WEEKLY SPOTLIGHT: A Tribute to NC Wesleyan’s Athletic Training Staff

Rocky Mount, NC - Most Bishop fans show up for games about ten minutes ahead of time.  They grab a game program, find a seat, and watch a few minutes of warm-ups.  They proceed to applaud Bishop athletes as they knock down jumpers, drive in runs, and score goals, unaware of the behind-the-scenes work that went into getting those same athletes into game condition.  Whether it be nursing a sprained ankle from the week before, treating dehydration after an illness, or simply taping and stretching an athlete prior to the game, the work of the Athletic Training Staff at North Carolina Wesleyan often goes on behind closed doors and is never fully appreciated. 

March, however, is National Athletic Training Month.  In support of the Athletic Trainers that we are blessed to have on our staff here at Wesleyan, we focus this spotlight on those “behind-the-scenes” workers that are major contributors to the success of our athletic squads.

The Bishops are fortunate to have a team of four Certified Athletic Trainers on staff and two athletic training rooms to service our 12 athletic teams on campus. The Certified Athletic Trainers at Wesleyan work hard to prevent, treat, manage, and rehabilitate athletic injuries.  They labor long hours and are often the first to show up and last to leave; they sacrifice nights and weekends for travel; they are frequently the bearers of bad news and are forced to deal with disappointment of coaches and players.

BUT…

They love their jobs.  Combating those disappointments are the joys of watching athletes overcome injuries and find success.  Making those long hours worthwhile are the championships and big wins that they get to celebrate with coaches and players.

SO…

We now salute Carol Carson, Nate Clark, and Matt Shepard.  Take time below to learn something new about their profession and each of them individually.

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Definition of an Athletic Trainer

An athletic trainer is a person who meets the qualifications set by a state regulatory board and/or the Board of Certification, Inc.  He/She practices athletic training under the direction of a physician.  His/Her duties include: providing physical medicine and rehabilitation services; preventing, assessing, and treating injuries (acute and chronic); coordinating care with physicians and other allied health providers.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Athletic Training Department at North Carolina Wesleyan College is to provide for the physical well being of the student athlete by providing quality medical care through the prevention, treatment, management, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.

Head Athletic Trainer / SWA CAROL CARSON
Carol Carson begins her 21st year as the Head Athletic Trainer at North Carolina Wesleyan. Carson graduated from East Carolina University in 1983 with a B.S. in School and Community Health with an emphasis in Sports Medicine. She went on to earn her Master's in Health and Physical Education the following year.  During that time, Carson also became a Certified Athletic Trainer.

In addition to her duties as head athletic trainer, Carson also serves at NCWC's Senior Woman Administrator.  She is a 2006 Athletics Hall of Fame inductee. 

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER NATE CLARK
Nate Clark begins his fifth year as a member of the Athletic Training staff at North Carolina Wesleyan.  He graduated from Lock Haven University in 2001 with a Bachelor's degree in Health Science. 

Clark went on to attend Ohio University where he worked as graduate assistant and completed his Master's degree.  He spent one year working at Lafayette College before joining the Wesleyan staff.

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER MATT SHEPARD
Matt Shepard enters his first year with the North Carolina Wesleyan Athletic Training staff.  The Crofton, MD native joins NCWC after spending 2006-07 as a graduate assistant at California University (PA).

Shepard is a 2004 graduate of Frostburg State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training.  He went on to earn his Master's degree in the same field, graduating in May of 2007. 

To learn more about the Athletic Training department here at NC Wesleyan, including hours of operation and treatment options, please visit http://annex.ncwc.edu/athletics/sports_medicine/index.htm.  A facility tour is also available via this site.