The Trinity Athletics Department works year-round to keep the Rocks competing in 19 sports.  In this part of a series that lets readers get to know the department members, Rocks Trainer Mr. Bill Cubbage, who in 2018 was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Trainers Society Hall of Fame, answered a few questions.

Q: What is your job as athletic trainer?

A: My job is preventing and caring for injuries that our student athletes suffer.  That means anything from taping and bandaging, taking care of injuries on the field during games, monitoring environmental conditions, rehab after major injuries, etc.

Q: What led to becoming an athletic trainer?  

A: When I was a freshman in high school, a couple of friends that lived in my neighborhood were managers for our high school football team.  They asked if I wanted to join them. I did and was a football manager through high school.  When I was a senior, I found out there were college scholarship opportunities for managers. I got one and after a year as a manager transitioned to being a student training assistant.  I fell in love with it and decided to pursue it as a career.

Q: After working in sports medicine at numerous schools and universities, what is the best advice you give athletes to prevent injury?

Listen to your coaches; let them teach you the safest way to play. Listen to your body, let it tell you when something isn’t right. Take advantage of down time.  The best medicine for sports injuries is often rest.  When you have a chance to rest, take advantage of it.

Q: What do you enjoy most and least about your job?

A: Without a doubt I get my greatest pleasure helping athletes get back to play.  I love watching someone who’s had a bad injury overcome it and return to play. The hours are probably my least favorite thing.

Q: What advice would you give to those wanting to become an athletic trainer?

A: Get involved while you’re in high school and see if it appeals to you; then do your research.  Just like any other health care field, you must get a degree in athletic training to get a license to practice.  Try to determine the level you want to work (high school, college, pros, industrial, military, etc.) and go to a school that will best prepare you for that.  Don’t be afraid of long hours; it’s a reality in this job.

Q: Why is Trinity important to you?

A: I’ve been at Trinity for almost 22 years now.  Since the beginning, Trinity has given me the resources necessary to be successful at my job.  We are blessed to have a very supportive administration that takes the time to listen to what I need.  That’s not the case everywhere.  I’m very happy in that regard.  I love the atmosphere at Trinity.  Athletics are an integral part of the school but by no means overshadow the school’s primary purpose of education.  I feel like part of a family here.