Head trainer, manager aid basketball team
HIggs
The GCSU Bobcat basketball teams are going into the season with a lot of talent, not all of which is located on the court. Two crucial people who keep the basketball teams running like the machines that they are include Paul Higgs, the head athletic trainer, and junior psychology major Olivia Abbey, the men’s basketball team manager.
Higgs has been working as a trainer for 20 years, with this being his 12th year at GCSU.
“I did athletic training in high school, because I always had a love of sports but I was always too short, too slow, or too something, so this was a good fit for me,” Higgs explained about his reason for getting into sports medicine. “At this point in time I really can’t see myself doing anything else. The field has changed a lot and has given me more responsibility in the management side of the game, which gives me a greater hand in helping the athletes reach their goals.”
Higgs’ usual training schedule consists of morning routines of working on the health of the athletes including conditioning, rehab, nutrition, rehab evaluation and working on preventing injuries in practice later in the day. Afternoons then start off with practice where he attends to help athletes with any issues they might have while practicing, and end with stretching to prevent any further injuries.
“The athletic training staff is responsible for all of the athletes, but the only team that we travel with is the basketball team,” Higgs said. “There are two full-time athletic trainers and three graduate assistant trainers. We can be responsible for all health problems both on and off the court such as fractures, diabetes, concussions, or nutrition information.”
Another important behind the scenes player is Abbey, the team manager. Abbey has been the manager since she transferred to GCSU at the beginning of her sophomore year.
“It was something that I always wanted to do; I have been going to basketball games since I was nine months old. So when I came here I saw the coach needed help so I decided to do it (managing),” Abbey said about her involvement in the basketball program.
As the manager for the team and also as a student, Abbey has to arrange her schedule just as the other athletes do. All of her classes must end by 1 p.m., and she has to be at Centennial by 2 p.m..
“On an average day I try to get here at 2 (p.m.) so I am here before the guys. Then before practice I fill up all the water bottles and get ice. Then I wait for practice to start. During practice I help run the score board and clock,” Abbey said. “After practice is over I wait for the guys to come out then I wash their clothes. For games I do the water, and away games I pack the guys’ bags, help with gear, and wash jerseys.”
“It can be very hard to balance. In my free time or when I am washing the uniforms I sit in the locker room and do my homework, but I really love all the guys. They are great and enjoy being able to travel,” she added.
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