Mineola Head Athletic Trainer Justin Rivers

(Monitor photo by John Arbter)

First-year athletic trainer Justin Rivers identifies critical thinking as the most important aspect of his position as the head athletic trainer at Mineola schools. With only months on the job, Rivers voices a quiet confidence in the profession as well as his contributions to the Mineola athletic department.

Rivers explained, “I grew up helping my father in his electrical contracting business, and I learned quickly to pay attention, as all actions have an effect.” Now applying those skills in the training field, Rivers is fully at home analyzing the cause and effect of injuries court side or on the gridiron.

The Crandall native began his education with an undergraduate degree in kinesiology at A&M Commerce and immediately thereafter obtained a master’s degree in human performance from Abilene Christian University. His internships included service at local high schools, colleges and on the rodeo circuit.

Although drawn to the technical fields, Rivers admitted that it was his desire to help people that directed him into the burgeoning field of athletic training. That, combined with the experience of growing up in a family of avid sports fans, solidified his decision.

Upon earning his master’s degree, Rivers passed his first attempt at the state licensing examination – no small feat. 

“Mineola was the first interview I had,” explained Rivers. That interview for a position as an assistant trainer was upgraded after the head trainer position became vacant this summer.

“As it turned out, I was hired and at the school one week before the start of the football and volleyball season workouts.”

Athletic trainers in Texas are administered and regulated by the Texas State Athletic Trainers Association (TSATA). There are over 4,000 licensed trainers in the state. 

Founded in 2001, TSATA operates under the Department of Licensing and Regulations as the sole authority for the state examinations. The association is also well-represented on the University Interscholastic League Medical Board, which rules on all medical related issues impacting schooling in the state – including coronavirus issues. 

TSATA Executive Director Michael “Spanky” Stephens is a legend in the field. Stephens is in his 20th year as executive director and is as enthused about the profession today as he was when asked by Coach Darrell Royal to become a trainer for the Longhorns some 50 years ago.

Although most often recognized for his long service at the University of Texas, it was Stephens who championed the effort to define concussions and develop return-to-play protocols for high school football in Texas. That effort resulted in the 2011 state law which governs concussion treatment today.  

A point of particular pride for Stephens is that Texas is the only state in the nation which has not deferred to a national organization in administering athletic trainers. As he puts it, “The laws of the state of Texas are our only rightful guidelines.” 

That independent stance has staved off efforts to mandate a master’s degree for athletic trainer qualification. Hence, the field remains open to many more potential trainers with an undergraduate degree. 

It has also resulted in the development of a stand-alone curriculum which has just been made available this fall. Six colleges and universities in the state are already using the new curriculum. 

Stephens is exceptionally proud of the young trainers entering the profession.

“They do a wonderful job looking after our student-athletes,” he reflected.

While Stephens speaks highly of the traditional path for athletic trainers (scholastic sports), he explained that the opportunities in non-traditional roles is experiencing explosive growth. Industrial centers, municipalities, police and fire departments, and any organization with a large workforce are employing athletic trainers to improve employee well-being, he stated.    

Now a fully-fledged Yellowjacket, Rivers is not just tending athletes, he is also running two periods of classes in sports medicine. The class is a brand new addition to the curriculum at Mineola High School. Presently, 21 students are receiving his morning instruction. One student has already expressed a sincere desire to become a sports medicine professional.   

It is however his attentive eye and diagnostic skill which is most valued day-to-day. This year, the impact of the pandemic and the associated delays in the sports season have spawned specific injury concerns according to Rivers. 

“We are seeing overuse and technique injuries,” he stated. Overuse injuries often stem from shortened conditioning opportunities, while technique injuries are likewise attributed to compressed timelines, he explained.

As always caring for young athletes must be done with the acknowledgement that the athletes may desire, above all else, to return to the field of play. Rivers identifies communications and the building of professional relationships with the athletes as critically important aspects to his work.

The communications are many-headed: athlete and trainer, trainer and coach, parents and trainer, and medical specialists and trainer. Each of these communications paths must be tended equally well to have an effective program. 

The building of professional relationships with the athletes is a focus of Rivers.

“Building rapport to obtain unvarnished input from an athlete is absolutely vital,” he offered. Use of the official school email program is one tool Rivers effectively uses, he explained, but it cannot replace face-to-face communications. 

With numerous sports seasons underway at the same time throughout the school year, it is impossible to be present at each event. To provide greater coverage, Mineola schools contract with Christus Health for a second trainer. The practice is understandably common among area schools. Additionally, Rivers deploys a team of five student trainers as assistants.

“Observation of an injury occurring can be absolutely key to properly tending an athlete,” Rivers said.  While the athletic trainer may appear to be just a part of the grand scene at local sporting events, Rivers admitted that he watches the action with a critical eye. 

According to Rivers, once an injury occurs, a trainer has the dual responsibilities of providing immediate medical care and being the transition for the athlete to the next level of care. That next level of care could be an emergency medical technician, a doctor, or a trauma center.

Of course, it is the goal to minimize the chance of injury as much as possible. Rivers describes his job as part nutritionist, part dietician, part first aid provider and part medical consultant.

“We must do a little bit of everything,” he summarized.

For those looking to begin a career in athletic training, Rivers highlighted three features to embrace: a willingness to work long hours, the ability to build professional relationships, and a mature sense of commitment.