You see them around, but you don't know who they are; they're not students, coaches, or professors, they are athletic trainers. UTM has three head athletic trainers that take on over 300 athletes a day.

The three trainers are: Jason Lee, head football trainer, Dan Clements, head rodeo trainer, and Bart Belew who takes on all other sports.

Lee is a 25 year old with a Master's Degree from Elon University in North Carolina. Clements, a 25 year old with a Master's Degree from East Tennessee State University was also an undergraduate here at U.T.M.

Belew, a 27 year old with a Master's Degree from the university of Mississippi was also an undergrad here at UTM Belew also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fitness Management.

These trainers are on the job from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and are also on duty for all collegiate sporting events. They deal with injuries anywhere from blisters to major fractures.

Over 300 athletes come in and out of the training room in the Elam center field house on a daily basis.

Athletic trainers have to have a variation of personalities and be somewhat of a cross between a personal counselor, mediator, fixer upper, and friend to the athletes.

When asked why he became a trainer, Belew answered, “Because I love sports, I have a passion for it.

I had a lot of injuries in high school and that's why I decided to major in Athletic training. I want to help those who were like me.”

Andre Chatman, a student trainer says, “It's easy to relate to Bart and Dan, mainly because they are young. It isn't very often that I see someone who is not much older than me who is actually successful.

They are both an encouragement to me and the other student trainers.”

Ashley Fish-Crosser is serving as the trainer for the UTM volleyball team.

She received her bachelors degree in Athletic Training from Union University in Jackson. She is originally from Jackson where she lettered in softball and cheerleading at Southside High.

Working with the soccer team is Whitney Alumbaugh.

Alumbaugh is originally from Pineville, Mo.

She attended Fort Scott Community College and earned her bachelors degree from Missouri Valley College.

So, if you are an athlete, or a student who enjoys watching UTM sports, show the coaches and trainers some extra gratitude. They don't get the highest paid salaries on campus, so obviously they don't do it for the money.

They do it because of the contentment and enjoyment of knowing that they are doing what they love.

If you see a coach or trainer around campus, give them a smile and let them know you appreciate them. GO HAWKS!!