Athletic trainer explains his job in Caledonia schools
Posted: 6/1/04
School athletic trainer Josh Cooper talked about his position with Caledonia School Board members on May 24.
Cooper has become a familiar figure to student athletes the past two years, doing things like taping and bracing injuries and helping with rehabilitation and stretching. He works in the school during the school day a total of nine hours a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. He also is present at events for football, soccer, wrestling, gymnastics, and track.
The school district pays $1,650 per year for his services. The position is subsidized by Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine in La Crosse, his employer.
Cooper estimated that he saved the district $26,735 this year for things like evaluations, follow-ups, and rehab. exercises. His days can be intense. He told the board he had treated 17 athletes in one day once, and another time treated 12 students in an hour.
Having an athletic trainer handy helps a coach concentrate on coaching, he added.
High school principal Cory Klabunde said that Cooper had done a wonderful job and saves the school district money.
©The Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com