WHEN SHE ENTERED HIGH SCHOOL, JORDAN MCCRAY DECIDED SHE DID NOT WANT TO CONTINUE PLAYING SPORTS.
However, because her love of them still remained, she wanted to find a way to feed that interest.
So, as McCray tried different activities to get a feel for what she wanted, the Travis senior got involved in the athletic department’s sports medicine program as a sophomore.
“Ever since then, I have been in love with it,” she said.
Where to start?
McCray loves the rehabilitation process for student-athletes, learning new exercises to better get them back to competition sooner.
“Seeing athletes come back from their injuries is fun when you’ve been with them during the process, especially if it was a longer lasting injury,” McCray said.
Ankle taping has been McCray’s favorite skill to learn. Initially, she hated it because she could not get it down perfectly. Now it’s become friendly competition between her and other student trainers.
“The most difficult skill for me to learn was being able to identify ligaments, specifically in the foot and ankle,” she said. “There are so many, and the names can be difficult to remember.”
McCray’s favorite sport to be a trainer for is football.
“The time right before games is the most exciting because everyone is happy while we get the players ready,” she said. “I love being on the sidelines during games and hearing how hyped the crowd always is. Our school has a lot of pride.”
McCray, who sees herself in 10 years having completed her master’s degree in athletic training and being a trainer in the NFL, spoke more with VYPE.
VYPE: What has been the most memorable moment so far in being part of the Travis sports medicine program?
MCCRAY: Our social events. Our head trainer, Jay Jones, and assistant trainer, Meghan Shank, usually try to put together some type of activity every month to help with team bonding. When we are all together as a group, there is always some type of funny moment. It’s like a family. Being part of this program is never boring.
VYPE: What have you learned about yourself while being part of the program?
MCCRAY: I am very empathetic and patient. Being a trainer isn’t just tending to ankle sprains and cuts. It’s also making sure the athlete knows that you understand what they are going through and that you are there to help them throughout the whole journey of their injury.
VYPE: What one word would you use to describe yourself?
MCCRAY: Charismatic, because it has always been very easy for me to get along with people, mainly because I am good at communicating.
VYPE: What is something a lot of people may not know about you?
MCCRAY: I am super dedicated when I am dead set on doing something. Most of the time, I am a silly person, so a lot of the time no one sees when I’m serious. I would say the only people that truly see how dedicated I am are my family members.
VYPE: What are you most excited about for your senior year?
MCCRAY: Finally, being able to participate in all the senior activities that I’ve seen the seniors before me participating in for the last three years. Senior night during football season and prom are definitely the big two I am most excited for. I can’t wait to see all my hard work pay off this year.
