Feature
ATHLETIC TRA
THE IMPAC
by Stephanie English
As parents, we tend to worry about the “what if” when it comes to our children. As Tattnall parents, that worry is practically non-existent when it comes to sports and the possible injuries that accompany extracurricular activities. By definition, athletic trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. It just so happens that for almost 16 years now, TSA has been blessed with the best athletic trainer and Director of Sports Medicine, Jody Burnett. A graduate of Georgia Southern and Troy University, Burnett has been a national and state certified Athletic Trainer since 1997. In 2001, Jody accepted the position of Athletic Trainer and Director of Sports Medicine and has since built the program into the only one of its kind in the Middle Georgia area. “Our athletic training room is fully functional, and our athletes reap the benefits of having on site access to multiple types of therapeutic exercise and all current types of modalities,” remarked Burnett. Not only do Tattnall student athletes benefit from a state of the art facility, they are cared for by a fully credentialed individual who has a vested interest in their recovery. “If our athletes incur injuries, I take care of them from start to finish. We handle the rehabilitation from emergent care to pre-op and post-op services,” stated Burnett. Jody, and his team of student trainers, develop and execute a plan of recovery tailored to that individual. “At a typical clinic, physical therapists are limited to only treating the injury and not the entire athlete. So if you injure your leg during a fall sports season, a clinical therapist would work solely on your knee injury without continuing strength training for the rest of the body. So, the likelihood of being adequately prepared for the rigors of your spring sport may be compromised. The athlete’s body may not be completely acclimated which may increase the chances of another injury elsewhere in the body,” stated Burnett. Every Tattnall parent who has worked with Jody Burnett can testify to his exceptional abilities. In the fall of 2015, Matt Blair, a sophomore football player tore his ACL during a
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B-team football game. Jody and his team of student athletic trainers from TSA and local colleges were able to rehabilitate Blair’s injured knee while also continuing to work on strength training for the upcoming baseball season. “I really can’t imagine how he could be more competent or effective in the work he does at TSA. An injury like Matthew sustained can be quite traumatic, not only physically, but also emotionally. The amount of time, energy, and passion that Jody has invested in our son’s healing, recovery, and rehab has been unbelievable. Jody is always available, and he has worked on weekends and during holiday breaks from school making sure Matthew had what he needed and was doing what he needed to do to give him the best chance to recover as quickly as possible. What Jody and his college interns, under his guidance, have done for Matthew is remarkable,” remarked Matt’s father, Bill Blair. But parents are not alone when it comes to praising Burnett. “He’s a motivator for our kids who is extremely in tune with their health and well being. He’s the type of athletic trainer who will say, “I can’t do this for you, but I will do it with you,” described Head Baseball Coach, Joey Hiller. “Our kids can come to him to get an individualized strength, flexibility, and nutritional program, and he sets the example for them. He’s the hardest working person in the weight room,” said Hiller. “As a coach at Tattnall, you never have to worry about one of your