Also, I Deserve No Credit for The Graphics in This Post, They Are Michelle's Own Divine Creation
Mar 28, 2006
Today I am pleased to present the first installment out of at least three and maybe five of a feature in which Michelle helps us cover somre remaining March topics. For example, today she addresses National Athletic Trainer Month. All of the posts in this feature also conclude with a special poem written in honor of National Poetry Month, which actually might be April but I think we can all agree we're close enough. Anyway, here we go:
I was very excited to educate the LMNOP readership about Athletic
Trainers Month, as I thought that this month was dedicated to personal
trainers. I figured that personal trainers deserved their own month as
many seem to be ex-college athletes with no hope of a professional
career, which may or may not make them as qualified as peanuts or water
to tell you what to do at the gym. Then a personal trainer at my gym
told me I was fat, and that's pretty much when I was about to give up
on this post altogether. Luckily, through my research [If I thought
you cared enough to check out the facts, I'd refer you to the NATA website
to learn more about athletic training. Since I doubt your commitment to
this celebration, I'm hoping you'll just take my word as the gospel
truth.], I learned that personal training is a completely different
profession than athletic training, with athletic trainers being
infinitely better than personal trainers.
Athletic trainers, much like Gatorade, began their rich and storied history on college campuses, then then spread their sugary, sweat-replenishing goodness throughout the entire nation. They are essentially a poor-man's/college athlete's, less-educated physical therapist. Their days are split between the following important activities: wholeheartedly supporting the team (this may involve face and/or chest painting); playing with medical tape (specifically, making animal figurines); "assisting the athletic director as needed" (this probably includes dodging unwanted sexual advances, maybe also some xeroxing); celebrating Athletic Trainers month (sending e-greeting cards, making posters); and estimating the severity of a sports-injury by comparing said injury to a fruit or ball ("That bruise is the size of a grapefruit!").
Notice that not even one minute of this day is spent calling me fat; truly, these people are heroes. In honor of these Athletic Trainers--dare I say Gods--I humbly submit this Cinquain. (In case you do not teach English for a living/do not enjoy elementary school poetry, a cinquain is a five line poem which follows a 2-4-6-8-2 syllabic pattern. I ignored the two syllable rule for the first line as "athletic" contains a disappointing number of syllables.)
Athletic trainers, much like Gatorade, began their rich and storied history on college campuses, then then spread their sugary, sweat-replenishing goodness throughout the entire nation. They are essentially a poor-man's/college athlete's, less-educated physical therapist. Their days are split between the following important activities: wholeheartedly supporting the team (this may involve face and/or chest painting); playing with medical tape (specifically, making animal figurines); "assisting the athletic director as needed" (this probably includes dodging unwanted sexual advances, maybe also some xeroxing); celebrating Athletic Trainers month (sending e-greeting cards, making posters); and estimating the severity of a sports-injury by comparing said injury to a fruit or ball ("That bruise is the size of a grapefruit!").
Notice that not even one minute of this day is spent calling me fat; truly, these people are heroes. In honor of these Athletic Trainers--dare I say Gods--I humbly submit this Cinquain. (In case you do not teach English for a living/do not enjoy elementary school poetry, a cinquain is a five line poem which follows a 2-4-6-8-2 syllabic pattern. I ignored the two syllable rule for the first line as "athletic" contains a disappointing number of syllables.)
Athletic trainers
Are certified.
They can splint your finger.
They're quite good at ankle-taping.
Helpful!
OUCH. although athletic training and physical therapy do overlap as far as rehabillitation goes, we treat different patient populations. ATC's deal with athletes and the physically active, PT's deal with a variety of different populations. Also we are not "less-educated" we are educated in a different setting. Besides the gross misrepresentation of my profession, thanks for getting the word out there.
Posted by: Matt | Jun 19, 2006 at 01:16 AM
Double ouch for athletic trainers and personal trainers! I think it is neat that you took the time to find out more about the athletic training profession and then write about it in your blog. However, both professionals, athletic trainers and personal trainers, have different skill sets and different goals when working with their clients/patients. Even though a college degree is not required to be a personal trainer, it does involve acquiring specialized knowledge and skill. Athletic training does require a minimum of a four year degree in athletic training and at most institutions, is as competative and challenging as physical therapy. As Matt stated in the previous comment, even though athletic trainers and physical therapists may use the same modalities, exercises and techniques, they often treat different patient populations.
Posted by: Mary | Nov 27, 2007 at 06:57 PM
Hi ladies. I think you will find it of interest that during an NATA PR committee meeting we came across your site. We read with interest your reference to the profession -- alas why do we rank BELOW dog walkers. Please know that these medical professionals take their jobs seriously -- 70% have a masters degree or higher and we take pride in preventing, assessing, treating and rehabilitating injuries and illnesses.
I'm sure you've seen us on the sidelines of sports teams -- we are the first responders when an athlete goes down -- but we're also in so many other settings: performing arts, military, corporate, rehab centers/clinics and a wide variety of other environments where getting people back to activity in a safe and effective manner is our most important goal.
We very much DIFFER from physical therapists and particularly personal trainers - who focus solely on fitness and conditioning.
We know you're aware of the NATA.org Web site but wonder if you might be interested in this profession for yourself. You've done your research but PLEASE put us at the top of your occupational list!
You can also visit the bocatc.org site -- the Board of Certification site which will tell you more about the profession and certification.
Thanks for helping us spread the word.
Posted by: NATA PR Committee | Dec 09, 2007 at 10:52 AM
haha! ohh...for a second i thought it was a hilarious joke but now i realize you were serious and how offensive this is. shame on you. but as a dog walker i thank you for recognizing my importance over athletic trainers.
Posted by: Danielle | Dec 12, 2007 at 07:07 PM
I just noticed that after you reach a certain point on the occupational hierarchy, you lose the right to sport a monocle.
I'm stopping at Mr. Peanut.
Posted by: D.C. | Dec 13, 2007 at 12:20 AM
It's such a shame that this riduculous blog comes up under a search for Athletic Training Month. As an athletic trainer, I do find the sarcastic attempt at humor to be irritating and somewhat offensive. I hope that none of my athletic training students bothered to review this site during a recent assignment about Athletic training month. I suggest a deeper look into the profession as you seem to misunderstand it.
Posted by: Angela emerson | Feb 28, 2008 at 04:29 PM
the chart on this site is hilarious! NICE WORK!!! even though it doesnt help me with my project...=)))
Posted by: Chris | Mar 05, 2008 at 11:30 AM
I love it when people take something way too seriously. The only comment I allowed to affect my perspective on athletic trainers was Danielle's observation concerning the right to wear a monocle. So true. So true.
As far as taking something way too seriously goes...I really think you should have placed Mr. Peanut above Athletic Trainers. The brand recognition he inspires alone is enough to distinguish his importance as significantly higher than some random occupation I've never heard of.
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Posted by: Miraclestudios -- web design company | Jun 13, 2008 at 05:02 AM
So you're fat. No need to put down an entire profession. Take a midol and get on the treadmill.
Posted by: | Nov 06, 2008 at 10:57 PM
lol well obviously your fat. you had the time to sit on your ass and make all this up maybe you should find something better to do with your time? exercise haha
Posted by: | Nov 08, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Something causes me to suspect that Michelle (who wrote this post) weighs at least 50 pounds less than either of the people who wrote the previous two comments.
Posted by: Lauren | Nov 08, 2008 at 12:07 PM
where exactly does blogger fit on this hierarchy?
Posted by: | Nov 10, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Oh, I'd say we're pretty high up there.
Posted by: Lauren | Nov 11, 2008 at 03:35 PM
How is the post still getting comments!!!
Posted by: Jerome | Nov 11, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Who ever thought that the most contentious topics on the internet would be National Athletic Trainer Month and bad fonts?
Posted by: EmGusk | Nov 12, 2008 at 09:31 AM
There's nothing better than a thread that won't die. As an Athletic Trainer I'd like to say, this is pretty freaking funny. I never thought I'd see the day when there would be any kind of satire related to athletic training. Though I would say that the "Playing with tape" slice of the pie chart should be considerably bigger. Making animal figurines from athletic tape is no easy task and requires years of practice.
Keep on blogging.
Posted by: Mike Horan, ATC | Nov 12, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Best Athletic Trainer EVER!
Posted by: Lauren | Nov 13, 2008 at 07:19 PM
wow. this is extremely offensive and poorly written. I am uphalled at the ignorance of whoever wrote this blog. Just a tip, do your homework, you'll find that us "less-educated" Athletic Trainers are more than you think...i don't know why i even wrote this...you're probrably a dog walker...hence the graphic.
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Posted by: betty | Dec 13, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I believe when you wrote "uphalled" you actually intended to write "appalled," which means to be greatly dismayed or horrified. I learned that when I did my homework in dogwalking school.
Posted by: Dogwalkers rule | Dec 14, 2008 at 07:28 PM
I am an Athletic Trainer and I too think that National Athletic Trainer's Month is quite silly.
On the other hand, our profession is important for the prevention, treatment and managementof Athletic injuries.
Just ask the athletes that I work with on a daily basis.
Some of us need to work on our spelling though....
Posted by: ATC Guy | Dec 16, 2008 at 12:10 AM
This blog is absolutely ridiculous and down right idiotic. Anyone who knows anything about athletic training would read this and be offended. If that was your point in doing so... well done.
Why don't you take a look at the NATA website to gather your information next time before you fabricate these outlandish facts. Spend one hour with an athletic trainer and your fallacies would be corrected. Do us all a favor in this profession... delete this contamination of a blob.
Posted by: CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER | Mar 18, 2009 at 06:03 PM
I think you meant to say "contamination of a BLOG," Trainer.
Posted by: James Buchanan | Mar 21, 2009 at 04:33 PM
This blog is completely offensive to myself and Athletic Trainers across the country. We work hard to keep athletes healthy and in the game. And yes, our field is very demanding... much more than your pie chart displays. Athletic Trainers take pride in their profession and are appreciated for what they do. Next time do a little research before you try belittling an entire profession on your blog.
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Posted by: life experience degree | May 21, 2009 at 02:04 AM
I am an ATC and I am really offended by this. You have no idea how hard we work and the time and effort we put into our education. Our hours and work environment may not always be the best, but we do our job not only because we are good at it but because we love it. We are eons ahead of personal trainers and, while similar to physical therapists, we share a different skill set in several areas.
You are completely ignorant to our profession.
Posted by: The ATC | Aug 04, 2009 at 11:56 PM
This blog is way out of line. I have worked my whole life to properly represent my profession and to promote good health and wellness, and then I find something like this. You have offended one-eyed doctors everywhere and I hope you're happy. hmph...
Posted by: Lance | Aug 24, 2009 at 02:24 PM
hahaha, Lance FTW
Posted by: Lauren | Aug 24, 2009 at 07:39 PM
You are obviously a [email protected]$$ for writing this blog...I mean who decides that when they get bored they are going to talk about a profession that helps athletes and physically active people??? OBVIOUSLY A [email protected]$$!
Posted by: ANikki | Sep 14, 2009 at 08:56 PM
Hey Fatty, stop blogging about your ignorance.
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Posted by: Simplify Solutions | Nov 12, 2009 at 03:48 PM
These athletic trainers should voice their opposition to Michelle's gravely offensive representation of their highly esteemed profession by paying to send her to a hamster prison in France.
Posted by: Adam | Nov 28, 2009 at 08:28 PM
You are pathetic for even writing something like this. A sports medicine team includes Athletic trainers, doctors, physical therapists, personal trainers, coaches, and a variety of other VERY educated individuals. All of our knowledge overlaps in areas but we work together to better the lives of physically active people. We know more about the make up of the body than any average Joe. We are no less educated than other professions- we are educated in a different realm- that is all. So get you facts right before you start to make sarcastic and hurtful comments on a blog. Seriously- get a life.
Posted by: Athletic Trainer | Dec 03, 2009 at 03:21 PM
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Posted by: The Nashik | May 01, 2010 at 01:37 AM
I'm an ATC and I thought it was funny. On the other hand, maybe I should be more insecure.
Posted by: erin | Jun 12, 2010 at 02:19 PM
I find this funny and is very eye opening because it is a very accurate representation of how the profession of Athletic Training is interpreted and represented which means with little understanding or desire to know the details and skill sets and education that is required for this profession. I am a certified athletic trainer and have worked for a variety of settings including: 4 year colleges, junior colleges, high school, pro and semi pro athletics, physical therapy clinics, and now in an industrial setting. I must say that the profession is grossly misrepresented and I have to say that part comes from the title "athletic trainer" however if you are trying to promote interest then i feel that if should be furthered researched. Everyone has their own opinion however starting off with "I was very excited to educate the LMNOP readership about Athletic Trainers Month..." is not what you did at all you. Thank you for at least putting in the NATA website so people at least know where to go to get accurate information.
Posted by: ATC California | Jun 28, 2010 at 10:06 PM
LOL This blog sucks ! Well if me wanting to be an athletic trainer is less important then a dog walker, then you are probably where Mr. Peanut is because it takes someone with a peanut brain to write this kind of stuff.
SNOB!!
Posted by: Adrian Panameno | Jan 21, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Your column about people who went through 4yr accredited college and 2yr masters programs seems short sided on your part. If your an unhappy person, get a hug from your loved one. (I doubt you have one)Maybe a dog! I say a dog because taking the dog for long walks might give you time to reflect on what garbage you send to print.might help you round out that fat ass you`ve been sporting.
Posted by: Ray Raini | Apr 07, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Nice presentation Thank u
Posted by: Lighina VB | Nov 14, 2011 at 12:31 AM
So you're fat. No need to put down an entire profession. Take a midol and get on the treadmill.
Posted by: diamond | Jul 11, 2012 at 03:23 AM
A poor mans physical therapist...and what do you do for a living? Scoop pond scum??
"They are essentially a poor-man's/college athlete's, less-educated physical therapist. Their days are split between the following important activities: wholeheartedly supporting the team (this may involve face and/or chest painting); playing with medical tape (specifically, making animal figurines); "assisting the athletic director as needed" (this probably includes dodging unwanted sexual advances, maybe also some xeroxing); celebrating Athletic Trainers month (sending e-greeting cards, making posters); and estimating the severity of a sports-injury by comparing said injury to a fruit or ball ("That bruise is the size of a grapefruit!")."
Posted by: keri | Aug 21, 2012 at 09:43 PM
As a professional and an educator working at a prestigious university, I feel it is appropriate to help those people who are confused about what an Athletic Trainer does... Here's a video that describes what my profession entails and demands of me not only everyday but for my professional career, enjoy!
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=V77aKePolaY&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DV77aKePolaY
Posted by: Lorena ATC | Mar 27, 2013 at 06:54 PM
Honestly as an ATC, I've learned to have a sense of humor.
Without it dealing with overly serious coaches could become
Quite a burden. I honestly laughed at your snarky, sarcastic
Take on my profession, and yes,if you have spent muh time in a
Traditional training room you have undoubtedly perfected tape animals
Christmas trees and the like.
You lost me at the characterization as a "lesser educated PT".
I along with many others in my profession have spent years
Educating ourselves to be able provide our very best care to our athletes
And patients. Please reconsider your representation of an entire
Profession. But please keep your snarky and fun commentary as well!
Posted by: ATC Girl | Jan 28, 2014 at 06:25 PM