An empty cold office sitting near the football locker room with nothing but memories left. It was a place of no judgment and a place to laugh even if you have a broken bone, nosebleed or concussion. Lakeland High School’s (LHS) athletic trainer, Megan Cox, has resigned.
Her job was mostly concerned with safety but she went further than that. It was comforting to know that she was always there in case we needed something. Anywhere from a bag of ice to a place to be at lunch.
As much as Megan wanted to stay, her next job is a big opportunity. After serving at Lakeland for seven years, she moved on to Couer d’Alene High School (CHS) to make an impact on more students’ lives and help more athletes. Not to mention, there were more accessible resources and the program runs through the hospital.
She felt quite a bit of guilt from leaving Lakeland because it was not just a job for her, she had friends there, and relationships.
“I loved being a part of all the students’ lives, even something as little as them coming in to tell me they passed their driver’s test,” Cox said.
She enjoyed getting to know the students for who they truly are not just another athlete.
Lakeland was Megan’s first job out of college and it helped her grow.
“It was uncomfortable, not knowing anyone where I was going, but it was a good change,” Cox said, “I needed to push myself and grow a little bit”.
Leaving a job is a hard decision to make let alone one that you have had most of your life.
Lakeland students will miss Meagan and the encouraging smile she always had on her face.
LHS senior Carter Vanek always loved the entertaining conversations they had when ever he was in her office.
“She was kind, patient and funny,” Vanek said.
For me personally it is weird to think that I can no longer go to her to get taped or even just to visit her. But, I am also happy that she is moving on to continue doing great things and helping others.
“It was nice knowing I always had someone to go to,” Hunter Steward said.
In Megans absence and having no permanent replacement coaches have had to tape their athletes and take on Megans responsibilities as well as continue to coach. Which can be a lot to handle all at once. Having over twenty kids on a team, with at least every one of them needing some sort of medical attention at one point or another. Wether it be getting a wrist taped or having cupping done to help with back pain ect. On top of having to coach them and get them game day ready. Coaches also have to work in injury prevention work outs if they did not already to make sure the rate of injuries stay to a minimum. It is also just important to have that with or without having an athletic trainer because it can help athletes in numerous ways especially if they play more than one sport and there bodies are being pushed to the limit.
It can also cost parents lots of money to get care from a doctor instead of having the resources through the school.
Megan offered rehab for injuries and advice to help with sports injuries that were not serious enough to pay for a specialist. She even enforced that in order to be taped you would have to come after school to do rehab such as stretches, and different techniques to resolve the issue instead of just continually tape it and make no improvement.
This was a hard season for having an absence of an athletic trainer. Football, Volleyball, Soccer and Cross Country are all going on at the same time. With Girls soccer and Football being the most high injury sports during the Fall season it is an adjustment with having no one on campus to treat those injuries full time. For football especially since there are so many players on the team which most of them probably need some sort of tape, as well as concussion rates are high in football especially.
Cox wanted to thank all of the athletes, coaches, parents, administrators and teachers she worked along side with for many years. She was so thankful for all the parents that trusted her with their kids safety. She is thankful for all the of the coaches she made relationships with and got to work along side. She is so thankful for the opportunity she was given and is sad to leave.
“The students are the ones who made the hard days worth it,” Cox said, “I can not thank all of you enough, I will always be rooting for you all”
