Alumni Spotlight: Jeremiah Randall By Joe Baker
From Moundridge, Kansas, to World Series champion, Jeremiah Randall never envisioned his career to reach success quite like this. “I just wanted to be around competition and a team environment,” Randall said. “Being a head trainer of an MLB team was never a goal of mine, but I’m fortunate to have this job.”
is similar to being a trainer at the highest level of baseball.
Before all of this success being a trainer at the highest level of baseball, Randall was a member of the men’s Bluejay basketball team. “Playing basketball is what drew me to Tabor,” Randall said. “I wasn’t concerned about much else but basketball.”
Randall credits his internship with
“I really loved the competition and team environment from basketball,” Randall said. “I knew I wasn’t going to play professional basketball, but I still wanted to be involved in sports, because of competition and team work.”
Shortly after receiving his education, Randall was an intern for the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Atlanta Braves. After being an intern, Randall was with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for two seasons and served as an assistant trainer for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for four seasons. When asked about having a passion for baseball, Randall stated what he experienced in basketball
When asked what it is like to work with professional baseball players on a daily basis, Randall sets high standards for his training staff. “Our athletic training department helps prepare players for a ‘marathon’ of a season,” said Randall. “We are all about keeping players on the field through training and mental training during an 8 month span.” Through the hard work of Jeremiah Randall, his training staff and the rest of the Houston Astros organization, the Astros achieved something special during the 2017 season, becoming World Series champions for the first time in franchise history.
Randall considers coming to Tabor College the best decision he has ever made in his life. He also credits the quality individuals that influenced him during his time at Tabor, such as coaches, staff members, students and professors. Shortly after graduating Tabor College with a degree in biology, Randall would move on to the University of Kansas and graduate with a degree in athletic training. He would also graduate from the University of Miami with a doctorate in physical therapy.
prep routines with players an hour and a half before game time and post game work, Randall usually leaves the stadium around 1 a.m., concluding a 13 hour work day.
“To be honest it hasn’t even sunk in yet,” Randall, exclaimed. “Even being three, four months removed, it was such an unreal feeling.” When asked if he ever envisioned himself to be in the position he is in today, Randall says he just wanted to be around competition and a team environment.
Jeremiah Randall, Head Athletic Trainer for the Houston Astros
the Atlanta Braves in 2005 to spark his interest in baseball and into being a trainer for baseball. This was Randall’s first exposure to professional athletics.
“People have invested in me and have given me really good opportunities,” Randall said. “Being a head trainer for a Major League Baseball franchise was never a goal of mine, but I am fortunate to have this job.”
Currently in his third season as head athletic trainer for the Houston Astros, Randall’s job is no easy task. “I usually get to the stadium around noon, meet with coaching staff, manager, strength and conditioning staff and medical staff,” said Randall.
Jeremiah Randall and the Houston Astros organization will look to repeat as World Series champions in 2018.
After working with players for two and a half hours, batting practice, Photo Source: houston.astros.mlb.com
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