Paul LaDuke runs the promotetheprofession.com website dedicated to the athletic training profession; giving snippets of our daily work and even frustrations. In a recent post Paul published a Facebook status that eloquently highlights frustrations with some coaches. I must say that I have had few instances of “problems” but when they arise they are the bane of our existence. I will share the fb status with you and then go to this LINK for Paul’s breakdown;
I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep over wins and losses and you curse the ATC. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That victories, while glorious; and losses while tragic, are not nearly as important to me as the health and safety of my athletes. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, keeps kids safe. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about with other coaches, you want me on that sideline, you need me on that sideline. We use words like professionalism and loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a career spent protecting something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the safety that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way.
The theme is obviously from “A Few Good Men”, but it does pretty much sum it up.
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In Paul’s most recent entry he uses the Austin Trenum story as fuel for having an athletic trainer at every high school, at the least;
The sad realization is this, that if an experienced athletic trainer was managing this football player’s concussion I firmly believe this young man would be alive today. If the parents were instructed about cocoon therapy properly, then this young man may be a freshman in college today. But, only 42% of this countries high schools provide an AT for their athletes! We need to change this or there will be more sad stories, more grieving parents, more schools who will lose a bright student and a vibrant member of their community.
Paul great work!
The Concussion Blog 