Building Connections: The Gift of Community in Athletic Training

Over seven seasons working in minor league baseball, I’ve had the chance to meet many athletic trainers working for various organizations and at different levels. I find myself constantly surrounded by individuals who are dedicated, hard-working, and most of all, great people. As my journey continues, familiar faces are growing alongside me as well. Similar to the players who get promoted based on performance, we athletic trainers are in the same boat, striving for success.??

Several athletic trainers I have worked with from years past now share the same field with me in Double-A. Most of these familiar faces stem from our years in High-A, grinding through the difficulties of the Northwest League. As I witness how far we've come together and how hard we've worked to get to where we are, I feel a sense of pride for my community. It’s meaningful to watch each other grow and enjoy these friendships with other athletic trainers.

Additionally, this year I got to see an old friend who I first met covering the 2019 Dominican Summer League All-Star game. Now in Double-A, we were able to rekindle our friendship. Ultimately, I want to highlight how great the athletic training community is. It’s full of dedicated individuals who are deeply invested in their careers and advancing the profession.

These ATC connections are a highlight of the job. It’s exciting to swap stories and share our experiences through the Minor League system. I've learned a lot from these interactions, whether through quick conversations on the field during batting practice or catching up over a beer after hours. It’s fascinating to hear about other organizations, how their hierarchies work, and the struggles or successes they see daily.

It’s wonderful to see everyone progressing and how we genuinely care for one another. I love the feeling I get when a buddy is coming to town, an old colleague calls me up, or I exchange score updates with a fellow athletic trainer in a tight playoff race.

Even during spring training, it's special to spend extra time with those you’ve worked with in the past. It’s a great gift to progress together step by step. I hope we’re all on the same trajectory, aiming for the big leagues. How special would it be to shape Major League Baseball, from our early years in the Dominican Summer League through High-A in the Northwest League and now in Double-A in the Northeast?

I encourage all athletic trainers to reach out and get to know who’s on the other side. Building relationships with other athletic trainers not only helps in situations we might face but also brings our community closer together. We are the only ones who truly understand our profession, the hard work it entails, and sometimes, how undervalued we can be. Networking with each other and being available as a sounding board helps us all grow.

I'm excited to see where my peers go and what’s next for them. I’m genuinely thankful for the connections I’ve made and happy to see so many individuals growing year by year. Cheers to everyone for getting promoted and being recognized as the great athletic trainers they are. Thank you to everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting in my years in baseball. Your compassion, friendship, and love for what you do have helped shape me into who I am today.

To the grind and the glory,

Coy Coker