Author: Tim O’Donnell
The beginning of a new season brings many student-athletes into the very familiar territory of the training room, complete with ice-packs on their knees, tape around their ankles and the need to stretch out their wounded muscles. This year though, a new face will lead Occidental’s injured athletes through rehabilitation. As of May 31, Joe Gonzalez has been entrusted with the duty of becoming the first new Occidental head athletic trainer in over three decades.
Gonzalez comes to Occidental with a wealth of experience. His resumé includes 11 years at his alma mater, Loyola Marymount University, including a stint as the Associate Head Athletic Trainer since Aug. 2011.
Gonzalez, who earned his bachelor’s degree from LMU in biology in 1997 and his master’s in counseling in 2009, is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and holds the distinction of a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certified specialist. Most notably, he worked as a trainer at the Long Track Speed-Skating events during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Assistant athletic trainer Laura Friess expressed her excitement about the addition of Gonzalez to Occidental’s athletic program.
“Coming from LMU with 11 years of experience, Joe is bringing new ideas from a Division I background,” she said.
Taylor Woods, another assistant athletic trainer, shared Friess’ excitement about the hiring, although he also alluded to the learning curve one must go through when transitioning from Division I to Division III. Woods spoke from personal experience, making the same move in coming to Occidental.
“[Gonzalez] is still learning the landscape coming from a different setting,” Woods said. “Occidental student-athletes are very focused on academics; sports are just one more thing that is part of their experience.”
Gonzalez said that his staff’s new mission statement involves reinforcing the deeply-rooted tradition of simultaneously maintaining academic standards and athletic excellence. Entering a program with so much history, he is looking to bring hard work and expertise to the training room rather than a complete overhaul of the athletic institution.
“I want to create an exceptional experience for Occidental student-athletes by treating them with a high level of respect and authoritative customer service,” Gonzalez said via email.
In addition to the training staff’s vast knowledge, the unit receives help from team physicians such as Dr. Gregory Adamson and Dr. Marissa Vasquez. Joining the other medical professionals this year is Gonzalez’s personal hire, neurologist Dr. Vernon Williams. Williams’ main role will be to assess and manage concussions, a hot button issue in today’s sports landscape.
Though highly-qualified professionals have the reigns of the training facilities, the Athletics Department also employs several student trainers — many of which are athletes themselves — to shadow the staff and gain experience for the future.
Sophomore Phillip Grove, a member of the rugby team and one of 10 student trainers, can already see changes taking shape early in the year under Gonzalez’s new regime.
“The program is definitely a little more structured; there is a little higher standard,” he said.
Being that many personnel members will look after student-athletes, communication will be a key for Gonzalez and company. Gonzalez believes that a personal relationship is a necessity in order for the student-athletes, coaches, trainers and physicians to establish themselves as a cohesive unit. According to Woods, the emphasis on communication helps create a personal yet professional feeling in the training room.
“There is a very open, relaxed atmosphere [in the training room],” Woods said. “Our first question to an injured athlete is not about the injury itself, but rather ‘how are you doing?’ We want to understand their personal lives. It is my job to develop a trusted rapport with each individual.”
However, the friendly environment does not mean that Gonzalez, Woods and Freiss do not have high standards for their student-athletes. Gonzalez expects them to return the same level of respect that the trainers bestow upon them.
He also demands that they put forth their best effort in regards to their rehabilitation process, communicate honestly and effectively with the staff and report injuries immediately.
“It is because of [the Athletic Department’s] support that I have been able to implement my ideas for effective and comprehensive athletic training services for Oxy student-athletes,” Gonzalez said via e-mail.
With the fall season already underway, Gonzalez feels prepared and well equipped to provide a heightened level of care to Occidental’s student-athletes.
This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.
