Athletic Trainers with mentor Melissa Camhi.
Every athlete knows the excitement of a win, and the undeniable frustration that comes with getting hurt. Behind every team is someone making sure players can stay healthy, recover, and get back to playing as soon as possible. Athletic trainers work hard to prevent injuries, as well as treating those who are already suffering injuries. The athletic trainers at North Broward Prep share the collective goal of getting athletes to recover so they can get back to playing what they love. From taping ankles and refilling coolers, to checking equipment and planning treatments, athletic trainers do it all. Their work is often underappreciated due to their behind the scenes role. But without the trainers, many athletes would not have the chance to step on the field or court at all.
At North Broward, our head Athletic Trainer is Ms. Melissa Camhi. Ms. Mel has been a certified athletic trainer since 2010, and has spent the last fifteen years helping student-athletes stay healthy and confident. What began as an intro class in college, unexpectedly turned into a lifelong career. Ms. Mel says, “I was all set to take the MCAT and apply to med school, but after I graduated, I decided that I really wanted to stick with athletic training.” Here at NBP, we are so glad she did. During the school year, Ms. Mel dedicates her time to preparing for upcoming games throughout the week, tending to coolers for the teams, and helping out any player that needs extensive treatment. Even though the role of athletic trainer is tough, Ms. Mel says, “Watching our athletes play is so much fun for me, and I love being able to be a small part of it for them,” making every second spent worth it. It’s very clear to see that Ms. Mel’s impact will go beyond the field; between the endless hours she spends checking in on the athletes, and the constant lookout for their well being, her generosity does not go unnoticed. Regarding her time spent here, Ms. Mel says, “At the end of the day, though, I hope that they know that I always had their best interests at heart even if there was a time that they were frustrated with me in regard to an injury.”
Within the athletic training program, Ms. Mel has several students following in her footsteps. One of these students is junior, Alicia Makovsky, who has been a part of the program for the past three months, and still relatively new. Alicia mentions that her favorite team she’s helped out so far is the Varsity Football team, and she can’t wait to meet the other teams as the school year continues. Alicia participates in NBP sports herself, as she is a member of the girls’ Varsity Soccer team. Since joining the athletic training program, she has spent much of her time helping out Ms. Mel and the athletes. Speaking of which, one aspect of athletic training that is constantly overlooked is the time spent outside of school in order to help our athletes here at NBP. When asked what encourages her to stay the extra hours, Makovsky says, “The thing that keeps me motivated is knowing that I’ll be having fun and I’ll be around a good group of girls.” The people are what make the experience truly great for her. Upon reflection, Alicia Makovsky made it clear that while the program could be viewed as an after-school chore like homework, it’s not remotely like that for her. Alica states how the most enjoyable part of helping out the teams is learning new things and laughing with her athletic training friends each day. Although Makovsky is still unsure if she wants to pursue a career in athletic training or the medical field in general, she is grateful for the opportunity to take part in this experience.
Athletic training isn’t only about the injuries, but care and devotion put into it that goes unnoticed. As Alicia and the other athletic training students continue to learn under Ms. Mel’s guidance, the program is able to grow and help athletes thrive within their sports. The true wins at North Broward don’t just come from the teams, but those behind the scenes.