Experienced trainer eases athletes' pain and fears
Dave Frisby, head trainer, worked for the Cinncinatti Reds and U of M. After five years, he calls Hillsdale his home.
Andy Buss
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Sports
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"My knees are sore and then my back too."
This Q & A - and thousands like it - make up the work life of Dave Frisby, head athletic trainer at Hillsdale College.
"Well do you remember when this started? When you did this?"
Analysis continues. After a range of different motion and strength tests and demonstrations awkward but telling movements, Frisby, in his fifth year at the college, dishes out the diagnosis.
"Rotator cuff strain," Frisby says. "I'd be the most surprised guy in the world if you had any kind of tear."
Frisby sees it all. After owning his own sports medicine sales company, Wolverine Lakes Medical, and being a trainer at countless high schools, colleges and various organizations, he doesn't see anything in the Roche Sports Complex's training room that blows him away. His experience even stretches to the likes of the University of Michigan and the Cincinnati Reds major league baseball team.
With Frisby's personal attention given to each and every Charger battling an injury, the athletes take notice.
"You can tell that he genuinely cares about every athlete and their well being and how they perform," senior volleyball player Stephanie Booms said. "It's nice how he seeks you out to ask about your specific injury and make sure you're getting better."
Booms added Frisby provides a certain peace of mind and convenience that can't be diminished.
"It's reassuring to know that you can just walk downstairs in the sports complex, and he'll be there to help you out," she said.
"Who's next?" Frisby shouts.
"It's my foot, my shoulder - my hip too," a football player says.
Frisby's years as an athlete throughout junior high and high school led to many injuries of his own. As a member of the team who was often sidelined with setbacks, Frisby found interest in other ways to contribute. After graduating from Ohio State University's athletic training program - ranked 10th in the nation - Frisby went to the Reds before going back to Ohio State to earn his master's in athletic training and sports administration. While with the Reds he was able to witness a perfect game.
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