CSB+SJU Athletic Trainers Promote Student-Athlete Health

Athletic trainers work behind the scenes to ensure student athletes are safe and put in the best possible position for success.  

St. John’s University athletic trainer Scott Bierscheid and College of St. Benedict athletic trainer Rachel Bey are both key members of the athletic training staffs that provide consistent assistance for CSB+SJU student athletes.  

Bierscheid’s interest in sports medicine and athletic training started in high school when he suffered a few knee injuries while playing soccer before working with the athletic trainers at the school.  

Bierscheid received his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Mankato State University in 1992 and master’s degree in athletic administration in 1996 from St. Cloud State University.  

Since 1997, Bierscheid has served as the head athletic trainer at SJU.  

“I was working on my master’s degree as a graduate assistant with the St. Cloud State men’s hockey team and, right at the end of the 1995 football season, St. John’s needed an assistant,” Bierscheid said. “I was fortunate to apply and get hired. I always wanted to work football and college sports in general and so it seemed like a great opportunity at the time for me, already being in the St. Cloud area, to kind of just slide over, and I was able to finish my thesis and start working with St. John’s right away, and I’ve been here ever since.” 

Bey shared a similar beginning in athletic training.  

“I went to Burnsville High School from 2007-2011, and when I was there, I was in an Athletic Training class with a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Stachowski,” Bey said via email. “She showed us taping techniques, injuries and what it takes to be an athletic trainer.” 

Bey then shadowed the Burnsville athletic trainer before attending UWEC and majoring in kinesiology with an emphasis in athletic training.  

After an internship at Wofford College, Bey went to the University of South Carolina where she got her MS in Advanced Athletic Training and was able to secure a position at CSB.  

“I landed this great spot in 2018 and have been here since! I have enjoyed working with CSB and all our athletics staff,” Bey said. “Our athletes are the most kind, funny and supportive women I’ve gotten a chance to work with. I’m very appreciative of their patience, trust and for keeping me young.” 

A typical day for Bierscheid, who primarily works with football and baseball, is jam-packed, with administrative work in the morning before getting out to campus to treat and prepare student-athletes for practice. 

“The majority of the first part of my day is administrative duties, emails and checking on updates from doctors if we’ve sent athletes in for any further treatment or further referrals,” Bierscheid said. “In the afternoon, it’s preparing for practice and once the athletes arrive, do treatments and get them taped up and braced up. Then it’s kind of like a firefighter, you’re just waiting there in case something happens.”  

Bey, who teaches EXHS 230-001 Sports Injury Management and works with soccer, hockey, lacrosse and tennis, says she stays busy with so many things occurring throughout the day. 

“My day to day is not so much a day to day,” Bey said. “After being in our athletic training facility most of the morning – I like to get to practices about an hour early to help with pre-practice treatments which can range from taping an ankle, to dry–needling, to injury rehab. As an athletic trainer I always like to say that we wear many, many hats. One second, I’m taping an ankle after an ankle sprain at practice or giving out snacks to hungry student athletes–the next I could be bringing an athlete to an appointment with our team physician at St. Cloud Orthopedics. My day to day is a bit hectic but it keeps me busy–and I like busy.” 

One aspect of athletic training that people may not fully understand is the extent of the medical services athletic trainers provide.  

“We are allied healthcare professionals, so we are providing medical services in the athletic training room,” Bierscheid said. “On a daily basis, we’re evaluating what’s wrong with athletes, giving referrals to doctors and doing ultrasounds, electrical stimulation, cupping, stretching and everything that’s needed to get them to return.”  

Bey added that their responsibilities are always changing.  

“We can manage equipment issues [and] manage mental health crises,” Bey said. “We are also in charge of preparing for emergencies that happen in sports, such as cardiac events, severe traumas, allergic reactions and concussions.”   

Athletic trainers also have to be able to communicate and respond to the needs of players, coaches and staff members.  

“As athletic trainers, we’re always kind of multitasking,” Bierscheid said. “We’re trying to be kind of the center of that wagon wheel to communicate as far as letting people know who’s available, who’s not, where they’re in their recovery process, and letting the athletes know what we can do for them. Just doing everything you can with God’s grace to get people back.” 

A unique and rewarding part for the trainers is getting the chance to build and grow relationships with athletes, coaches and staff.  

“I honestly think that’s a huge reason I am in college athletics,” Bey said. “I love creating these relationships with the CSB+SJU athletes and staff. It’s all about trust and preparedness in college athletics–and by creating these relationships–the trust and preparedness comes a little easier. We have to all work together to enjoy the ups and downs of college athletics. I’m just appreciative that people accept me and my profession with respect here!” 

Bierscheid expressed a similar perspective.  

“I think what draws people to athletic training is you get to know these students,” Bierscheid said. “Fortunately, at the college level, athletes are going to be with you for a good three to four years. One unique thing about St. John’s is just the longevity of coaching careers. You really get to build not only work relationships, but friendships and go through highs and lows and see their successes on and off the field. It just kind of gives you that family feel, that community feeling of just being a part of something special here.” 

Bierscheid, who is in his 31st year at SJU, has been able to work with plenty of decorated athletes over the years including the 2003 national championship football team.  

“The 2003 national championship year with Blake Elliott, he actually was battling a pretty significant hamstring injury down the stretch through the playoffs and into that championship game,” Bierscheid said. “That one was always kind of memorable of what we did, but I’ve been fortunate to work with so many great student athletes. Hopefully they remember me helping them along the way.”  

Wyatt McCabe, a running back on the SJU football team, has experienced first-hand how the athletic training staff has helped student athletes on campus. 

“The whole staff is great. They are all great trainers and even better people, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them,” said McCabe via email. “I’ve had a shoulder injury I’ve been dealing with throughout college. Scott has been great to work with, and he’s always trying to get you back out on the field. He’s more than just a trainer as well. He brings great energy to our sidelines and he’s the type of guy you want to say hi to whenever he’s around.” 

For Bey, the rewarding part of athletic training is being reliable in various facets.  

“The rewarding part about being an athletic trainer is being a safe space for the student athletes who are in their darkest times,” Bey said. “It’s never fun being injured or sick–but knowing I can help them and maybe turn their day around even a little bit is awesome. I think it’s pretty cool being on the sidelines watching our athletes get better every day doing something they enjoy the most. These athletes always keep me on my toes and keep me wanting to learn.”  

Bierscheid highlighted that Holly Blenker (football and hockey), Lindsay Voigt (soccer, basketball, cross country, track and field) and Tom Sickler (football, wrestling and track and field) are all assistant certified athletic trainers that help SJU in various ways. They also have student workers and internship opportunities for those interested in sports medicine.  

Bey emphasized the help from her student workers as well along with the staff, including athletic trainers Miranda Nieman and Grace Halvorson.