As any college athletic program in the country will tell you, the athletic trainers are the most important behind the scenes part of any team. The Athletic Training Staff at BYU–Hawaii is no exception.
The Athletic Training Staff is led by Head Trainer Dawn Akana and fellow trainer Guy Boydstun. Akana, a BYUH graduate, has been working here since 1994. Akana previously worked at University of Hawaii, and after some persuasion, decided to come here to BYUH as the head trainer. “I enjoy working with the student athletes and being able to help them get better,” said Akana. ”It’s always exciting to see them be successful and getting back on the field or court.”
The physical trainers and students who make up the ATS provide medical support for the 11 different athletic sports teams here on campus. Their job is to make sure everyone is healthy.
“It isn’t easy dealing with the various schedules of the 11 different teams and coaches that we have to be helping,” said Akana.
The trainers are there to ensure all the student athletes receive medical treatment with everything from wrapping hurt ankles to sore muscles and the regular bumps and bruises that come along with college sports. On rare occasions, they help treat major injuries such as muscle, tendon or ligament tears, and broken bones.
Being on the ATS also provides great opportunities for students who are hoping to start a career in physical therapy.
Jacklyn Nolton, a senior in EXS from Virginia and a current student staff member, said, “I have been able to get a lot of valuable experience treating athletes. It has been a good start for me.” Whatever the situation is, the trainers are there to aid the athletes’ recovery and get them back to full health as soon as possible.
“Guy and Dawn are the best,” said Men’s Soccer Senior Captain Landon Southwick. “They are always so helpful. They make sure you are taken care of and ready to train and play each and every day.”