The Steady Hand Behind NAU Athletics: Head Trainer Ms. Kim Wright
Part One of a Two-Part Feature on NAU Sports Medicine
Written by Rev. Justin C. Jackson
Stafford, TX - When fans think of North American University Athletics, the roar of the crowd and the grind of competition come to mind. But behind every athlete's success is someone ensuring they're healthy, prepared, and supported. At NAU, that someone is
Ms. Kim Wright, the department's head athletic trainer.
Wright has long been more than just a trainer—she's been a counselor, a mentor, and sometimes even a second mom to athletes and coaches alike. Her passion for sports medicine was born years ago, when injuries sidelined her as a high school athlete. Inspired by the care she received, she dedicated her life to helping athletes not just heal, but thrive.
In our recent conversation, she shared what continues to drive her at NAU:
Q: What inspired you to become an athletic trainer, and what motivates you most in your role at NAU?
A: I was an athlete from a young age and always interested in medicine. When I was in high school, I injured my ankle and then my knee and I was inspired by my athletic trainer and later a physical therapist to pursue the careers. I loved that there was such a career that would allow me to work with athletes daily to help them not only heal injuries but to optimize their athletic performance.
Q: How do you balance the physical care of athletes with educating them about nutrition and overall wellness?
A: The time I get to spend with them while dealing with their injury allows me to find out where they are with health and wellness routines. Nutrition can be a real challenge for many of our athletes on limited budgets. So I try to take the time during treatments to educate them in nutrition options, sleep importance and recovery. I try to connect all of the areas together for healing and injury prevention.
Q: What has been one of your most memorable moments helping an athlete or team succeed?
A: I had a senior receiver who had a bad injury to his collar bone ligament and he was determined to play and not miss a game. I had to quickly figure out a brace combined with taping that could help him with the pain. He taught me what he needed to play and I responded with a solution. I found something we had in the closet and made it work and he played every game the rest of the season and went on to play in arena league football. I still see him from time to time when he has an injury he wants me to see. Developing that kind of ongoing relationship with an athlete is special.
Q: How do you support coaches and staff in addition to athletes, and why is that important to the program?
A: Coaches and sports medicine staff must work together to ensure the health of the athletes. I respect their role in supporting their athlete's physical and mental well-being throughout the long seasons… The coaches at NAU are receptive to and respectful to what the sports medicine team has to offer and work together with us to get an athlete over an injury and back to sports. It's a great collaborative effort.
Q: What trends or changes in sports health and wellness are you most excited about?
A: I think the latest trends are in injury prevention with sport-specific training techniques. Social media is making these programs easily accessible to anyone… Another trend is in sports-specific biomechanics which allows for improved sports performance. Again, social media makes these training videos accessible to all levels of athletes.
But Wright is quick to point out that her role isn't just about tape and treatment—it's about building the foundation of NAU's athletic future. That future now includes welcoming Dr. Erin Hassler ("Doc"), whose arrival she helped make possible.
"I am excited about the new addition of our head athletic trainer, Erin Hassler," Wright added. "Her academic background with a doctorate in athletic training and her vast background in collegiate and high school athletic injuries and rehabilitation will help guide our sports medicine program into the next level of high-quality injury prevention, treatment and recovery with the athlete's health and wellness as the top priority."
Her partnership with former colleague Coach Erik Thomson was key in paving the way for Dr. Hassler's arrival—a move that will strengthen the entire department and give NAU athletes even greater support.
Up Next in Part Two: Meet Dr. Erin Hassler, the new head athletic trainer whose expertise and vision will help elevate NAU Sports Medicine to the next level.
