There are only ten minutes left in the game. Ashton goes up for a lay-up. Then “crack.” Ashton’s on the ground holding his knee. The athletic trainer Mark and Coach Smith comes rushing over. You may be wondering, what do athletic trainers do?

Sports trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. According to Michael Dye, Bob Jones athletic trainer, “A variety of emergencies can happen on the field or court. Anything from concussions to broken bones, to even life threatening injuries. However, most injuries are orthopedic in nature.”

Bob Jones students get the chance to be on the sidelines helping and learning through the Bob Jones Medical Academy.

There are two different departments in the Medical Academy. The first department is Biomedical Science. In Biomedical students explore “the concepts of human medicine and are introduced to research processes and to bioinformatics.” There are three other courses in Biomedical Science: Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovations with Senior Pathway Project.

Health Science is the second department. It’s described as the “foundations of health science integrate academics combined with health care knowledge and skills provide the framework for a strong health care delivery system.” There are two other courses in Health Science: Human Body Structures and Functions (Human Anatomy and Physiology) and Health Science Internship/Honors.

Mrs. Jordan described her role.  “I will train them in first aid, and they have to have American Heart Health Care provider CPR.”

So far, five medical students attend both practice and games when their schedules allow it, and they learn in the field.  Senior Alyssa Kennedy described her experience on the sidelines.  “During practice, we are pretty relaxed. Standing on the sidelines we wrap wrists and hands with tape and try our best to remind the players to stay hydrated. Yes, we go to the games as well. Game day is a different beast than regular after school practice. We are thrust head first into chaos on game night. Standing on the sidelines is dangerous if you aren’t paying attention. Sometimes the players slam out of bounds and you end backing up as quickly as possible while they smash each other. Often players are too dehydrated during the game despite our constant reminding them to hydrate. We deal with cramps and the occasional small time injury. Mike, the real staff on the sidelines, handles most of the serious stuff. But really it is just the greatest to have a front row seat to medical emergencies and see modern medicine in such a touch-and-go setting.”

Mrs. Jordan hopes to add more student interns to the sidelines.