A dream is not always the same when it becomes reality, but Christopher Bradley’s career as athletic trainer at Clarkston High School is turning out just like he imagined.
‘I love it, working with the athletes and being in charge of rehab,? Bradley said. ‘When you get them back to playing to their full capabilities without any setbacks, that’s the most rewarding part.?
The road to becoming CHS? athletic trainer began at Eastern Michigan University. Bradley had completed his associate’s degree at Oakland Community College and was perusing the EMU catalog in hopes of lucking onto a field of work that fit him. His search bore fruit when he happened upon the EMU sports medicine athletic training major
‘It just kind of popped out to me,? Bradley said. ‘It was something that intrigued me the more I spent studying it.?
Beginning in 2002, Bradley studied for two years at EMU where he tended NCAA Division I athletes in a variety of sports.
‘When I started at EMU, I didn’t know what the whole athletic training career involved,? Bradley said.
To complete his degree, he interned at a physical therapy clinic in Dearborn in the summer of 2004. The clinic hired him on after his internship finished and he worked there for a year, but the sidelines still called to him.
‘I missed working with athletes and the competitive nature of sports,? said Bradley. ‘When you work with athletes they want to get back as quickly as possible.?
With his degree and experience in hand, Bradley had the key to a full time athletic training career, and CHS supplied the door when former trainer, Gail McClellan, left after 14 years at the school. The athletic trainer position at CHS comes courtesy of Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital. After interviews with POH staff and CHS athletic director Dan Fife in June of 2005, Bradley was back on the field and doing what he loved.
‘It’s a lot different in a high school setting as opposed to college,? Bradley said.
At EMU, the football team has one head athletic trainer, who oversees six student trainers. Over the fall sports season at CHS, Bradley was responsible for over 400 athletes, primarily by himself.
‘I really didn’t know what to expect. I treat CHS students like we treated athletes when I was in college,? Bradley said.
An engaging personality when he is away from his work, Bradley can carry on conversation while taping an athlete’s ankle but his eyes never waver from the task at hand.
One new wrinkle Bradley brought with him from EMU was daily status reports. Before each practice, a computer printout with four categories, ranging from ‘no restrictions? to ‘no activity,? are placed in coach’s mailboxes. If Bradley is not at the start of practice, the coach still knows whether or not and to what extent an injured player can participate.
‘My mentor at EMU, (Head Athletic Trainer) Steve Nordwall was big on rehab,? Bradley said.
While Bradley would rather his considerable knowledge and talent in the field of sports medicine collect dust, he realizes injuries are part of sports.
‘I always tell the coaches before their games ‘I hope I don’t have to talk to you tonight,?? Bradley said.
Though the hardest part of his job is telling a student they are not ready to take the field, Bradley always keeps the athletes? health his number one priority.
‘I told the coaches when I started ‘I’m a new face, but I’m going to try and keep things the same,?? Bradley said. ‘The coaches are great to work with. If they have any concerns, they approach me.?
Bradley has enjoyed working with the students who pack his small office down the hall from the athletic department for ankle tapings and ice bags each day as well.
‘The kids are great. I can’t imagine working with a better group,? Bradley said.
With just one sports season under his belt, Bradley is already thinking of the future. First on his list is opening better communication channels into the home.
‘Something to keep parents more informed of what’s going on. Maybe a sheet (the athlete) takes home and has their parents sign,? Bradley said.
Bradley also wants to establish home exercise programs focusing on both injury prevention and rehab, full body, sport specific stretching programs and involve more CHS students with athletic training than just the ones with sports injuries.
‘Maybe not even next year, I want to try to get some high school students in here to teach them the basics of wrapping and first aid skills. I would love to teach as well as have them working under me,? said Bradley.
Living in nearby Waterford, where he graduated from Waterford Mott, Bradley and his wife Sara are expecting their first child in April.