By snoadmin
Assistant athletic trainer Josh Stone spent the off-season helping injured athletes rehab following their surgeries while teaching techniques that will help prevent further injuries. Stone is dedicated to his profession and persists in helping athletes, despite what he calls a “lack of understanding” from many athletes.
“People say we are not doctors nor physical therapists,” Stone said. “We are a combination of both doctor and physical therapist. That is our definition of athletic trainer.”
Stone has been with the Long Beach State athletics training staff since 2005. His career began with San Jose State in 2002 as the assistant head athletic trainer. He mostly worked in baseball, soccer, softball and women’s tennis. Stone, however, said the program was in disarray due to the lack of cohesiveness between athletes and the administration.
“Athletes at SJSU probably would not show up to training programs,” Stone said. “They had a new athletic director that was poorly funded – everything was about football.”
The environment changed for Stone when he traveled south to LBSU. He said athletics at LBSU possess a more “intimate atmosphere” than larger programs – like UCLA – because “more attention is paid toward this profession.”
“We have a team atmosphere here,” Stone said. “The athletic department is so tight and up close.”
Stone recalled a situation in which he was visiting UCLA and walked by an athlete who asked him to tape his ankle. Stone, a stranger to the campus, said he laughed about it.
“If you love athletics and the sports, you can make it,” Stone said. “If people come into this profession wanting to be noticed and wanting due respect, then this is not for them.”
Stone’s love for his career is reflected in the time and effort given toward it. He added a notable title to his resume in spring 2007, as he became a performance enhancement specialist for the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
He attributes the achievement as part of his continued education. Every three years, athletic trainers must complete 75 hours of continued education, whether it involves taking lecture courses or getting certifications, according to Stone.
“This is more about attaining knowledge,” Stone said. “The course I took required [me] to examine [neuromuscular] deficiencies and correct them.”
Stone has endured tough situations when helping athletes. Many athletes’ parents choose the judgments of doctors over those of athletic trainers, according to Stone.
“Coaches get upset because his or her athlete does not get an MRI,” Stone said.
However, Stone remained optimistic and said future athletic trainers must be ready to work long hours and deal with disrespect.
In any event, Stone has continued to take great pride in his profession and the athletics program. He remains a student of his craft, but a leader to future trainers.
