DELHI, N.Y. (March 31, 2020) – With the month of March winding down and amidst these unprecedented times, there are still so many reasons and so many people that make SUNY Delhi the powerful institution it is. It is a campus that embellishes in its reputation of a small, rural scene, with every person who steps on campus understanding their mission of serving as part of SUNY Delhi's footprint. And we couldn't be any prouder to celebrate National Athletic Training Month with our two devoted trainers: Michelle Stemper and Rachel Gleason.
Gleason is in her fourth year serving on the SUNY Delhi athletic training staff, while Stemper is in her first year as Head Athletic Trainer. Both have brought to the Athletics Department unique skillsets to form a solid blend of services they provide for our student-athletes and coaches. With that being said, it was no question that the most qualified people to tell Michelle and Rachel's stories were themselves. While National Athletic Training Month may be coming to a close, it in no way slows down Michelle and Rachel from their incredible work and service to SUNY Delhi!
What (or who) encouraged you to become an athletic trainer?
Michelle: I was 22 and just started my last semester at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. My basketball career was finally winding down. I was 100% lost. I had no idea who or what I would be without basketball in my life anymore, but I also knew that I had to put a lot of space between me and the game. I was an Exercise Science major and my academic adviser, Kenny H., kept bugging me about what I was doing after I graduated. My plan was to study and get my CSCS and a personal training certificate, move back home and figure it out from there. I didn't really want to go back to where I'd grown up but felt I had no other options. Kenny flat out told me I was being an idiot and that "my life plan" was a total waste of who I was and who I could be. The College of St. Scholastica had started an Entry Level Master's in Athletic Training a couple years earlier and he was persistent that I belonged in that program. A 9-5 job was not my calling, he knew I belonged somewhere different. Although I was a student athlete, the emphasis on the student aspect was always questionable. I graduated with a 2.57 GPA, .07 over the minimum requirement to even graduate. I didn't think I stood a chance getting into the program, but Kenny being Kenny had already talked the program director Hal into accepting me, despite my less than stellar grades. I had applied to get Kenny off my back and was surprised when 6 weeks before graduation and 8 weeks before the program started that I had been accepted. I was terrified of failing out, I didn't think I was smart enough. I was terrified of becoming the failure that everyone had predicted I would be once my basketball career was over. Kenny put his reputation on the line for me, so I owed it to him, and he was one of the few people in my life at that time who I could not stand to think that I had disappointed him.
Despite being afraid and not actually believing I could do it, I went for it any way. It wasn't until part way through the 4th (out of 6) semester for me to realize that I could do it, and even more shockingly I could be very successful at it. And from there the rest is history as they say.
It always seems crazy to people when I tell them how I ended up in the field. It was not a traditional path, but Kenny saw more in me than anyone else who was in my life at that point. Most people had pretty much given up that I would ever be anything let alone reach any of the expectations they had originally had for me. If it weren't for Kenny, I would not be where I am and I can say 100% that I would be significantly worse off in life. I work every day for my student athletes, but I also work every single day to make Kenny proud (wherever he is now, living the retired life I think). To have someone believe in me when I couldn't even believe in myself? I owe him more then I will ever be able to repay.
Rachel: When I was a junior in high school, I took a science of sports injuries class. It was one of my favorite classes. We had a guest speaker who was an Athletic Trainer. He talked about his experiences and since then, I knew that was what I wanted to do. He encouraged me to pursue my passion. It took a while, but I eventually made it.
Who is a mentor(s) you look up to in the profession?
Michelle: I have two mentors. The first is Kelly. She was my AT when I was in college and inside of athletics she was the only person who I felt saw me. Not a basketball player, not a piece on their board to move. She saw me, typically at my worst more often than not. Through injuries and through the wear and tear of being a student athlete. She was there every single day, behind the scenes. She probably talked me out of quitting more times then anyone else in my life, without either of us realizing it. She is probably one of the strongest people I have ever met, especially in the profession. If there is anyone else who I want to make proud it's Kelly. And everyday I hope to be half as good as she is, because that's still better then most. She was a rock, and damn good AT.
My other mentor is also a friend, Bekah. She was my supervisor for my internship during grad school, and she's one of the toughest AT's out there. When I get stuck or when I'm really struggling with the job she's usually the first person I reach out to. She's been in the trenches and she gets it. Being able to work with her, she really showed me during my internship the type of AT I want to be someday (and I'm still working toward that) but she gave me the confidence to believe in myself.
There are a lot of other AT's who have played big roles in my career in just six short years, it's a small profession and with any profession it's about building your network and connections to find those people. I never believed people in school, but networking it the whole reason I've made it this far.
Rachel: A mentor I look up to in the Athletic Training profession is Jocelyn Stark. She was my certified while I was assigned to Cornell's gymnastic team while at SUNY Cortland. Besides gymnastics being my favorite rotation, I learned a lot from her. As a student, she gave me more responsibility than others in my class. It not only made me feel like a part of the team but a part of the profession and not just a student.
What was your prior working experience that led you to your current position at SUNY Delhi?
Michelle: I spent my first year out of school working at St. John's University (Collegeville, MN). It was an internship position with hours in a PT clinic and working with the varsity athletes. I was responsible for men's soccer, basketball and track and field. It was trial by fire and my very first day on the job, I was taking someone to the ER for stitches at 8pm on a Sunday. From St. John's I went on to work at NVU-Johnson (formerly Johnson State College) in Johnson, VT where I spent the last four years. There I was responsible for men's and women's soccer, women's basketball, softball, men's tennis and creating the strength and conditioning program for all programs from scratch. My athletic director at NVU-Johnson is actually who told me about the SUNY Delhi position and encouraged me to apply. That's how I ended up here.
Rachel: Before being employed full-time at SUNY Delhi, I worked per diem for SUNY Delhi and Hartwick College since I passed my certification test. I started working part-time for SUNY Delhi while splitting my time at SUNY Cobleskill.
As a former college student-athlete, what were some of your fondest memories? And how did that experience shape you for your career servicing student-athletes?
Michelle: Being a student-athlete at any level presents its own unique challenges. I know this, I lived this. I've had more injuries in a season than most people have in a career. I've made almost every mistake you can make as an athlete. And my kids will make them too. No one can prevent that. But I can make sure that they have someone in their corner who has no stake in wins and losses, my job has nothing to do with seasons won and lost. I honestly can rarely ever tell you a team's record, I can make a good guess but I don't pay that close of attention to it. I set a high standard for all my kids, believe me, I know that. But I want kids to know what they are capable of, some have the support in high school to already have this belief in themselves. Not all of us have that. The biggest thing I learned from being a college athlete had nothing to do with sports, it had to do with life and the type of person I want to be. I'm not there yet, but I'm working toward it every day. I just hope I can be the type of person that I needed when I was younger. I learned that I do not have to change the world, if I positively impact one life over the course of my career, that alone goes a long way.
Rachel: My fondest memories was realizing what I was able to achieve as a runner. I never envisioned myself being a college athlete or that good of a runner. Both as a freshman and a sophomore, I was able to run at nationals in both cross country and outdoor track. Having a background as a college athlete gives me the ability to relate to the current athletes when they are injured.
What separates athletic training at the college level apart from other levels? (professional, high school, etc.)
Michelle: Skill-wise there is nothing that separates different AT settings, from high school to professional or other "non-traditional" AT settings. We all have the same base education and from there you will only be as good as the work you put into it. We have to stay current on new research and skills, and the more effort we put into growing as professionals is really what will limit our opportunities. At D1, D2 and professional levels, there are bigger budgets and resources for things, but that's the business side of athletics and not necessarily related to actual athletic training. It's a profession of experience, the longer you do this, the more you see, the more you know and grow. It's really on the practitioner as to where they put their own ceiling.
Rachel: Even at the college level, athletic training is different within each division. For example, Division I usually has one athletic trainer per sport. Where at our level, it is just the two of us for all the sports. One thing that separates college athletic training in college from high school, is the time spent with the student-athletes. Usually at the high school level, athletic trainers may be outsourced to multiple high schools or not even be present. It is not uncommon for a smaller high school (or high schools in general) to have an athletic trainer present. I know when I was in high school, we did not have an athletic trainer.
What advice can you share with the next generation(s) of Athletic Trainers and being a service to your college and student-athletes?
Michelle: This profession is what we make it. We have to represent ourselves and at times fight for our worth. It's about being a positive advocate to create change in the culture that doesn't always recognize our worth. It's about educating patients, coaches, supervisors and random people we meet. Many of these changes will not really take effect until we have probably left the profession, but we still have to be willing to fight for those behind us. I believe that if I can set the standard higher for someone behind me, they then can have the opportunity to advance the position/profession that much further because I did some of the base work. We sometimes get to use to working solo that we forget our fellow AT's are our greatest resource and help. No matter what setting you want or go into, you gotta work every single day. We are still a "young" profession in a lot of ways and there is a lot of work that us younger generation AT's have to pick up and continue to move forward. Otherwise all the work of our predecessors will have been for nothing. Do your research, know when to fight, when to let it slide and when to make a statement.
Rachel: Never give up. If athletic training is what you want to do, keep fighting for it. It is a job with long hours but is worth it in the end. No two days are similar. It is a nice feeling knowing that you are helping a student-athlete not only recover from injury but achieving their dreams of being a college athlete. Many individuals do not realize what an athletic trainer does. Get used to answering that question a lot.
With this current worldwide crisis we are dealing with, what are some tips you can offer for people to stay active, healthy, and alert?
Michelle: I guess the biggest thing for most people is to find a routine that works for them. Make time to get the work done you have to get done, but make time for things that make you happy. The biggest challenge I think most people are going to face are mental health with the abrupt lifestyle change. I know that's my biggest challenge. Finding a routine to feel like I'm still accomplishing something, but allowing myself to do things that bring me joy. Learn a new skill, practice your cooking skills, start a journal or make art. Try to grow some herbs or flowers. Start doing virtual hangouts, workouts, cooking nights, book clubs. Reach out to friends/family (virtually) that you don't see often and catch up with them, check in on them. Reconnect with the world around you. The possibilities are endless but at the end of the day it comes down to self-discipline and accountability. Be smart, stay safe and find a new hobby.
Rachel: Not to be too repetitive with what is being said, social distancing and quarantining ourselves can help stop the spread. Many individuals can be carriers without showing any symptoms and unknowingly spread it to others. What we are going through is new to everyone and we can be dealing with this for a while. We have to go through this together, it is something unknown and new to everyone. Practicing good hygiene (washing are hands, keeping them away from your face, etc.). Staying active may seem like it can be difficult. With the weather starting to turn nicer, even just taking a walk outside (while maintaining the 6 feet distance) is a good way to stay active. A lot of people may be going stir crazy having to stay home (I know I am) but going for walks (or running) and yoga can help; even if it is just for a little bit.
