VALDOSTA, Ga. – Carli Vining, a native of Adel, Ga., touches on one of the biggest challenges of being an assistant athletic trainer for the Valdosta State football team, having people outside the profession not understanding the truth about being an athletic trainer and what they do. 
 
"Many people think that we are personal trainers, but we are not," Vining explained.  "We are certified healthcare professionals who look after various student athletes on a day-to-day basis. We aid in the health and wellbeing of our student athletes." 
 
March marks National Athletic Training Month, to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers behind the scenes for athletic programs across the country. 
 
Vining said her favorite type of injuries to treat are ones that require surgery for the athlete to get back to 100 percent. 
 
"With these big injuries, you have to start all the way over with the athlete," Vining said. "The athlete must learn how to redo everything like getting their mobility back and increasing their strength. It's the most rewarding aspect of my job because I am able to see the amount of progress they have made during the months of rehab and all of the effort they give to get back in top shape.
 
Vining received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., in 2019.  She then served as an intern Athletic Trainer at Georgia Southern during 2019-2020, working with GSU's football team in the fall and men's soccer/tennis in the spring. Vining then came to Valdosta State as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer to obtain her master's degree and now works full time as an assistant athletic trainer. 
 
"One of my favorite memories of being with Valdosta State athletics has been being in McKinney, Texas, for the DII NCAA Football Championship in December, with the team and going to 'Main Event'," Vining said. "It was fun to interact with the athletes and coaches on a different level than what we are used to."
 
Vining said she was adopted by a small family and lived on a farm in Adel. In her free time, she enjoys working out, baking, and visiting her nephew, Colton.
 
"I really enjoy helping people," Vining said on becoming an AT. "I have always loved the sports industry and so becoming an athletic trainer was the perfect fit for me as I can help athletes return to top form and be with the teams through all of their highs and lows."
 
"A regular day for me would be getting to the field house around 5:45 a.m. every morning to begin preparing for the day," Vining said about her day-to-day duties.  "On days we practice, we fill coolers and bottles with water and Powerade. We will also set up treatment tables and emergency equipment outside as well. After practice, we will have a quick treatment session, and then have open rehab and treatment times from 1-4 p.m. every day."
 
Vining said on gamedays, her set up and preparation is more involved. All of the ATs will begin setting up Bazemore-Hyder Friday night before games on Saturday. 
 
"The day of the game, we will have a treatment session and then go to the field to finish setting up," Vining said. "We then come back to the field house, and tape the guys up and then head back to Bazemore-Hyder for the game." 
 
Vining recalls one of her most vital learning experiences was doing CPR on a bystander at one of the hotels the Blazer football team was staying at last season. 
 
"That situation was one of my least favorite moments of being an athletic trainer," Vining said. "It was super tough to go through, but it was such a huge learning experience for the team."