by: Anna Kate Baygents
Staff Reporter
Oak Grove’s athletic trainer Kevin “Doc” Mauldin, was recently awarded High School Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association. This title is given to one trainer from a seven state area. Mauldin was nominated by Ray Burr from the Mississippi Sports Medicine Association.
“It was an honor to be nominated,” Mauldin said, “but it’s an even greater honor to win.”
Mauldin will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to be presented the plaque at an awards banquet on March 17th.
Mauldin graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2000 with a degree in Athletic Training. He has been at Oak Grove High School for 11 years. Initially he taught Science Skills and Reasoning, and in 2004, he began teaching the Sports Medicine class. Oak Grove was the first school in the district to offer this class. It teaches first aid and emergency situations, nutrition, proper training, and the anatomy of the ankles, legs, knees, and shoulders along with basic sports injuries.
“I learned so much in Doc’s class,” senior Madison Bourne said. “It helped me realize that I may one day want to pursue a career in the medical field. Plus, I can tape an ankle in under three minutes.”
Mauldin’s duties extend outside of the classroom. Mauldin is required to attend all football games, play-off games for any sport, and athletic functions on school grounds. This schedule keeps him working 3-4 nights a week.
Mauldin also helps rehabilitate injured players, much like a physical therapist, to help them return to play as soon as possible. Senior Shelby Stiglets tore one of her Anterior Cruciate Ligaments (ACL) in the spring of 2009 and tore the other in the spring of 2011. Mauldin helped her rehabilitate both, which allowed her to return to playing soccer.
“It was so nice having Doc here to help me,” Stiglets said. “Without it, I don’t think I would have ever been able to finish playing soccer in high school.”
However, not all schools have the luxury of having their own athletic trainer on campus every day. The coaches also appreciate his work and availability.
“Doc is a huge asset
to our athletic department,”
Coach Terry Smith said.
Mauldin’s dedication definitely does not go unnoticed.
