Game Starters: Doug Boersma
August 31, 2012
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Doug Boersma, director of
sports medicine in Purdue Athletics, talks with running back Brandon Cottom in
the Mackey Arena facility. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) |
Before the team takes the field and the referee calls for kickoff, Purdue staff members play their part in making football games successful. Each Friday before a home game, as Ross-Ade Stadium waits to come alive with cheering Boilermakers, a staff member who is integral to game day will be featured in Purdue Today's Game Starters series. This week’s Game Starter is Doug Boersma, director of sports medicine.
For Doug Boersma, the new director of sports medicine in Purdue Athletics, the football home opener against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday may feel like Homecoming. Boersma, a 1997 Purdue graduate, returned to campus in February to oversee medical treatment and rehabilitation for all 18 varsity sports.
What drew you to the field of athletic training?
Like most athletic trainers, I was a high school athlete that wanted to work in a field that allowed me to continue to work with sports. Athlete training was a natural fit for me.
Why did you choose to return to Purdue?
Purdue has always been a special place for me. Coming back allowed my wife and me to return to our alma mater. The rich tradition of Purdue sports medicine and the people associated with the athletic department made this an easy decision. When I interviewed for this position, I felt I connected with the staff, the department and the community.
What has it been like to work with Denny Miller and how do you fill his shoes?
Denny has been a great mentor to me for years, but more importantly a friend. I've kept in contact with him since I left, and he was always willing to share ideas and to provide constructive criticism on situations I was going through. To come back and work with Denny for the past five months has been a dream come true. It's not every day that someone gets to replace a sports medicine icon like Denny. "Filling his shoes" … impossible! I can only hope my career ends up being as distinguished as his has been.
What do you like best about your job?
Hands down, the athletes! The population I get work with on a daily basis keeps me going. I may have developed a few gray hairs along the way, but I get to help student-athletes that the rest of the country pays to watch compete throughout the year. Our staff makes my job easier. The amount of talent that we have within our sports medicine department is ridiculous. We continue to stay ahead of the game in regards to technology and are progressive in the treatment and rehab of our athletes. Long ago, athletes were told to stay out of the training room because it showed weakness. Today, our focus is still on treatment and providing rehabilitation to injured athletes, but it's much more than that. We work to prevent injuries by utilizing screening mechanisms and implementing pre-habilitation programs. It can help us identify functional problems before they become injuries. Recovery is another part of sports medicine. Our new Mackey facility offers an atmosphere capable of providing the whole package: prehab, rehab and recovery.
What's Saturday game day like for you?
I can't wait for my first official game day back on the campus of the Purdue Boilermakers. Saturday is an exciting time for everyone involved with the program. Our sports medicine team will arrive at the stadium before fans are even thinking about tailgating. Once the team arrives, we work hard to get them ready for the game: Treatments, taping, stretching, game setup, field setup. As the game begins, my staff and I can exhale a bit and keep our fingers crossed that our team stays healthy and injury-free. On Sunday we start over again trying to get the team healthy for the next Saturday. I love my job!
Writer: William Meiners, 49-66524, wmeiners@purdue.edu
