For the past five months, I spent every day working at Purdue’s Kozuch Football Performance Complex. Through my major, Athletic Training, I have been able to work with multiple Purdue sports teams over the past two years. Although I have loved every team I worked with, the football team holds a special place in my heart. During the Summer, I left my home in Cape Cod early to work the football team’s preseason camp. Although the Big Ten football season was delayed, I continued to work with the team throughout August and September. In early October, I found out I had the opportunity to spend the entire season with the team and work on the sidelines at every game. I was so excited for the experience and at the time, had no idea how much fun it would be.
Throughout the season, I was able to work with three other sophomore AT students who came to be some of my closest friends. The football team also had 1 junior AT student and 2 seniors, with one of the seniors being my Kappa Delta sister, Emma Burley. Since my freshman year, I had looked up to Emma so much and was so excited to become closer with her.
There was never a typical day at the football complex. Especially with COVID, circumstances were constantly changing and I learned how to be flexible every day. Every day I would usually attend class until 1:30, change into my khakis and polo and head up the hill towards the football complex. When I got to the complex, the first thing I did was complete a rapid COVID-19 test to make sure I was negative. Once I was cleared, I entered the athletic training room to help. My tasks within the AT room consisted of helping fit braces, monitor rehab exercises with players, taping athletes, or assisting with modalities and treatments. Around 2:30, the sophomores and I would go on the practice fields to set up all of the medical stations and water/gatorade stations. Once this was done, we all went back downstairs to help more in the AT room.
When practice time came, we would each work with one positional group which we stayed with for the whole season. I loved being able to get to know the people within my positional group and helping them whenever I could. Practices usually lasted 2 hours and then we would clean up the medical equipment and water stations on the field. We would then go help in the AT room and do the daily tasks.
My favorite weekends were when we travelled to other schools for games. One of the most memorable away games is when we travelled to Minnesota. Minnesota was a Friday night game, so we left the football complex around 6 AM on Thursday to drive to Minnesota. Emma picked me up from the KD house, with a warm Starbucks breakfast sandwich for me. As we drove to Minnesota, many of us slept while some worked on homework. I will never forget Emma waiting in the Dunkin Donuts line while being in a zoom class on her computer. After getting some serotonin from a Dunkin’s iced coffee, I made a TikTok with one of the other sophomore ATs. When we arrived at the Minnesota stadium, we all got rapid COVID tests. Once cleared, we set up the athletic training rooms in the away locker room and unloaded the Purdue Football 18 wheeler with all of the on field equipment. As we waited for the team to arrive, we got to toss around a football on the stadium field and try out some field goal kicks. Once the team arrived and everything was set up, we went to our hotel for the night.
The next morning, Emma chose a restaurant for all of us to get takeout breakfast. This was probably one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in my entire life. I bought chilaquiles with a sunny side egg on top. Emma got cinnamon roll french toast, toast and homemade jam. I am not exaggerating when I say I would drive to Minnesota just for this meal again. After that, we all got Starbucks then packed our bags to head to the stadium. We got to the stadium and started filling the gatorade boat with coolers, ice, gatorade, water and cups. Night games were always my favorite and this was no exception. Although it was 20 degrees out, the energy on the field was electric. The players performed exceptionally well and kept their motivation for the entire game. Even though it ended up being a loss in the end, I really saw the team come together and support each other even in a time of discouragement.
I will never forget this experience and all of the fun and knowledge I got out of it. I feel so lucky to have been able to work with the football team, especially with my sister Emma. During the season, I learned so many lessons I will take further in my life. Not only did I learn more about the medical treatments within the sports medicine field, but I also learned how to be a part of a medical team and work with one common goal. I never understood how much goes on behind the scenes of a D1 football team. It is one of the most complex dynamics I have ever seen in life, and I have nothing but respect for every player and staff member within the Football complex. I am so happy I was able to take hold of this amazing experience and I cannot wait to see what team I will work with next.
I want to be you