Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Centenary’s Athletic Trainers

College athletics result in thousands of injuries every season, which is why having immediate medical attention is so important for athletes. Here at Centenary, we are lucky enough to have the service of head athletic trainer Brandon Henschel, along with trainers Hallie Little and Kristen Bryant. These three see numerous athletes every day in the training room and take on the responsibility of helping them regain their complete health. Without them, the health of Centenary’s athletic department would deteriorate quickly. However, having our trainers allows athletes to perform at the highest possible level. Since our athletic trainers are so vital to the success of college athletics, we got the opportunity to learn more about our head trainer, Brandon Henschel, and his experiences at Centennial thus far.

Before making his way to Centenary, Brandon spent time as an athletic trainer at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, which contributed to his now three years of training experience. Before stepping into the world of athletic training, Henschel spent his college years at Central Michigan University, where he was first introduced to athletic training and quickly fell in love with the profession. After spending time at Centenary, Henschel shares that the most common injuries he sees in the training room tend to be along the lines of ankle sprains and concussions, and urges athletes to listen to their bodies when it comes to needing medical assistance versus trying to “tough it out”. When in doubt, it is always a good idea to get checked out with a trainer if something does not feel right with your body, no matter the time or reason. With that being said, the work our trainers do at Centenary goes far beyond daily taping and evaluations, but steers the way for the future of countless injured athletes. 

It is because of trainers like Brandon Henschel, Hallie Little, and Kristen Bryant that athletes can continue their respective sports as safely and efficiently as possible to get the absolute best results. Their presence at games and events gives athletes and coaches a sense of comfort in case an injury does occur, knowing that their players will be properly taken care of. Not only do our trainers aid in injuries, but cheer on our sports teams and create a bond with the athletes. This is why our trainers are so loved because they take that extra step towards a friendship that allows students to trust them with their medical futures. Along with this, they work closely with doctors in the area for athletes whose injuries go beyond the training room. Therefore, their road to recovery always begins with the trainers. With that being said, it is very important to not only be aware of the responsibilities of these trainers but thank them for their time, effort, and experience in aiding athletes in their health journeys. I say this on behalf of the entirety of the Centenary athletic body: Thank you, trainers!