Molly Woods, head athletic trainer at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), has an important job keeping the men’s basketball team healthy and prepared for the Norse’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. A No. 15 seed, NKU will face No. 2 Kentucky on Friday, March 17, in Indianapolis.
Woods sat down with Healthy Headlines to discuss her role as head athletic trainer, her experiences through transition and expansion, and what the Norse’s first appearance in March Madness means to her.
Healthy Headlines: How did your career in athletic training begin?
Woods: I went to Thomas More College for my undergraduate degree in sports medicine. There, I was exposed to hands-on training through St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s network of resources. I served as an athletic trainer at Highlands and Scott high schools in Northern Kentucky for three years, and began my career at NKU as a graduate assistant in 2001.
Healthy Headlines: How much has your role changed throughout the past 16 seasons at NKU?
Woods: The medical side never changes. A grade-II ankle sprain in Division I is the same as it is in Division II. Student-athletes will always be dealing with common injuries that come along with the game, but the game changes a bit when the stakes are higher, and it becomes more of a business through entertainment value and exposure to the next level. An increasing premium is put on timelines to get our student-athletes back on the court.
Healthy Headlines: How does your role evolve from off-season training to in-season play?
Woods: Aside from a few weeks off in the spring after conference and national tournaments, and the start of the fall semester, it feels like we’re going year-round. Summer and early season workouts are heavy on strength and conditioning, and getting freshmen allocated to their new regiment. In-season, working 60 to 70 hours a week isn’t out of the ordinary. The recent tournament stretch hasn’t been any easier, but it’s all worth it.
Healthy Headlines: What’s the number one focus been this year in terms of student-athletes’ health?
Woods: Recovery. Working with Dr. James Bilbo, head team physician, and strength and conditioning coach Brian Boos, we’ve incorporated new techniques and technology, like NormaTec PULSE Recovery Systems and Polar heart monitors, to expand our knowledge. Our goal each year is to help our student-athletes track progress, push their limits and recover faster so they can perform at peak ability the next time they hit the court.
Healthy Headlines: What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve faced this year in terms of the health of your student-athletes?
Woods: We lost freshman Jalen Tate to an injury early in the year (hand). Other than that, it’s been your typical season. The flu ran through the team for a couple weeks, but we controlled it and got everyone back to 100 percent. We always put an emphasis on injury prevention through proper stretching and warmup routines. We’re ready to roll.
Healthy Headlines: You grew up in Northern Kentucky (Notre Dame High School) and have degrees from three area colleges and universities (Thomas More College, University of Cincinnati and NKU). Does the early match-up with Kentucky mean more due to the local connections?
Woods: I’m a proud member of the NKY community. In all honesty, though, I’ve never “bled blue.” But I truly carry the #NorseUp flag proudly. I can’t wait to get to Indy and take it all in.
Healthy Headlines: You’ve been with this program for a long time. What makes this season so special?
Woods: Each of the past 16 seasons have been special. I’ve had the pleasure to work with great head coaches (Ken Shields, Dave Bezold and John Brannen) and great players. This year is special for many reasons, but one stands out: I’ve been blessed to share it all with my 14-year-old son, Tyler. NKU won its first Horizon League tournament championship (59-53 vs. Milwaukee) on his birthday ““ he was in Detroit with me. I told the guys prior to the game they had to help with the “big present” and they came through. Tyler was also able to join me on Selection Sunday with the team as we found out who we’d play in our first trip to the NCAA Tournament. The guys have taken him in as one of their own. It’s been a great ride and I’m glad I’ve gotten to share each moment with him.
Healthy Headlines: What should we expect from NKU in its first NCAA Tournament appearance?
Woods: You’re going to see a lot of passion and pride on that court. Our guys have worked so hard to get here. They’re healthy, they’re ready and they want to show the country what it means to be a Norse. While they may be happy to be there on the big stage, they’re not going to be satisfied with just showing up. They want to win.
Woods has been NKU’s head athletic trainer since 2005 and is currently a preceptor and clinical supervisor in NKU’s Athletic Training Education Program. For more information about Woods and NKU athletics, visit nkunorse.com.
Since 1988, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Sports Medicine has been serving the needs of the Northern Kentucky athletic community, including affiliations with Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More College, 22 Northern Kentucky high schools, nine Northern Kentucky middle schools and four area club sports programs. St. Elizabeth partners with OrthoCincy to provide medical services to the more than 250 student-athletes who compete for the Norse.
