Royals MVP: Most Valuable Physician

Jason Godshall

Mike Downey speaks with Benjamin Shank (right), first-year, regarding his NCL, which he tore earlier in the season.

Mike Downey's original training facilities at EMU consisted of one tape bench and a whirlpool in a closet-like room. 17 years later, Downey continues to manage the training room as head athletic trainer.

EMU's varsity sports teams' successes greatly depend on the effectiveness of the training room and Downey's expertise. The athletic training room lies in the corner of the University Commons building, unknown to most students. A small segment of the student population, however, utilizes the training room on a daily basis. The athletic training team does not get a lot of attention from the EMU community. However, Downey says, "It's not a role that is there for attention. If we get attention on the field, it means an injury has happened." Downey says the health and safety of athletes is a "prime importance" and believes his job as athletic trainer is to fulfill that need.

The athletic training program is vitally important to each team. Sophomore Jackson Maust, goalkeeper for the men's soccer team who recently experienced two concussions says, "Mike has a lot of experience, and he has done a great job of balancing his caution with my desire to get back playing. If it was up to me, I wouldn't do too much treatment and wouldn't sit out games. Since he understands that, he tries his best to get me back playing, but still gets me healthy for the long run."

Junior Lauren Michel, field hockey and softball player, also appreciates the training staff, "They are very devoted in what they do in having to serve all athletes. [The training room has] a very comfortable environment." Lauren has been treated for a quad pull, a strained groin, and back irritation during her career at EMU.

Downey admits, "[Athletic training] is a daunting task." Over the years, the program has changed since athletes utilize the training room year round. Even though the training room has many more injuries, rehab, and treatment to deal with, they still have no more help. Downey appreciates the James Madison University students and work study students who devote hours working in the training room.

Downey first became interested in the athletic training field in high school. He was a gym aid and became involved as a junior fire fighter, receiving his first aid certification. Downey went to an athletic training camp in 1976 and 1977 and realized that he had discovered a way to combine sports with first aid as a career choice.

Downey went to JMU and graduated with an athletic training major. Downey then began work at JMU as a graduate assistant athletic trainer from 1981 to 1983, helping with baseball and men's soccer.

After graduate school, Downey began work at Rockingham Memorial Hospital until John Denlinger, former athletic director at EMU, asked Mike to work in the athletic training department in 1989. Downey remained at EMU until 1999, when he went to Spotswood High School and was head athletic trainer for two years.

When EMU built it's current training facility, Downey designed the facilities even though EMU did not employ him at the time. Eventually Downey was drawn back to EMU in summer 2001 and is currently head athletic trainer. Downey enjoys college athletics over high school athletics, saying that he likes being able to focus on 200 athletes rather than 500.