After a laboring practice or tough session in the weight room, it is not uncommon to find members of various sports teams in the training room receiving treatment to become the best athletes they can be.
The athletic trainers play a crucial role in GlenOak’s recent athletic success. GlenOak’s athletic training department features two licensed and board-certified athletic trainers: Alexander Shaheen and Logan Scears.
Sports medicine, which focuses on the immediate care for sports injuries as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation, is an increasingly popular field.
Alexander Shaheen MS, AT/ATC, CES a 2006 graduate of GlenOak High School and 2011 graduate of Mount Union took over the position of head athletic trainer in 2012. Logan Scears MS, AT/ATC, a 2021 graduate of Kent State University joined the athletic training team this year.
Since the time Shaheen and Scears received their degrees, there have been many changes in the sports medicine field. It is now a requirement to get a post-secondary or master’s degree in athletic training, kinesiology, physical therapy or exercise science as a prerequisite to becoming a practicing athletic trainer.
Despite being grandfathered in, GlenOak’s athletic trainers Shaheen and Scears went on to pursue their master’s degrees in exercise science and kinesiology respectively.
“I am a teacher with an athletic training stipend, she (Scears) is a full-time athletic trainer,” Shaheen said.
A typical day in the life of an athletic trainer is already strenuous, however Shaheen is in a special circumstance. In addition to his athletic training duties, Shaheen teaches the sports medicine career technical program housed in GlenOak.
“In a typical day I teach from the beginning of the school day up until noon, after lunch and my teaching planning period, I open up the training room and am available to see patients,” Shaheen said.
Around the same time, Scears arrives to assist in providing athletic training services. Scears is an outreach athletic trainer contracted through GlenOak’s partnership with Cleveland Clinic. Scears has a written order from Dr.Hudak at Mercy Cleveland Clinic that states Scears can diagnose, treat, rehab, clear and refer athletes if needed.
“The athletic trainers are great, they’re always there to support us. I especially appreciate how accessible they are whenever needed. They have many sports to attend but do their best to support each athlete individually,” senior lacrosse player Amelia Colón said.
“We provide injury recognition and prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation,” Scears Said.
GlenOak’s partnership with Cleveland Clinic allows for treatment to be more accessible for everyone. Glenoak’s cost-free clinic provides a welcoming and healing environment. Countless athletes come through the clinic every day to receive treatment and rehabilitation.
“I always remind our athletes that they’re students over athletes and that they’re somebody’s kid. I always advocate for the athlete,” Scears said.
Although his contract does not state he must be there an hour before the start of the first game Shaheen states that the hours stated in his contract are not what he deems necessary to provide the best care for student athletes.
Athletic Training is a laboring and time-consuming but highly rewarding position. Playing a part in an athlete returning to the game and aiding in their success makes the benefits outweigh all drawbacks. Athletic trainers put the same amount of hard work and effort as the athletes put into every practice and game.
