Trained in Athletic Training

New to the athletics department is Kelly Robertson, a freshman teacher of physical education and health as well as sports medicine. Growing up in North Carolina and then majoring in athletic training at Western Carolina University, Robertson has had the opportunity to work with the WCU sports teams.
She also assisted the soccer teams at UNC Asheville and attended William and Mary as a student of athletic training. Culminating her time spent between schools, Robertson built a resume of experiences that truly emphasized her interest in sports medicine.
“Anything that I could help out with, I did,” Robertson said. “I traveled with the women’s lacrosse team, and from there I did my online classes and went back to Western Carolina just in time to graduate.”
After receiving her diploma, Robertson attended the graduate program at Columbus State University. Paired with two years as Head Athletic Trainer of Columbus High School and an inspiring fellowship opportunity at the Hughston Clinic, Robertson was well on her way to bridging the gap between work and play.
“I was not only going to school at Columbus State for education, I was also working with the Hughston Clinic and the Hughston Foundation,” Robertson said.
The Hughston Foundation is a key player in the sports medicine market in research, education and treatment for musculoskeletal injury and disease. Under the direction of this foundation, Robertson took part in an outreach program where local high schools could be provided with athletic trainers.
“I worked so many hours, but it was a great experience,” Robertson said.
At Columbus High School, she bore witness to repeated incidences of intensity, as several of the 41 sports teams are AAA State Champions. Robertson’s experiences in a steep physical environment will prove crucial to the success of the athletics department at Oakton High School, but she is not looking to dive in headfirst.
“I’m not really hoping to change anything per se, but my first year here I’m just looking to see how we do things and see if I can get used to how things go,” Robertson said. “I’ve just been thrown into [Fairfax County]. I [will] figure out what I need to know and take it one week at a time.”
When commenting on the first few weeks of walking Oakton’s athletic grounds, Robertson is nothing but pleased.
“[The P.E. Department] has been really helpful,” Robertson said. “They’re all being great at teaching me exactly what it is that’s required of me.”
One member of the staff in particular has taken Robertson under his wing and showed her what it means to be an Oakton Cougar.
“It’s great to work with Paul Rupp because he has been here for 12 years and has a lot of knowledge on the school, the staff and many of the students,” Robertson said.
However, Robertson had to face her own physical pain before realizing her passion for physical therapy.
“In elementary school, I had a lot of back problems and had to go to physical therapy,” Robertson said. “I wanted to study it because I knew that it had helped me a lot.”
In Robertson’s senior year of high school, she attended a college fair with her parents and met representatives from Western Carolina University. The WCU table proceeded to talk about athletic training and only piqued Robertson’s curiosity.
“We didn’t really know what athletic training was,” Robertson said. “We didn’t have [an athletic trainer] in my high school and nobody in our county had one either.”
After walking around the other tables Robertson began to realize her potential of pursuing a career in athletic training. In late 2004, she attended Western Carolina University with an interest in athletic training.
When she is out of the classroom, Robertson enjoys jogging, going to the gym and supporting the Baltimore Orioles.
“We all just want to be happy, right?” said Robertson. “I figure out what I need to know and I take it one week at a time.”