MSU Health Care athletic trainers expand daily coverage to six area high schools

MSU Health Care athletic trainers are now providing daily coverage at six area high schools in and around East Lansing, according to an MSU Today story published Oct. 23, 2026. The schools are East Lansing, Okemos, Grand Ledge, Fowlerville, Haslett and Holt.

How the program has grown

The outreach athletic training program began about three years before the article was published. According to Martha Munsell, an MSU Health Care Sports Medicine athletic trainer at Fowlerville High School, the first schools to receive coverage were Fowlerville, Haslett and Holt. The program later expanded to include East Lansing, Okemos and Grand Ledge.

MSU Health Care trainers attend practices and games, but their work is not limited to event coverage. They are present on a daily basis at the schools, giving student-athletes a regular source of medical support when injuries or other health issues come up.

• Daily coverage at six high schools
• Original schools: Fowlerville, Haslett and Holt
• Expanded schools: East Lansing, Okemos and Grand Ledge
• Program began about three years before the article

What athletic trainers do

The article says athletic trainers are licensed health care professionals who serve as the first line of medical support for student-athletes. Their responsibilities include injury prevention, emergency response, rehabilitation oversight, return-to-play decisions and communication with physicians and families.

Many readers may think of athletic trainers mainly as people who tape ankles or respond after someone gets hurt. The article says their role is broader. They also help identify injury trends and suggest changes to training plans before problems become widespread.

For example, if trainers notice repeated shoulder injuries or ongoing back issues on a team, they can alert coaches and recommend adjustments to conditioning, stretching or warmup routines.

Why prevention matters in school sports

Munsell said athletic trainers often work with coaches to build preventive exercise programs tailored to each sport. Those plans may include jumping and landing drills, strength work and warmups meant to reduce the risk of serious injuries such as ACL tears.

The article also notes that injury patterns can change from one season to the next, so trainers keep reviewing what they are seeing and updating advice as needed. That ongoing attention can help schools respond before a small issue becomes a larger one.

Haley Diringer, the athletic director at Holt High School, said athletic trainers are a critical part of student safety and risk management. According to Diringer, they are an essential member of the team and help put student-athletes’ well-being first.

Preparing for emergencies and connecting care

MSU Health Care’s sports safety training initiatives also help schools prepare for emergencies such as cardiac events, heat illness, severe bleeding, spinal injuries and breathing emergencies. The annual training supports emergency action planning and helps coaches, athletic directors and medical professionals work together.

The article says some schools may also have MSU Health Care physicians available for certain games or events under separate contracts, but the athletic trainers provide the everyday care at practices and in the schools.

When an injury requires more than on-site treatment, the trainers can help connect athletes with sports medicine physicians and specialists. That may include imaging, orthopedic care, surgery or other treatment. The article cites examples such as a dislocated finger, a major cut or an ACL injury.

Support that continues after the injury

Heidi Lucke, who works as an athletic trainer at Haslett High School, said the job is busy and rewarding because it includes helping athletes prevent injuries, recover from them and stay safe through practices and games. She described the role as one of support behind the scenes, helping students through recovery and beyond.

For students and families, the article suggests that athletic trainers are more than sideline responders. They can be steady contacts, health professionals and connectors to a larger sports medicine system when problems become serious.

Source: MSUToday