Athletes win awards by showing extreme dedication in the sport they play, but head athletic trainer John Reynolds has won an award off of the field.
Reynolds received the second annual Vito Perriello Athletic Trainer of the Year for Secondary Schools Award from the Virginia Athletic Trainer Association on Jan. 14.
According to the VATA, the award is named after the late Vito Periello, a Virginia doctor who showed commitment and dedication toward his patients and is now in the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame.
Reynolds believes he received this award because of the level of attention he pays to the student athletes.
“I have always strived to provide the highest quality, the most comprehensive care for our student athletes and there is much of what we do from an injury evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation standpoint,” Reynolds said.
“I think it’s an honor to both the school and the community and we have been really fortunate to have Mr. Reynolds,” director of student activities Joe Swarm said.
Reynolds said he feels grateful for the support offered to him by the school administrators, faculty, students and the community for “helping me grow and develop as a person and as a professional.”
“I think that [the award] confirms what a great job Mr. Reynolds has been doing here for the past ten years as an athletic trainer,” assistant director of student activities Joe Vargo said.
The award also brings attention and pride to the Marshall community.
“It brings a lot of recognition to our school and it is something we are very proud of as a school and from a standpoint of athletics as well,” Vargo said.
“It definitely is a pride thing because there are not a whole lot of things that we can say we are number one at but we are definitely number one with our athletic trainer,” administrative assistant to student activities Kathy Veoni added.
“Most of the parents are very comfortable having their children looked at by him,” Veoni said. “They respect his knowledge so it is not only good for the athletes but it is great for the parents to have that comfort.”
Reynolds focuses on the future and continuing to provide his best efforts toward the student athletes and the Marshall community.
“We will continue to do the best job we can to provide and care for the needs of our student athletes and going forward I don’t see that any of that changing,” Reynolds said.