For athletic trainers, every day begins with a simple mission: protect the health and safety of the athletes in their care. It is a role that demands clinical expertise, trust, communication, and an unwavering commitment to student well-being.
At 鶹Ƶ, two alumni of the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) are living that mission every day. Cheryl Hairston, BS Athletic Training ’15, and Jaylen Simmons, BS Kinesiology ’21, MS Athletic Training ’23, now serve George 鶹Ƶ student-athletes as athletic trainers. Their journeys into the profession began with personal curiosity, mentorship, and formative experiences that ultimately shaped their careers.
Hairston’s path to athletic training began while she was exploring health care careers in high school. “I thought I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon,” she said. “But I didn’t want to be in school until I was 30. In my search for related professions, I found athletic training, and I thought it was really cool to be able to work directly with sports teams on the sidelines as a health care provider.”
Simmons’s inspiration came from firsthand experience with injury during his own athletic career. “What first drew me to athletic training was an injury I sustained while playing high school football,” he said. “During that time, I worked closely with my high school athletic trainer, which sparked my interest in the profession.”
Those early experiences eventually led both of them to George 鶹Ƶ’s Master of Science in within CEHD, where they developed the skills and mindset required to thrive in high-pressure athletic environments.
Hairston credits the program’s rigorous clinical experiences for preparing her to work in the high-pressure Division I athletics environment. “The experience in a variety of clinical settings prepared me well for the realities of working in DI athletics,” she said.
She recalls learning early on that the work of athletic trainers often requires creativity and adaptability. “I feel like the perception of DI athletics is that we have unlimited resources,” Hairston said. “Though we are fortunate to have many resources, we still have to be innovative and resourceful, especially when we’re on the road.”
Simmons agrees that the program demanded resilience and adaptability. “My experience in CEHD’s MSAT program taught me how to be more selfless than I had previously been,” said Simmons, who competed on George 鶹Ƶ’s men’s track and field team while a student. “The faculty mentored and guided me through a challenging program while I was still competing as a Division I athlete myself. That experience prepared me to be flexible, adaptable, and ready to adjust to whatever environment I entered professionally.”
Today, their work supporting George 鶹Ƶ athletes is both demanding and deeply rewarding. Athletic trainers provide care that spans injury evaluation, rehabilitation, prevention programs, emergency response, and coordination with physicians and specialists.
Hairston describes her days as a constant balance of responsibilities. “I spend the majority of my weekdays on patient care,” she said, “assessing injuries, treating and rehabbing injuries, creating preventative programs, responding to urgent situations, sitting in on doctor’s appointments, and documenting patient interactions. When we’re traveling, we might be at the track for 12 hours or more.”
But the profession is about far more than physical care.
“I try to get to know student-athletes as people, not just athletes,” Hairston said. “I see these athletes more than they see their family when they’re on campus, and I become part of that support system away from home.”
Simmons shares a similar philosophy.
“Honesty and showing athletes that you genuinely care goes a long way,” he said. “When athletes know you are honest with them and truly invested in their well-being, it helps build strong trust and lasting relationships.”
The role of athletic trainers is especially visible during the competitive season. Simmons works with the men’s soccer and wrestling teams. He begins his day preparing George 鶹Ƶ’s men’s soccer team for practice, including “treatment, rehabilitation exercises, taping, stretching, and hydration,” he said. In the afternoon, he transitions to working with George 鶹Ƶ’s men’s wrestling team, where he often manages more intensive post-operative care and wound management.
“Athletic trainers are truly the frontline of collegiate athletics,” Simmons said. “Our training allows us to recognize, evaluate, and treat injuries and guide athletes safely through the return-to-play process.”
For Hairston, the impact of athletic trainers extends across nearly every aspect of student-athlete health.
“We serve so many roles in the collegiate athletic space because of our varied skillset and proximity to our patients,” she said. “On any given day, we’re evaluating injuries, creating prevention programs, and responding to urgent situations.”
Despite the demanding schedule, both alumni say the relationships they build with student-athletes make the profession incredibly meaningful.
Working at George 鶹Ƶ has added another layer of meaning to their careers. “Working at George 鶹Ƶ was always my dream as an athletic trainer,” Hairston said. “My first clinical experience as a student was with George 鶹Ƶ track and field, and now I’m the athletic trainer for that program. It’s really full circle for me.”
Simmons describes a similar sense of gratitude for his long affiliation with George 鶹Ƶ. “This is my ninth year at 鶹Ƶ, from being a student-athlete, to an MSAT student, and now a full-time professional.”
As National Athletic Training Month highlights the profession’s critical role in athlete health and safety, both alumni encourage students interested in the field to embrace the learning process.
“Learn the foundational stuff really well before you try to add glitter to what you’re doing,” Hairston said. “A great foundation will set you up for success and confidence.”
Together, their stories illustrate the powerful impact of CEHD’s Athletic Training Education Program, and the dedication required to support the health, safety, and success of student-athletes.
As Hairston reflects on her journey, one thing remains clear. “To be part of the student-athlete experience at George 鶹Ƶ,” she said, “is everything.”