A decade ago, the Athletic Training industry was a male-dominated one[1].  That was right around the time Katie Neece was deciding on a career path.  She joined the Anniston Orthopaedic Sports Medicine team, led by Shawn Seeger, in Fall 2022.  Neece, a 5-sport athlete in high school, says she was drawn to the idea of becoming an athletic trainer for one reason: “I want to help people. And since athletics were a huge part of my life, this career path made sense.”

Neece is the only female athletic trainer in the Calhoun County area at the high school level, and she says that in all of Northeast Alabama, the ratio of men-to-women trainers is still probably about 3:1.  What difference does that make?  It doesn’t. “I’m not treated differently by other Athletic Trainers or coaches.  It’s impossible to say what someone thinks of you when they see you, but if they have a certain opinion that isn’t accurate, it just takes time to sort that out.”

And Neece plans on having plenty of time.  In May 2020, Neece married her college sweetheart, Anthony.  While it isn’t uncommon for female trainers to be married, the number of women in the profession drops drastically when families are started.  Practices, games and tournaments are all held at varying times, and the demands on athletic trainers can be strenuous.  Neece says she specifically chose to direct her professional attention to high school level athletes because of her personal experience growing up.  “I realized that starting a family wouldn’t have to be the death of my career.  In high school, I saw coaches’ kids at almost every practice.  The lessons they were learning on the court or field were lessons you can’t learn anywhere else.  I want that for my kids, too.”

This interview with Neece took place on Tuesday, January 3, 2023—just 12 hours after Buffalo Bills Safety, Damar Hamlin, collapsed on the field in the first quarter of the Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals.  When asked what her thoughts were as the world watched the athletic trainers immediately begin attending to Hamlin, performing CPR until paramedics could arrive[2], Neece said, “The quick decision-making of those athletic trainers emphasizes the role of trainers at every level. Thankfully, life and death situations are extremely rare in athletics.  But the truth is, every athletic trainer is educated and prepared to provide the care necessary to save someone’s life.”

In reference to why some with “minor” injuries choose to avoid medical care, Neece is sympathetic to athletes not wanting to miss a game, nor wanting to take time away from school to go to a doctor.  It’s why she takes her role as intermediary between athlete and physician very seriously. “We are the first line of defense. Working with Anniston Orthopaedic Associates, knowing what the orthopaedic surgeons are looking for, helps me to be an extension of the office.  We can do conservative treatment out of the office, so the athlete can return to play in the most efficient time possible.”  

Coach Chris Randall, Head Basketball Coach at White Plains High School, says Neece has been an asset to his program. "Katie has brought so much professionalism to our basketball culture. She has a way of dealing with injuries that seems to calm the players. She never panics. She exudes confidence in the right way," Randall said. "It's been a privilege to have her working with us."

We feel the same way, Coach.

If you have questions about our athletic trainer services, or need orthopaedic care, call our office at Anniston Orthopaedic Associates: 256-236-4121.

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_{By Katie Edwards, Anniston Orthopaedic Director of Marketing, kedwards@annistonortho.com}

[1] https://www.zippia.com/athletic-trainer-jobs/demographics/

[2] https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/bills-safety-damar-hamlin-collapses-on-field-trainers-perform-cpr-during-game-vs-bengals/3034980/?amp=1

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