KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Chad Newman has been the athletic trainer for Tennessee Basketball for nearly 30 years. While he’s been the star of the training room, there are role players who play a vital part behind the scenes.
As the cooler is filling up, Delaney Klee’s day is just starting.Klee is a student assistant to the athletic trainer for the men’s basketball team.
“I work a lot with rehab and help with first response of injuries or if something happens. And then another main part of the job is during practice handing out waters,” Klee explained. “Just sort of an extra set of eyes on the court along with Chad.”
Her vision for athletic training began well before she started the internship more than two years ago.
“When I was in seventh grade, I got plantar fasciitis,” said Klee. “That’s the pulling of the tendon on the bottom of your foot. I was out of cross country from the summer all the way through cross country season.”
An injury to Klee’s foot in middle school helped her take a step toward her career path.
“I mean, honestly, for me the hardest thing is moving heavy things around,” said Klee.“I was able to work with athletic trainers, and I was really interested in their role in the athletes’ world, so when I came to Tennessee, I knew I wanted to be an athletic trainer,” explained Klee.
Klee took a shot in the field she had dreamed of working in. Just like in the sport she helps, sometimes the game plan changes.
“I am kind of pumping the brakes on athletic training school because it is two more years from a master’s program in order to be an athletic trainer, so I’m actually looking into getting my teaching certificate and teaching anatomy or kinesiology in a high school setting,” said Klee.Despite pivoting career paths, the knowledge she has gained from working under Newman will still be passed on.
“That’s really what you want to do,” said Newman. “You want to be an influence in a good way. I want kids to text me and call back.”
Just like when one cooler is full, Klee begins to pour into another. Now, she is ready to help fill the next generation with the knowledge she learned under Newman.
