March is National Athletic Trainers Month and the area has several athletic trainers that dedicate countless hours to serving our local athletes. This is the first story in a series highlighting their efforts.
Alex Vogel
Hometown: Tiffin, Ohio
College/Education: Heidelberg University ’15 B.S. in Athletic Training
High school/college/team you work with: Director of Sports Medicine for Kentucky Wesleyan College. Sports coverage includes but not limited to: Football, Volleyball, Wrestling, Softball.
How long have you been an athletic trainer?
I’ve been a certified athletic trainer for 5 years.
How long have you been in the Owensboro area and why did you decide to come here?
I moved to the Owensboro area in November of 2015. I decided this would be a good fit based on the rural feel of the area and Owensboro Health Orthopedics Medical Group supported the athletic training mission and saw the potential we had to provide high-quality care to the Owensboro athletic population. Everyone here has been very open and welcoming in the community.
Why did you pursue athletic training as a career?
I have always been involved in athletics. I wanted to find a way to continue to stay within athletics and help those who needed it achieve their goals and stay safe while doing it. Being able to watch some type of sport everyday was also a very enticing part of the decision.
What do you enjoy most about being an athletic trainer?
I enjoy being able to help athletes remain on their field of competition at their best and assisting those who have been injured to return to their passion in a safe and healthy manner.
What is something most people don’t understand about your profession?
People often don’t realize the wide scope of our education and ability to perform in many different capacities within organizations. Athletic Training Educational programs have progressed far beyond what was thought of as traditional roles of the athletic trainer and we have far more skills and abilities past taping ankles and wrapping ice bags. There are athletic trainers working within industrial settings providing on-site injury prevention, working within the military to assist with injuries and care of patients, and working within public service to allow those who serve their community to remain functional for as long as possible.
What is your advice for athletes when they are injured or have questions?
If you are injured, even something extremely minor, go talk with your Certified Athletic Trainer. Often times minor injuries can turn into something that will take much longer to recover from if not treated initially. Always ask your questions. As athletic trainers, we are more than happy to answer those and provide you with resources to help improve your physical and mental health through the injury process.
