Reggie Scott, a CPASS athletic training graduate, has received the 2015 NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year award. Scott is director of sports medicine and performance for the Los Angeles Rams. Prior to this position Scott served as head athletic trainer for the Rams for five years.
The Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society presents the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year award for excellence within the athletic training profession. This is the first season that the Rams have earned the honor.
Scott gives credit to his staff for this achievement. “It’s very humbling to be named the Athletic Training Staff of the Year in the NFL. My staff does an outstanding job and it’s an honor to get this recognition so early in my career.”
Scott, who graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s in athletic training, credits West Virginia University with helping to launch his career. “Working with sports at WVU was priceless. The clinical rotations really gave me a feel for what my profession would be like. Not a lot of careers offer that in college. Also, having the networking opportunities gave me an internship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which allowed me to propel my career in the NFL.”
“One of the amazing things about our athletic training program at WVU is the networking that it provides. I have been blessed to be connected in one of greatest group of athletic trainers in America and it pays dividends. It not only helps me with the competency of athletic training but the program showed me the type of character, work ethics and drive it would take to be a successful athletic trainer. I couldn’t have been at a better program as an undergraduate,” added Scott.
Scott credits mentors for his success. John Spiker, Associate Professor Vince Stilger, Head Football Athletic Trainer Dave Kerns, Head Men’s Basketball Athletic Trainer Randy Meador and CPASS Dean Dana Brooks are just a few of the many people who guided Scott.
“They each gave me nuggets along the way that I still use till this day that helps me provide good care to my players,” Scott said.
Scott offers tips for students who wish to follow a similar path. He encourages students to network with the knowledgeable faculty and staff at WVU and to be passionate about their career.
“Make sure you’re passionate at what you do. It’s easy to wake up in the morning and go to work when you love what you do. Also, when you love what you do, it’s easy to get better at it because you yearn to be around it, learn about it and strive to perfect your craft. You cannot be a successful athletic trainer if you don’t love it,” Scott suggested.
Scott advises that students don’t burn bridges in the business of athletic training. “It’s a small career population. References are critically important from every person you work for. Make sure you leave a good reference for yourself regardless of your experience,” Scott concluded.