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Questions with Doug Jones ..........
MR: Who is your biggest influence to become an athletic trainer or biggest influence to see a journey of injuries to overcoming that?
DJ: I would have to say my biggest influences in athletic training were Steve Brace and Doc Bevilacqua. Both of these men displayed servant leadership and did their best to always help athletes. Now, my biggest influences are my family, especially my wife Sherry.
MR: You are more than an athletic trainer, you also help out in other areas of the college and community from PA, setting up the gym, coaching baseball, being an athletic trainer at high school games, helping with camps, teaching, and God who knows what else. What does it mean to you to help out where you can and how much do individuals appreciate that? Memories from those other duties?
DJ: Thank you Mark for mentioning this. I like to be involved where I can help. I try to help out as much as I can because I believe in giving back. Some of my favorite memories away from school would be coaching the Gering Legion baseball team and learning about baseball from coach Jones and coach Burgner away from “school” time. I really enjoy getting to know people in the community and doing things like PA announcing helps me do that. I have recently been chosen to be the NJCAA representative on the Intercollegiate Council of Sports Medicine for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. I am honored to help give back to the profession and to the NJCAA.
MR: What else do you want to add about being an athletic trainer and the role that you have on the young people? Any special memories that really stick out?
DJ: As I said before, I think my greatest memories are of the athletes. I have so many stories that I could share regarding athletes, coaches, opponents, bus drivers, officials, and even fans. However, I think it all comes together, when I receive messages from former athletes, telling me how much I meant to them, and how much I helped them during their time at WNCC. This isn’t a job I do for glory, but it is very fulfilling at the end of the day. To know you made an impact on someone else’s life is extremely satisfying.
— Written by Mark Rein
