Suffolk's Jeff Stone Featured in Training & Conditioning Magazine

By Jeff Stone

Jeff Stone, MEd, LAT, ATC, is the Head Athletic Trainer at Suffolk University. He most recently served as NATA District One Director (from 2004 to 2010) and was inducted into the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts Hall of Fame in January. In August, he was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year. He can be reached at:jstone@suffolk.edu.

You've probably heard many of your colleagues talk about "giving back to the profession" by volunteering on various committees at the state, district, and national levels. I started hearing this message when I was still in school. The former Head Athletic Trainer at Northeastern, Jack Baynes, and the founder of NU's Athletic Training Education Program, Koko Kassabian, always preached the importance of getting involved to make our profession stronger--to step up to the plate and make a difference.

At the time, I didn't give it much thought--I was more focused on landing a job after graduation and establishing my professional standards and philosophy. But after 20-plus years of volunteering on various committees and spending time in leadership roles at every level, I know exactly what my mentors were getting at. Throughout my volunteer experiences, I have kept athletic trainers' rights to fair compensation and equal pay at the forefront of my efforts.

I completed my most recent volunteer role last year when my six-year tenure as NATA District One Director came to an end. I have also sat on the NATA Board of Directors for six years, serving three NATA Presidents, and was a liaison to eight different NATA committees. As a district officer, I also sat on the Executive Board of the Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association (EATA) for 11 years, and managed the District One-New England Executive Council.

I am now in the midst of my second term as Medical Coordinator of the Bay State Games, which I have volunteered with since their inception in 1986. I've also served as President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts (ATOM) and sat on the ATOM Executive Board for 10 years.

Reflecting on more than two decades of conference calls, meetings, frequent flyer miles, and friendships that will last a lifetime, I realize I have learned a lot. I've learned how to maintain controlled balance, be a versatile multi-tasker, and roll with the punches--all while being a consummate professional in the athletic training room and remembering that the house needs cleaning and my dog Zeus needs to go for walks. I've also learned that without the support of my family, friends, and workplace administrators, service to the profession can be daunting and sometimes even thankless.

Finally, I've learned that giving back to my profession can also help me further my own career. Not only is volunteer work a great thing for your resume, but the networking opportunities are endless. There's a good chance you'll meet a future boss or colleague who will recommend you for the job of your dreams when you get out there and work with other people who, like you, have the profession's best interests at heart.