Concern builds over Georgetown County high schools starting sports season without athletic trainers

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Two Georgetown County high schools are starting the sports season without key players on the field.

Carvers Bay and Waccamaw high schools are starting the school year next month without certified athletic trainers, leaving the head coaches also to take on the role of medical professionals.

Carver Bay’s athletic trainer just resigned, and Waccamaw is coming up on its second year without one.

Athletic trainers handle everything from making sure athletes take enough breaks, taping up ankles and handling concussions.

The head football coaches at both schools said they’re now playing both positions but many times are forced to just call the students’ parents or 911 if they get injured.

That’s something longtime retired and Hall of Fame athletic trainer Dr. James Berry said isn’t ideal.

“When that athletic trainer isn’t there, that falls to the coaches, and that’s not what coaches are trained to do,” Berry said. “The athletic trainer also serves as a bridge to determine what injury requires further evaluation by a physician, so it also takes the weight off of the medical community seeing unnecessary things that could be easily handled at the facility.”

Head football coaches at both schools said sometimes they would get a substitute trainer during games, but Berry said a full-time athletic trainer is vital anytime your child is in uniform.

“I often get calls from folks that say, ‘Hey, can you come work our game?’ Well, that’s great that you have an athletic trainer there for your game, but the reality of the situation is that the majority of the injuries are going to occur during those daily practices,” Berry said.

Berry said he believes a new master’s degree requirement for athletic trainers and low pay is to blame for the shortage.

Georgetown County School District said they are actively trying to fill the roles working with their partner, Tidelands Health, which helps hire athletic trainers.

WMBF called Tidelands to find out more information and is waiting to hear back.

The head coaches at both schools said it would be ideal to have the position filled before the upcoming football season, and they are taking the necessary safety precautions.

Copyright 2024 WMBF. All rights reserved.