Dan The Trainer Man
November 6, 2017
He’s the guy at every sporting event, the person you go to when something just doesn’t feel right. He will always talk to you, even if he has a plate full of other things to do. He’s Dan. Dan the Trainer man.
For eight years Dan has been our athletic trainer. When is he not taping someone’s smelly foot? Student athletes absolutely love him, and he is a favorite in the Broomfield community.
After completing high school, Dan visited the University of Michigan. One of his dad’s best friends, Tommy, who had worked for the Colts in the NFL, had just moved back to Michigan to work for the University of Michigan. He’d given Dan a tour of the campus and all the facilities. And, amazed by the campus, Dan decided to pursue the new opportunities and decided to work for and study at Michigan. Being a key mentor in Dan’s life, Tommy not only helped guide Dan in the direction that led him where he his today, but also gave him the best advice for the career he was heading into.
Here in Broomfield, the community is grateful to have such a kind, outgoing, and determined trainer whose best interests are always in their athletes. “In the 20 or so years I’ve been coaching, I have never had an athletic trainer as skilled, hardworking, and as kid-centered as Dan,” said coach Zechmann. “He is always keeping the best interest of the kids in mind, but at the same time is able to recognize how injured a young person is, and allowing them to come back on their own terms. And that’s important!” Coaches can’t express how thankful they are to have Dan’s intellect to correct and heal their players and to have his support at every athletic event.
But how much does Dan actually enjoy his job? Many wake up in the morning dreading the exhausting eight hours of work that lie ahead. But “he absolutely loves his job! He is so committed to helping Broomfield students in more ways than just treating injuries, ” said Stacy Rosseau, Dan’s wife. “The students and staff at Broomfield are like family to him, and he takes that really seriously.” For Dan, his work motivates him every day. “One of my favorite things is working with kids, especially those with big injury rehabs, and seeing them play again,” said Dan. Not to mention, not every school is the best at sports, so for Dan, being able to work with a school that thrives athletically is a lot of fun and exciting.
At the same time, there are some inconveniences to being the athletic trainer. While most adults are getting off work in the afternoon, Dan is just showing up as school ends and afternoon practice is beginning. Don’t forget the early Saturday morning cross country meets, volleyball tournaments, and tennis matches, and many more events, all of which Dan attends. Yes, it’s his job, but he still sacrifices precious time with his wife and kids. “There are obviously downsides,” said Dan. “I never get to put my kids to bed, or eat dinner with my kids. But I do have mornings off, which is nice.” However, Stacy said “He does a really good job of balancing both parts of his life.”
It’s hard to think of what Broomfield would be like if we didn’t have Dan. To have someone as caring and loyal as Dan. Someone who is so dedicated and devotes everything into what he loves. Feet would be un-taped, injuries would go unsaid, and the students would be unhappy. So thank you, Dan, for everything.