“Even though caring for any athlete’s injuries is a goal and priority of mine, I feel it is more important to be a safe space for anyone who walks through the doors of the athletic training room. I want to be an open ear for anyone who needs it. I want to put a smile on everyone’s face. I want to create an environment of validation and reassurance. I’m human. So I know that everyone may need someone safe at any point. I want to make sure that every athlete I meet knows that I can be that someone.”

By MK Myers

Chances are if you are an athlete here at Collegiate, you have found yourself in the training room at one point or another. Tara Tate, new to Collegiate in 2019, is one of the three athletic trainers who can be found ready to help in the training room, alongside Shannon Winston and Erin Deloye.

Tate posing with Deloye after a soccer game at City Stadium. Photo credit: Tara Tate.

During her childhood, Tate claims that she, “genuinely had no idea what she wanted to pursue as a career.” One day, when Tate was in eighth grade, she was watching her older brother’s football game at Varina High School. One of the players took a hard hit, and after laying on the ground for a little too long, Tate saw a woman run out onto the field and crouch beside the athlete. She watched in amazement, because while the spectators in the stands seemed worried, the lady seemed very calm. At the time, Tate attended a middle school that didn’t have any athletic trainers. Tate asked her mother, “Who is that lady? What is she doing?” And her mother’s response was, “That’s Ms. Randi, she helps the injured athletes.”

It was at that moment when Tate knew that when she was old enough, she wanted to meet Ms. Randi and try to work with her, which is exactly what happened. From tenth grade through senior year, Tate shadowed Ms. Randi whenever she could. 

Growing up in the Richmond area, Tate attended Varina High School, where she was a starter on the tennis team all four years. Tate continued her studies at Longwood University, where she played rugby and saw some of the “most gnarly injuries.” While at Longwood, Tate was also the president of the Longwood Athletic Trainers’ Association and participated in the school’s chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. After graduating from Longwood, Tate was employed through Bon Secours, and as of this academic school year, she is employed full time at Collegiate.

When asked about her favorite thing at Collegiate, Tate stated, “It’s so hard to say one thing that is my favorite. When I hear ‘favorite,’ I think of what I look forward to every day. And honestly, that’s the students. Each of the athletes I work with make coming to work everyday one of the most rewarding parts of my day.”

Tate helping a soccer player during the state championship game. Photo credit: Frances Thackston.

As an athletic trainer, much of what Tate does is completed behind the scenes. Whether creating or updating exercise plans, treating athletes during free periods, restocking kits, sending emails, or documentation, Tate is constantly assisting the athletes here at Collegiate. 

Tate claims that, “education is one of the most important parts of my job.” It isn’t uncommon to walk in the training room and see the weekly trivia question, as well as the advanced weekly trivia question, hanging on the wall. “It’s super important to me that an athlete understands what is going on with their injury.” Tate states, “This not only ensures proper communication from athlete to coach, but also helps the athlete understand the severity of their injury and have a more realistic view on the recovery process and timeline.” 

Alongside Tate, you can find Emily Deskevich (‘22) and Kate Riopelle (‘22) in the training room. These seniors shadow Tate after school and assist the athletes that come into the training room.

Deskevich describes Tate as, “a supporter,” remarking, “how easy she is to talk to. Whether it is about an injury or something else in your life, Tara is always there to listen.”

“Tara helps everyone be their best,” Riopelle states, “She is so genuinely excited when people start to make a recovery from an injury, even if it’s just the smallest improvement. She wants the best for everyone and takes it upon herself to encourage others while holding them accountable. Her efforts allow for other people’s successes.” 

Tate is able to help any and all athletes that may need assistance. Many athletes have already been impacted by Tate’s kindness during her first full-time year at Collegiate.

“Tara just positively gives everything she has for Collegiate. She works a lot, and still is nice to everyone, even at the end of her shift. Always ready to help anyone, she definitely is a positive contributor to the community,” says runner and tennis player Jonathan Yackel (‘22). “She is the nicest, most kind, and understandable person at Collegiate.”

Runner and soccer player Will Neuner (‘22) describes Tara as, “a super nice, genuine person who really loves to help other people.” Neuner states, “It’s more than just a profession to her; she really engages with the students, and I think we all have a good relationship with her, which means we all really enjoy being in there.”

Three-season runner Abby Dunn (‘23) claims, “she improves [Collegiate], not only the health of the school, but the community by being such a wonderful trainer and such an easy person to talk to.” 

”Tara has had a very positive impact on the Collegiate community. She always goes further than what is expected of an athletic trainer. She is not just a caregiver, she’s a friend to most,” stated soccer player Jack Hill (‘22). Hill added, “the main thing that stands out about Tara is her hospitality. She is always so warm and welcoming and does a good job of creating a positive atmosphere in the training room, which can oftentimes be a place of frustration.”

Tate alongside “X,” her dog. Photo credit: Tara Tate.

Aside from her job, Tate enjoys working out, practicing mindfulness and affirmations, taking walks outside, and spending time with her dog. As she has been vegan since 2016, Tate enjoys experimenting with new and old recipes. She is also currently taking a class to become a certified yoga instructor, which she is hoping to finish by the end of this year.

Featured image credit: Jack Hill (‘22).