Lisa! Lisa! Lisa!

The Athletic Trainer Who Keeps The Angels Flying

Story and photos by Reid Neureiter

For the GPHN

For decades, East High School’s athletic program has had significant successes — most recently including state championships in both ice hockey and boys soccer, along with a deep playoff run for boys basketball and individual state championships in boys and girls wrestling.

As is normal at most high schools, fans applaud the players, and congratulate the coaches. At East, the crowd also is known to give it up in a big way for Athletic Trainer Lisa Smith, who for 19 years has patrolled the sidelines of the athletic fields and gyms, ready to sprint to the side of any fallen Angel.

“I will never forget the first time I watched Lisa get summoned on the field by the referee because of an injured Angel player,” recounted East boys soccer coach Kirk Bast. “She went flying across to him, ending in a perfect slide right next to him to the roaring chants of ‘Lisa! Lisa! Lisa!’ from the crowd.”

Smith came to East High 22 years ago as a teacher and became athletic trainer when a position opened up. Her specific responsibilities are to help prevent, treat and rehabilitate injured athletes. “I am not an MD, so I cannot diagnose injuries, only evaluate them,” she says.

Bast, and others are effusive in their praise. “Lisa Smith is an icon of East through her love of the kids there, her enthusiasm for doing things the right way and her unwavering commitment to the athletes,” he says.

Principal Terita Walker, who previously served as the school’s athletic director, echoes that sentiment. “East High School Athletics is so fortunate to have an athletic trainer like Lisa Smith. She is definitely a staple in our athletic community and her expertise and care for our student athletes is appreciated and valued more than she knows.”

A Colorado native who grew up in Lakewood, Smith received her BA from Western State College, her Masters from the University of Denver and a Doctorate from Walden University (online) in Minnesota. Now 59 and with more than 30 years of teaching and athletic training under her belt, Smith is still sprinting onto the field to assist injured players.

She recently spoke to the Greater Park Hill News about her work at East as a teacher and athletic trainer. And, about the time she saved the life of the vice principal. That’s right. In 2014, then-Assistant Principal Wes Ashley collapsed in the weight room. As a trained CPR instructor, Smith knew what to do, and how to get him breathing again. Her quick actions resulted in an award from the American Heart Association — and a very grateful Mr. Ashley.

What kind of specialized education and training does one need to become a certified athletic trainer?

When I was getting certified, I had to have 1,500 hours working under the direct supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer, complete required coursework during the four years in school, and pass a national exam. Now, it is a master’s degree program and one can only get the credential by attending a school that has received accreditation in athletic training.

What are your responsibilities as head athletic trainer?

During the day, I am teaching. The training room opens at 3 p.m. That is when athletes can come in to get evaluations of injuries, treatments, or work on their rehabilitation program.

What classes have you taught at East?

The majority of my teaching has been biology, anatomy and physiology, and honors health and medical science with an occasional class sprinkled in when I first started here. Currently, I am teaching biology and honors health and medical science.

How many East athletic competitions would you estimate you have attended over the years?

Too many to even think about counting. We have around 22 sports, with levels ranging from one to five teams per sport, per year. All home Colorado High School Activities Association [CSHAA]  sports from C level to varsity are covered.

In your experience, which sports carry the highest risk of injury to the student athletes?

Football, boy’s lacrosse, wrestling and rugby, which is a club sport.

What recommendations do you have for athletes to reduce the risk of injury?

Nutrition and hydration are a key component to reducing injuries. The other recommendation is to practice proper technique.

What developments have you seen in the science of athletic training?

The biggest is how we deal with concussions. There was a law, [the Jake Snakenberg Youth Sports Concussion Act], that was initiated and implemented after a football player from Grandview sustained a concussion, did not report it, received a second concussion and died. Now, all athletes have to be cleared by a doctor to return to play. I have several athletes self-report they were hit in the head.

What happens if you suspect a player has suffered a concussion?

If I suspect a concussion, the athlete is removed from play and a concussion test is administered. If there are key positive signs/symptoms to a concussion, they are not allowed to continue playing.

Have you ever gotten into conflict with a coach or parent about having to remove a player from a game or for several days?

There are times that coaches or parents think the student athlete does not have a concussion. There is a lot of education for coaches, parents, and athletes about concussions, what occurs with the brain, what can happen if they play with a concussion. There is no set timeline when an athlete can start the return to play protocol; it is all dependent on symptoms. If a parent really feels their child does not have a concussion, they can take their child to a doctor and provide documentation from the doctor.

What is the most challenging part of being an athletic trainer?

Having athletes, coaches, parents try to tell me there is nothing wrong and challenge my decision with the athlete. It is frustrating to have coaches direct the athletes to say “there is nothing wrong with me,” and not to tell the athletic trainers anything happened.

Overseeing all of the athletic training for all the sports teams at East seems like a huge task. How many games do you personally attend?

Daniela Gonzalez, the other certified athletic trainer, and I rotate coverage. If I covered boys basketball one game, she will cover the next home game and so on. Personally covering games will vary on the number of home games. Sometimes we can have two or more home sports playing the entire week, including Saturday. Other times, we may only have a few sports for the week.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career at East?

The numerous connections that I have made with coaches, athletes, and parents. Educating athletes about their injury and how we will work together to get them back on the playing surface as quickly as possible.  Also, saving the life of the assistant principal with CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator [AED].

Is there anything else you would like people to know?

I have been an athletic trainer and teacher for 33 years. I learn about the athletes [by] listening to what they are saying. Learning is a lifelong process.