On Friday nights at Jones County High School, while fans focus on the scoreboard, a different kind of teamwork is taking place on the sidelines that helps keep student-athletes healthy and in the game.
Through a partnership with Georgia College & State University, graduate students in the athletic training program are providing hands-on care and real-world experience that benefits both schools.
The head athletic trainer at Jones County High School is Garrett Law, a Berry College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training. Law has served in his role for more than two years and said his main goal is to prepare graduate students for future careers.
“One of my big focuses is allowing the students to be as hands-on as much as I can let them,” Law said. “I do my best to let them take the lead in things like evaluations, treatments, and decision-making. I always make sure we do what is best for the student-athletes, but taking ownership really helps the student athletic trainers develop confidence.”
Students in the GCSU athletic training program said the opportunity allows them to apply what they learned as undergraduates while continuing to build their skills in a professional setting.
“I like that we do everything in my cohort together,” said Luke Parris, a first-year graduate student. “We all take the same classes, and it’s nice to learn from my peers as well as help them. I also enjoy learning from somebody like Garrett Law, who has really helped me grow into a better athletic trainer. He helps me and I help him — it is a good system that benefits both.”
The partnership also helps Law manage the daily demands of caring for student-athletes. Graduate students assist with taping, stretching, and monitoring practices, allowing Law to oversee multiple areas at once.
“We treat a lot of student athletes on a daily basis, and having the trained hands to stretch, tape, and do pre-performance treatments is a huge advantage,” Law said. “During events like football games or wrestling meets with multiple mats, or any event where there is a lot of action, having more eyes looking for injuries is important.”
As the partnership continues, Jones County athletes receive consistent medical care while GCSU students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in athletic training.