Coaches and parents urge return of athletic trainer as families describe concussion and rehab burdens

Several coaches, parents and the athletic director urged the Matthews County School Board to restore a certified athletic trainer for Matthews High School athletics, describing recent concussion and injury cases that required families to travel for evaluation and costly, staggered rehabilitation.

What speakers said Pat Mullen and Sarah Brown, speaking as coaches and parents, said injured athletes lacked on‑site professional care this season: one athlete diagnosed with a concussion missed the season and families incurred more than $500 in out‑of‑pocket expenses and travel time to receive necessary follow‑up care. Brown said a lack of consecutive, trainer‑led return‑to‑play sessions made rehabilitation difficult for students and families.

Athletic director’s recommendation Amy O’Neil, the high school athletic director, said the district previously contracted trainers through an outside company but found sustained staffing hard to achieve. She recommended hiring a trainer directly through the school system so the person is invested in the local program, can provide baseline concussion testing and oversee safe, evidence‑based return‑to‑play protocols.

Board reaction and next steps Board members acknowledged the difficulty of recruiting trainers but said the testimony provided compelling evidence to renew efforts to reestablish the position. The superintendent and board discussed exploring hiring options and budget feasibility during the December budget work session.

Why it matters Certified athletic trainers provide immediate evaluation for concussions and other sports injuries, guide return‑to‑play decisions, and can reduce lost school time and family cost burdens when compared with fragmented, off‑site rehabilitation.