“Everyone that does athletics knows B. That’s what they call him. From the minute the doors to the training room open in the morning, that’s all you hear — can you help me B? Do this, do that for me B.”
This “B” is athletic trainer Brian Powelson, a modest man who single-handedly treats the injuries of athletes on campus.
His office is located in the Training Room of the Men’s Locker Room, where he is usually found taping and icing athletes, helping them stretch and “listening to all their whining,” Athletic Equipment Manager Benny Barnes said.
He describes Powelson’s position as that of an unsung hero.
It took the saving of a life to draw the rather thankless profession into the spotlight, but the past due respect and appreciation were finally given to Powelson and Los Medanos College athletic trainer Annie Martin last month when they were each awarded Athletic Trainer of the Year.
The two were honored at the Commission on Athletics/ California Community College Athletic Trainers’ Association (CCCATA) Spring Convention on April 1 in Ontario, Calif. for saving the life of Comet defensive back Wali Wright last September.
During the first play of the fall season opener, Wright, at the time playing free safety, landed on his back after a head-on collision with a Los Medanos College running back.
Powelson and Martin were the first two on the field. Wright was unconscious and unresponsive to either trainer as they called his name.
They checked his vitals and although he was not breathing, he did have a pulse. There was not a second of trepidation.
“Our field of work leaves no room for panic. We do our jobs very professionally,” Martin said.
Martin held Wright’s head while Powelson removed his facemask to open his airway, then the two stabilized his cervical spine and administered rescue breathing to keep him alive while awaiting the ambulance.
“Knowing the potential seriousness of the injury, we put our education into play and got (Wright) stabilized, which was most important,” Martin said.
Powelson summoned the emergency medical technicians to the field and briefed them on the situation at hand. He also provided them with medical and contact information for Wright.
He visited Wright many times to check up on him after the injury, during the time he was being treated at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
“The two trainers reacted quickly,” former football coach Dave Johnson said. “The first steps taken in a situation like that are usually the most imperative, and they followed every step they needed to keep Wali alive.”
Unanimous among colleagues, Powelson is said to have a very sturdy expertise and qualification for his field.
He and Martin have been colleagues for six years under the CCCATA.
“He’s a great and easy-going guy, but he also has a strong air of professionalism,” she said.
Johnson said Powelson takes care of business and takes his job very seriously.
“He is the most professional athletic trainer I have worked with,” Johnson said.
Barnes has worked with Powelson for 14 years and said they are a team that works hand-in-hand in the department.
“Where he goes, I go,” he said. “He does everything from taping up and preparing athletes for a game, to cutting the tape off after and babying their bruises.”
Athletic trainers treat sore muscles, broken bones and provide physical rehabilitation for athletes.
“When I hurt my ankle, he helped fix me up. He always helps whenever I’m hurt,” Comet offensive guard Juan Hernandez said.
Aside from treating athletes, Powelson also treats instructors, coaches and other faculty.
In order to attend the award ceremony, Powelson had to miss softball and baseball games that day, which upset him because he hates missing games, Barnes said. Taking responsibility for his absence, Powelson arranged for another trainer to fill his position while he received his honor.
“It feels great to be recognized for our work. It’s been very surreal,” Martin said. “We were just doing our job. Fortunately we did it well.”
Contact Cody McFarland at cmcfarland.advocate@gmail.com
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