, the dynasties, the legendary athletes. Yet, one crucial part of their success often goes unnoticed—athletic trainers.
The hidden heroes
March is National Athletic Training Month, a month dedicated to highlighting the important work done by athletic trainers. An athletic trainer’s role is to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries in athletes.
Many often overlook their importance, seeing them as behind-the-scenes figures. However, they have played a crucial role in many of the recovery stories told by athletes. When an athlete goes down, it is usually the trainers who are the first to spring into action. For example, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered commotio cordis, a rare condition where a chest blow disrupts the heart’s rhythm. Athletic trainers rushed to his side and resuscitated him, likely saving his life. It goes to show how important athletic trainers are towards the health and safety of athletes.
For athletic trainer Brittney James, ‘10, the journey began with a simple conversation.
“A coach of mine in high school talked to me about my post high school plans,” James said. “They mentioned they thought I would enjoy being an athletic trainer and that it might be worth looking into.”
She then was a high school trainer in York, Illinois before officially joining the NCC athletic training staff before the 2015-16 school year.
“My athletic training journey started at NCC so it has impacted me in so many ways as a healthcare professional and as a person,” she said, “I think some of the biggest influences can be seen in how we shape our mission for athletic trainers at NCC.”
All in a day’s work
James, along with the other five trainers, play a crucial role across all NCC sports. Baseball player Joe Hamilton, ‘25, whose position requires lots of physical strain, credits James for keeping him healthy.
“Brittany has taught us so much more than just injury recovery,” Hamilton said. “She’s shown us how to take care of our bodies every day — from proper stretching routines and staying hydrated to building the mental toughness needed to stay confident during recovery and on the field.”
Just like Hamilton, soccer player Sophia Hein, ‘26, credits the athletic training staff with her success as an athlete.
“The trainers at North Central have played a huge role in helping me achieve my athletics goals,” Hein said, “I have learned many habits from the trainers to keep myself healthy and performing at my best.”
More than a job
Athletic trainers may not be the stars of the show, but they are vital in keeping athletes healthy and at their best.
“Being an AT has taught me many things about myself and about others,” James stated, “it has taught me the importance of seeing the whole person and that building trust is extremely important to helping someone navigate the healthcare system.”
So, this March, take a moment to thank athletic trainers. Without them many athletes would be sitting on the sidelines.
