Athletic Trainer Heads to Hartford to Discuss Importance of Job

There are about 500 student athletes at Newtown High School, and on any one given day, Sabrina Byrne may interact with up to 60 to 70 students.

Despite the sheer numbers, Byrne, 33, the school's athletic trainer, takes particular pride in trying to get to know each one personally.

"It's nice having someone come in who knows these kids," she said.

As a fulltime high school athletic trainer, Byrne is considered a rarity in some corners of Connecticut, although she and the Athletic Trainer's Association are working on trying to change that.

Byrne expects to travel to Hartford on Monday, Feb. 14 to talk to legislators about the Athletic Trainer's Practice Act, which among other things would require a fulltime trainer at every high school.

Some schools have only part-time trainers, which means they only have enough time to come during games, leaving open practices when many injuries occur, Byrne said

"Most bad things happen at practice," she said.

Byrne typically starts work in the afternoon and then stays through evening games and practices. She also said she makes her cell phone available to parents so if they have a question after hours, they can reach her late at night. 

In addition to evaluating injuries, Byrne provides in-school rehabilitation, which can help cut down on costs for parents.

Among one of her major accomplishments is helping to the implement the state mandated concussion management program at the high school. Now, players who exhibit any signs of a concussion must stay off of the field for at least a week and a half.

Students who exhibit the signs -- including a headache -- must wait a full week after they have  no symptoms before they can take a test, which they must pass before being allowed back into play.

"It's definitely a well-oiled machine," Byrne said of the concussion management program.

Her work attracted interest from other schools looking for guidance on how to implement a similar program, officials said.

Byrne, who has been at the school for four years, is a mainstay of the athletic program, colleagues said.

"She has a good rapport with the kids and she also knows her stuff," Jennifer Huettner, a former Newtown teacher who works in Westport now but still keeps game time at many Newtown schools, said of Byrne.

Byrne said she is used to wearing many hats while at school.

"I feel like I'm their mother, brother or sister, guidance counselor," Byrne said. "It's a nice bond that you get here."