Bowling Green State University Athletics
A View of the Falcons' Athletic Training Room
Beyond The Ice - Part Three: Athletic Training
December 20, 2011 | Ice Hockey
A special look behind the scenes at the daily duties of athletic trainer Dan Fischer
Throughout the months of December and January, BGSU Athletic Communications will release a series of videos detailing the work done behind the scenes at the BGSU Ice Arena and on the road.
This installment focuses on the work done behind the scenes by athletic trainer Dan Fischer.
Below is an interview with Fischer, detailing the work that goes into the profession. A video tour of the athletic training room can be found at the bottom of the page.
Q&A With Athletic Trainer Dan Fischer
JE: How did you end up at Bowling Green?
DF: I completed my undergraduate work at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. I majored in athletic training/sports medicine. After I graduated, I came to Bowling Green for graduate school, where I got my master's degree in sports administration. During that time, I worked with men's soccer and softball as my two primary sports. After graduation I started my first full time job as an assistant athletic trainer at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. I worked there for a year with the volleyball and softball programs. Then in the summer of 2010, I came back to Bowling Green, where I am currently in my second year working with ice hockey, swimming and tennis.
JE: Take us through the duties of an athletic trainer.
DF: Each day is very different. You never know what you are going to have when you come to the office. You don't know if it's going to be a quiet day, or if it's going to be a day where guys are getting banged up. You're never sure what you are going to see. It's a job that requires you to be on your toes at all times – there is never a dull moment.
During practice days, I arrive early to the rink and begin to set up for that days' practice. The injured athletes will arrive early for pre-practice treatments and to determine their status for that practice (full go, full practice without contact, no practice, etc). After practice, the rest of the day is spent evaluating new injuries that occurred during that day's practice and continued treatment and rehab. I typically have the guys report for three treatments a day (before/after practice and if his class schedule/study schedule allows again later that day.)
Once the athletes leave for class, I update the coaching staff on injuries and other pertinent information regarding the athlete's health. I am also in daily contact with Kenny Goodrich (strength and conditioning coach) about any limitations during the lift. Kenny is great at adapting the workout to each player's injury. Also, if a player needs added protection put into his equipment due to injury, I tell “Scooter” the injury and he makes it happen.
A typical game day will consist of getting here early enough to get things set up for the game that night. Stuff as simple as making sure the benches are ready with all the proper equipment, making sure the visitors are all set with their medical needs, and making sure that the “game-day” medical supplies (suture sets, etc) are easily assessable. When the guys arrive, I make sure they are ready for the game. I'll do some pre- game treatments and take care of whatever they need at the time for that night's game.
During the game, I obviously watch and make sure everyone is healthy. The most difficult part of games is watching the puck, but also taking note of what's occurring after the puck has been played. After the puck has been played I will normally take a second or two to watch the past play because most of the time, injuries occur after the puck is gone. You have to keep your eyes on the hit that's being made, as well as, where the puck is headed. I'm almost trying to watch two games at once.
From there, I'm always checking up on guys during games. For example, if they block a shot and limp to the bench, I'll get his attention and he will either give me a thumbs up or down to make sure they can go on the next shift. I am constantly communicating with the players and coaches throughout the game.
After the game, I will do a quick locker room check to make sure everyone is good. We have Dr. “Wojo” (Wojciechowski) here every home game, so I go through the locker room after the game to make sure the guys don't need to talk to him (Dr. “Wojo”) about anything, or if they need to get stitched up or a referral for anything. Typically we're here for about an hour and a half post game doing treatments and getting ready for the next day's game.
JE: Is there an injury that hockey players are more prone to?
DF: Being a full contact sport, you are going to see a variety of different injuries. I typically see lots of contusions (bruises) from blocked shots, slashes, and the daily collisions. Also, hockey players are prone to shoulder injuries (AC Joint Sprains, dislocations, etc). The biggest cause for concern is obviously concussions. The sport is doing its best to reduce this injury, but until we find a way to completely avoid them, our best method of keeping the guys healthy is through education and conservative treatment. Every year, the team is educated about the seriousness of concussions, taught the signs and symptoms, and told to report any symptoms to me immediately. When a player is diagnosed with a concussion, he is put through a strict progression protocol. During this time the athlete is constantly being monitored, and once he makes it through the protocol without any symptoms, he will be allowed to fully participate.
Obviously each team and each season brings about different injuries. Each day you are not sure what you're going to see.
JE: Describe the atmosphere around the team.
DF: We are one big family – we are all striving for the same goal and to better ourselves each day. Everyone has each other's backs. It's a long season, you have to have that. If you don't, it wouldn't be a good environment for anyone. Everyone around here knows that if you're having a bad day, there is always people here that can get your spirits back up; whether it is a good laugh or a serious talk. There's never a dull moment. It's like having 25+ brothers here in one place, and it definitely makes each day interesting.
A Video Tour Of The Athletic Training Room With Dan Fischer
This installment focuses on the work done behind the scenes by athletic trainer Dan Fischer.
Below is an interview with Fischer, detailing the work that goes into the profession. A video tour of the athletic training room can be found at the bottom of the page.
Q&A With Athletic Trainer Dan Fischer
JE: How did you end up at Bowling Green?
DF: I completed my undergraduate work at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. I majored in athletic training/sports medicine. After I graduated, I came to Bowling Green for graduate school, where I got my master's degree in sports administration. During that time, I worked with men's soccer and softball as my two primary sports. After graduation I started my first full time job as an assistant athletic trainer at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. I worked there for a year with the volleyball and softball programs. Then in the summer of 2010, I came back to Bowling Green, where I am currently in my second year working with ice hockey, swimming and tennis.
JE: Take us through the duties of an athletic trainer.
DF: Each day is very different. You never know what you are going to have when you come to the office. You don't know if it's going to be a quiet day, or if it's going to be a day where guys are getting banged up. You're never sure what you are going to see. It's a job that requires you to be on your toes at all times – there is never a dull moment.
During practice days, I arrive early to the rink and begin to set up for that days' practice. The injured athletes will arrive early for pre-practice treatments and to determine their status for that practice (full go, full practice without contact, no practice, etc). After practice, the rest of the day is spent evaluating new injuries that occurred during that day's practice and continued treatment and rehab. I typically have the guys report for three treatments a day (before/after practice and if his class schedule/study schedule allows again later that day.)
Once the athletes leave for class, I update the coaching staff on injuries and other pertinent information regarding the athlete's health. I am also in daily contact with Kenny Goodrich (strength and conditioning coach) about any limitations during the lift. Kenny is great at adapting the workout to each player's injury. Also, if a player needs added protection put into his equipment due to injury, I tell “Scooter” the injury and he makes it happen.
A typical game day will consist of getting here early enough to get things set up for the game that night. Stuff as simple as making sure the benches are ready with all the proper equipment, making sure the visitors are all set with their medical needs, and making sure that the “game-day” medical supplies (suture sets, etc) are easily assessable. When the guys arrive, I make sure they are ready for the game. I'll do some pre- game treatments and take care of whatever they need at the time for that night's game.
During the game, I obviously watch and make sure everyone is healthy. The most difficult part of games is watching the puck, but also taking note of what's occurring after the puck has been played. After the puck has been played I will normally take a second or two to watch the past play because most of the time, injuries occur after the puck is gone. You have to keep your eyes on the hit that's being made, as well as, where the puck is headed. I'm almost trying to watch two games at once.
From there, I'm always checking up on guys during games. For example, if they block a shot and limp to the bench, I'll get his attention and he will either give me a thumbs up or down to make sure they can go on the next shift. I am constantly communicating with the players and coaches throughout the game.
After the game, I will do a quick locker room check to make sure everyone is good. We have Dr. “Wojo” (Wojciechowski) here every home game, so I go through the locker room after the game to make sure the guys don't need to talk to him (Dr. “Wojo”) about anything, or if they need to get stitched up or a referral for anything. Typically we're here for about an hour and a half post game doing treatments and getting ready for the next day's game.
JE: Is there an injury that hockey players are more prone to?
DF: Being a full contact sport, you are going to see a variety of different injuries. I typically see lots of contusions (bruises) from blocked shots, slashes, and the daily collisions. Also, hockey players are prone to shoulder injuries (AC Joint Sprains, dislocations, etc). The biggest cause for concern is obviously concussions. The sport is doing its best to reduce this injury, but until we find a way to completely avoid them, our best method of keeping the guys healthy is through education and conservative treatment. Every year, the team is educated about the seriousness of concussions, taught the signs and symptoms, and told to report any symptoms to me immediately. When a player is diagnosed with a concussion, he is put through a strict progression protocol. During this time the athlete is constantly being monitored, and once he makes it through the protocol without any symptoms, he will be allowed to fully participate.
Obviously each team and each season brings about different injuries. Each day you are not sure what you're going to see.
JE: Describe the atmosphere around the team.
DF: We are one big family – we are all striving for the same goal and to better ourselves each day. Everyone has each other's backs. It's a long season, you have to have that. If you don't, it wouldn't be a good environment for anyone. Everyone around here knows that if you're having a bad day, there is always people here that can get your spirits back up; whether it is a good laugh or a serious talk. There's never a dull moment. It's like having 25+ brothers here in one place, and it definitely makes each day interesting.
A Video Tour Of The Athletic Training Room With Dan Fischer
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