20Questions with Athletic Trainer Doug Jones

March is Athletic Training month and Western Nebraska Community College athletic Trainer Doug Jones has been a part of Cougar athletics since 2006 in providing support to the athletes in helping them heal injuries as well as providing a ton of other support to WNCC from announcing, teaching classes, working on the field, helping with camps, and other duties.

Doug Jones, a Mitchell High School graduated, got his athletic training degree from Creighton University and has mentored future athletic trainers to also join the field.

Because is it Athletic Trainer month, here is a 20 question interview with Doug Jones.

MR: March is Athletic Training Month, what is the purpose of Athletic Training Month and how important is it to show the work of the athletic trainers?

DJ: Every March is national athletic training month, and its purpose is to raise awareness of what athletic trainers do. I think it’s very important to showcase the work of athletic trainers because I think a lot of times their work goes unnoticed and sometimes misunderstood.

WNCC women’s basketball players Bre Fowler looks at WNCC athletic director Doug Jones wondering, “what did you say?” Jones helps in anyway of keeping the WNCC athletes as healthy as possible.

MR: How important are athletic trainers and how much time do you put in helping athletes?

DJ: As an athletic trainer, I think they are very important, but their time is not always spent helping athletes. Athletic trainers can help physically active populations. Athletic trainers are found in many different settings, from professional sports, college sports, high school sports, recreational sports, performing arts, industrial settings, physicians offices, military, law enforcement, and even NASA. on next page

MR: What do athletic trainers do and what is the typical day for you?

DJ: Athletic trainers are trained in the prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, as well as emergency care for on the field or on the court incidents. My typical day starts showing up at school and doing some paperwork, and then teaching class. I spend a majority of the rest of the day taking care of the WNCC athletes, going to meetings, games, or working with doctors to get the best care for our athletes. In my down time, I usually try to research new ideas or work on my continuing education.

MR: If there were no athletic trainers, what would sports be like?