Iona College provides athletes the best of training to minimize the amount of injuries in a season.

The main goal is to prepare athletes to do well in their sport and to finish out the season strong and healthy. Trainers push each individual to a higher level that will give them an opportunity to play even better. Iona athletes are responsible for giving a good effort and being able to improve throughout the season.

The Iona College Athletics department has many trainers who are readily available for athletes looking to stay in shape.

Originally from Surrey, N.D., Tessa Martin is one of the several trainers at Iona. Earning a Bachelor’s degree in athletic training at North Dakota State University, Martin has been working at Iona College for three years.

“There are four athletic trainers that work with 21 intercollegiate sports. We specifically each cover two main sports, but we help out with all athletes,” Martin explained. “The sports I mostly deal with are volleyball and baseball, but I also help out with men’s basketball in my off-season.”

Martin explained that the trainers’ job is to get the team ready for practice/competition by taping, doing treatments and rehabilitation.

Part of their job is to watch practices and games in case anyone gets hurt on the field or court.

“There are weeks where we need to cover a span from 6 am to after midnight,” Martin said. “Fall and spring seasons are our busiest because every sport is participating in either their traditional season or non-traditional season.”

Typically at Iona, trainers prepare teams for the season, which includes stretching exercises, taping and various treatments. It is important that after practices and competitions the trainers perform modalities, such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound or soft tissue treatments.

“When we are not out at a practice, we perform and write up evaluations that we perform on athletes that come in with injuries, we write up claim forms, schedule various appointments with physicians, and athletic training room upkeep,” Martin said.

The trainers try to keep a stable schedule for their athletes because their primary goal is to keep all individuals healthy for games.

Athletes are trained to overcome obstacles which will help students on the court, field and in their daily lives.