March is Athletic Training Appreciation Month, and we are so thankful for Head Athletic Trainer Jason Bailey and our certified Athletic Trainers through our partnership with Wake Orthopaedics, like Tyler Cahill. Get to know Jason and Tyler, and make sure to tell all of our athletic training staff thank you!

How long have you been with NCFC Youth, and what did you do before NCFC Youth?

Jason: I have been with NCFC Youth for 13 years - 14 this August. Previously I was the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Tyler: I've been with NCFC Youth for 1 year in April. Prior to NCFC Youth I did rotations with UPenn soccer, Temple soccer, Temple gymnastics, and Drexel basketball. 

What is the most rewarding aspect about working in the athletic training field?

Jason: Most rewarding is seeing kids get back to the field and enjoying playing soccer, healthy and without any pain.

Tyler: I played sports my entire life, mostly soccer, and dealt with various injuries throughout my athletic career. Athletic Trainers were essential to me and helped me return to sport in the best/healthiest way possible. I love being able to help future generations of athletes stay as healthy as possible and continue to play the sport that they love like the athletic trainers in my life did for me

What is your favorite part about working for NCFC Youth?

Jason: Working with the kids is awesome, and the staff that we have employed is fantastic and a pleasure to work with.

Tyler: Soccer was my life growing up and being able to stay a part of the sport while helping others continue to play is very fulfilling. 

Is there anything about working as an AT that might be surprising to someone who doesn’t know a lot about the industry? 

Jason: Definitely a rewarding profession, and you get to work with all kinds of athletes and meet great people.

Tyler: We are not just "trainers". Strength and conditioning is a part of our field, but we can do so much more than that: from saving someone's life, to diagnosing skin conditions, to splinting broken bones. So when you think of an Athletic Trainer don't just think about the strength and conditioning aspect because we are so much more!

What is a fun fact about you?

Jason: I grew up playing soccer at CASL, and love to play most sports for fun.

Tyler: I love to travel. My favorite country that I have been to so far is Japan.