Written By: Ally Taynton, Staff Writer
SPORTS MED: Poly students learn to treat injuries on and off the field.
One of Poly’s many clubs, Sports Med, works with the athletic trainer on the field during sports events to help athletes with injuries. Injuries that students help with range from small cuts to dislocated joints. Although athletic trainer Taylor Ross does most of the work, students can see sports injuries and how they are treated in real time. As part of the CTE pathway, students must take a sports medicine class to participate in the club. Once students join the class, they can explore sports medicine to a deeper level and may even realize that they want to continue the path in college.
The Sports Med Club sends out applications in September to see how many people are interested in joining the club. Once they receive all the applications, the board will schedule interviews with each of the candidates. Then, the board will choose about ten to fifteen students that suit the requirements of the club. This year there are about thirty-three students in the club. Every year, it will be about the same size with new members replacing the seniors that are graduating. Students who wish to enter the sports med club should know basic taping techniques, basic injury vocabulary, and some anatomy. All these skills are being taught in the intermediate sports medicine class, so club hopefuls should not be worried about a lack of prerequisite knowledge.
Once students have earned a spot in the club, they will be able to start working. Students are expected to work four hours a month, but more is appreciated. If members get to 100 hours through their time in the club, they can earn a varsity letter. The longer students can work, the more experience they gain with on-field injuries. President Natalie Bramlett says that members get “hands-on experience by assisting athletic trainers and coaches during athletic events.” Students can learn from Mrs. Taylor herself how to treat athletes. After some time with the club and gaining experience, club members may find that being in the club is their passion. Senior Reagan Grigsby tells us that “being in the club has made me want to go into this field.” Some possible careers that contain sports medicine include physical therapy, physician’s assistant, athletic training, etc. Natalie says that her experiences have strengthened her passion “for injury prevention and recovery.” From her time in the club, Natalie has learned so much about injury rehabilitation and now wants to apply that knowledge in a real-life job.
If interested in entering this club, look out for the applications in September 2025!