The man who tackles the injuries

The backbone of sports is athletic training, the link between the athletes and their health. Head University of New Mexico athletic trainer David Binder knows the ins, outs and everything else of this esteemed field.

by VANESSA STROBBE

In the final moments of a big game, a star athlete falls to the ground with an injury.

The game stops.

The crowd goes silent.

An athletic trainer rushes to the scene.

In the world of sports, athletes stand at the forefront of recognition. Their every performance is analyzed, their every accomplishment is praised. But standing behind the stars and behind the scenes are athletic trainers – the medically trained stars who keep the athletes healthy.

No one knows this behind-the-scene action better than head University of New Mexico athletic trainer David Binder.

A certified athletic trainer for 38 years, 58-year-old Binder leads a team of five full-time trainers, nine graduate assistants and 38 student trainers at UNM. He arrives at the L.F. “Tow” Diehm Athletic Facility at 6 a.m. and stays until at least 6 p.m., often putting in more than 12-hour days.

“I’m very fortunate that I selected a job which I really love to do, so I enjoy coming to work every day,” Binder said. “Being here seven days a week – it’s not a problem, and it’s not even as much about dedication. I just really enjoy what I do.”

Binder said he enjoys his job so much that he’s never taken a sick day in his 38-year career.

He got into the field in 1970 after playing for the University of Texas-El Paso football team his freshman year. He said he wasn’t very good at football but wanted to remain close to his friends, so he took an open position as a student athletic trainer. From Day One, Binder said he developed a passion he’s maintained through his life.

Binder earned his master’s degree in sports medicine at UTEP, where he worked as an athletic trainer until 1995 when he took the head position at UNM. He said he made the move to provide his family a better life in Albuquerque and his children a better education at UNM.

Entering his 13th year at UNM, Binder said his duties as head athletic trainer change from year to year, but the principle he upholds has remained the same.

“The basic thing is, an athletic trainer is a person who cares more for the athletes than himself or herself personally,” he said. “If you come first, it’s not going to work. I don’t put them in front of my family, my country or my religion, but I put athletes ahead of me.”

When athletes get injured, Binder takes part in diagnosing the injury as well as providing rehabilitation for as long as the athlete needs to recover. Binder said one of the most satisfying aspects of his job is watching the athlete return to 100 percent health and perform again.

“There’s no doubt it feels really good to see that,” he said. “We put in time and show them how to do it, but when it comes down to it, they do all the work, all the rehab. We’re excited and pulling for them and trying to live our lives through some of these kids by getting them back out there.”

More importantly than helping athletes recover in the short-run, Binder says his long-term contributions to athletes’ lives is what matters the most.

“The most rewarding thing is when an athlete will come back after already graduating and say ‘Thank you, you’ve made a difference. Thank you for taking care of me,’” Binder said. “That’s a big, big deal.”

Binder has made such a big difference in some athletes’ lives that he is the godfather of one of his athlete’s daughters. But he said the biggest honor he has ever gotten was when a former athlete named his son after Binder.

Aside from personal honors, Binder has also collected his share of formal accolades. He was recognized with UTEP’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, and he is a member of the UTEP Sports Hall of Fame. He was elected to the El Paso Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. More recently, Binder was one of three collegiate trainers selected by the NFL to attend the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

“I’m glad to have these honors, but what means the most to me is being in the Hall of Fame with the athletes,” Binder said. “To be in the Hall of Fame with people you care for – to me, that’s better than being in a hall of fame of athletic trainers.”

Beyond the athletes he cares for, Binder serves as a guide to the many athletic trainers working under him. Daniel Foo, a fourth-year student trainer, said Binder has stood as a leader and a kind helper.

“He’s been a good mentor and great at helping people out,” Foo said. “He sets a very good example for all of us.... He does a lot for people and doesn’t expect a lot in return.”

But in return for Binder’s hard work, he said his job keeps him young. He said he enjoys coming to work to be around young people every day. And when he can’t come to work every day, only then will he consider retirement.

“There will be a time when I can’t come to work every day, and I’ll know it’s time that someday else will do the job,” Binder said. “But right now, I don’t want anybody else to do it. I want to do it – I want David Binder to do the job.”

Written March 13, 2008

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