by Deaven Hawkins

The spring season has been nothing but exciting for the GC athletic program. That means rehab, treatment and knowing the proper nutrients that go into your body. Having the best trainers in Division 3 sports is necessary when you have weights three times a week, practice four to five days a week and games throughout the week and weekends. The Collegian met with Assistant Athletic Trainer Rachel Young and Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Ethan Williams to see what inspired them to become athletic trainers at Greensboro College.  

Young started her journey of becoming an athletic trainer in high school. She recalled that she had season tickets for a lot of events and one day a close friend came up to her and asked if she wanted to study athletic training student aid with her. Finding this idea appealing to her, Young went on to spend three years studying for a career and has been in love with it ever since.   

After completing graduate school, Young applied to many different jobs, but ended up choosing Greensboro College because of its proximity to her home, giving her a wonderful opportunity to work with a variety of athletes at the college level.  

When asked what her favorite moment at Greensboro College has been, Young recalled when the Greensboro College football team won the last game of the season against Methodist University in November of 2023. Knowing how hard the team fought, seeing every single player at some point in the athletic training center and beating a team that GC football has struggled with was particularly memorable to her.  

Ethan Williams wanted to become an athletic trainer to be around athletes and help people. He remembered that one day he decided to search online for athletic training programs since in the classroom and for all his undergraduate classes there were requirements for courses such as anatomy, which he found enjoyable, and which prepared and led him to Greensboro College. 

Williams had a couple jobs that he loved before Greensboro College, one where he spent six years at another university working with sports club athletes and dancers. What he did not like was he was the only athletic trainer in that role. He stated that the office was isolated, and he often worked by himself. After years working there, Williams wanted to challenge himself to take on more administrative roles, supervise and work with a team. When a job at Greensboro College popped up, he knew that would allow him to push himself professionally.  

In the time since he has been at GC, Williams’ favorite memory was when the women’s basketball team won the conference tournament in February of 2023. Being on the sideline for all their games, going through the conference tournament and seeing them work hard to pull out the win was a special moment, especially getting to witness it and play a small role. Another fond memory of Williams was helping the team be well enough to play and go to the NCAA tournament in March of 2023.  

Having high level trainers and the trust that you will be able to play the sport you love, being able to walk in the training room and feel welcomed, knowing your team can count on you and being able to be yourself when having conversations, treatment and rehab is the best thing about the Greensboro College athletic trainers Rachel Young and Ethan Williams.