ELBRIDGE — JE Athletic Trainer Rebecca DeMario has been recognized as Exercise Science/Sport Medicine Person of the Year.
The award comes from the NYS Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AHPERD) Central North Zone, for “representing the kind of individual that makes the profession a success.”
“I was very grateful that the district is appreciative of everything that I’ve done,” said DeMario. “As an Athletic Trainer, it’s one of those thankless jobs because you’re constantly doing stuff behind the scenes, but most people just see you sitting on the sidelines at a game, so they don’t really know.”
As an athletic trainer, DeMario does all in-house rehabilitation for student injuries. She sees an injury from the time it occurs, then works with the athlete to coordinate outside health care, and helps them as they recover.
“I get to see them all that time in between and it makes it so much more rewarding when I get to see all that hard work to get back to their sport,” explained DeMario.
Her job also includes evaluation, emergency medicine care and prevention, which is something she’s been hoping to build upon. DeMario has created a strength and conditioning program for students, to help them learn how to better take care of their bodies and to decrease injuries. Throughout last summer, 20-30 students showed up each day to workout in the weight room, and DeMario hopes that number grows this year.
“That’s one of my favorite parts of the job, the relationship you get to make with students,” she said. “I still get messages and emails from students who graduated, and it goes to show how much your relationship impacts them throughout their life.”
DeMario was nominated by Athletic Director Daniel Stadtmiller. She was honored during the Central North Zone award ceremony on Thursday, March 10 at Vernon Downs Hotel.
