In honor of National Native American Heritage Month in November, NATA Now is highlighting some of NATA’s Native and Indigenous American members and their impact on the athletic training profession.
Penny Lynch, MA, LAT, ATC, was introduced to athletic training when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament and received treatment in her college’s athletic training facility.
“I didn’t have an athletic trainer at my high school, so this was something new for me,” she said.
The more exposed she was to athletic training, the more the profession piqued her interest.
“It allowed me the opportunity to have the best seat in the house,” Lynch said. “I enjoyed helping and supporting student athletes.”
Lynch now serves the profession through various involvements in the secondary school setting and as a volunteer. One of her feats is helping advocate for more athletic training staff to be hired at her workplace, Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC.
Read on to learn more about how she supports her student athletes and promotes the profession.
What drew you to the secondary school setting?
I did my internship at DeMatha Catholic High School. The experience was unforgettable. I learned that no two days are the same and these kids think they're funny. Not a day goes by without a laugh. I also felt that this was the setting where I could do the most; not just taping, but also treatments and rehab and being able to see an injury from start to finish. The secondary school setting also allows me the opportunity to see these young men at Gonzaga College High School – an all-boys school – grow and excel in their sport from their freshman to senior years.
What does a typical day at Gonzaga College High School look like?
Around 2 p.m., we get pretty busy with guys coming in for treatments and rehab during their free period. Occasionally, we also have offseason workouts going on. Sometimes, guys just come in to say “Hi.” Depending on the day, we may also have to set up for a soccer or lower-level football game. We also have two dedicated athletic training students who help daily. Most days aren’t over until 7:30 p.m.
Tell us about your most memorable day on the job.
There are so many that I can’t pick one. Getting an athlete back on the field or court in time for a championship is always memorable. Being a part of back-to-back soccer, lacrosse and rugby championships is a great feeling, especially when the coaches and players appreciate what you do for the team. However, one of my favorite memories was when a basketball manager – a student who didn’t make the basketball team – got to play on senior day. The student section went crazy. He even got to go back in the game. When the game ended, the student section rushed the court and picked him up. It ended up on the news. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
Why is representation in athletic training important and how does it impact the profession?
I think being a Native American in any profession can have an impact. It gives me the opportunity to talk to students about things that are a part of my culture, such as attending my tribe’s annual powwow.
How have you advocated for your position and the athletic training profession throughout your career?
I think I have advocated for my job by encouraging Gonzaga to hire more ATs, urging people to not to call us “trainers” and motivating them to learn about what we do. When I got here, it was just me. Now, there are three full-time athletic trainers at Gonzaga. For me, it’s also important to get students involved in AT advocacy, especially since I didn't have an AT in high school. I am currently the District of Columbia Athletic Trainers' Association vice president. We have a student symposium every spring and my goal is to grow this so that more students know about our profession.
What advice do you have for people who are thinking about becoming an athletic trainer?
Be prepared for the long days, but also, know how to have work-life balance. It took me a long time to be able to do this and know that it was OK. Make sure you have a think tank of colleagues and a group of friends with whom you can discuss all things athletic training.
