As some of you may have heard, Coach Hodges is no longer the official athletic trainer at SSES; she has been promoted to Saint Stephen’s Coordinator of Health and Human Performance. With Hodges’ new promotion, her shoes will be filled by none other than Coach Kelly.

Not many people have gotten to know Coach Kelly yet, but as the sports seasons progress, you will be seeing her more often than you think. Whether it is to get an ankle taped or even just going to one of your games, Coach Kelly has got you and your ankle covered. Literally. The Gauntlet interviewed Coach Kelly to help you get to know her a little better and know more about her story.

Q: How old are you and where are you from?
A: I am 23 years old and I am originally from Minnesota.

Q: Did you play sports in high school or college?
A: I swam from the age of 8 all the way through high school and my first semester of college.

Q: Where did you go to college and what did you major in?
A: I went to Florida Gulf Coast University and studied athletic training.

Q: What sparked your interest in becoming an athletic trainer?
A: I grew up around sports and my dad is a sports broadcaster,so I grew up going to games as long as I could remember. In high school I became really passionate about sports and injuries and helping people through personal health. I found out about athletic training, and here I am.

Q: Is this your first job, or have you had previous work experiences?
A: I’ve worked a lot of jobs. I got my first job when I was 13 or 14 years old working at a chiropractor clinic. That was when I first realized I really liked helping people and being a part of people’s health and being. This is my second job out of college.

Q: How did you hear about Saint Stephen’s and what made you want to work here?
A: I heard about Saint Stephen’s from the athletic director at my old school. She had realized on the FHSAA website that they needed someone, so I looked up the school online and thought it looked cool. I applied and I interviewed, and here I am.

Q: What’s the best part about your job?
A: The best part about my job is getting to make connections with athletes and getting to be a part of their recovery.

Q: If you weren’t an athletic trainer, what would you be?
A: I would probably be a chiropractor because my first job was at a chiropractor clinic and I thought it was really cool.

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I workout, I sleep, and I take my dog on walks. I have a hound-retriever mix with big floppy ears named Bentley.

After talking with Coach Kelly, I realized just how enthusiastic she is about her job and becoming a part of the SSES family. So, whether you need your ankle taped, an ice pack on an injury, or just want to say hi, I strongly encourage everyone to stop by her office in the field house and give a warm welcome to one of our newest Falcons!