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Red Sox Jim Rowe Speaks to KSC Athletic Training Students
There's no off-season in major league baseball. While Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is busy working the phones discussing possible trades and free agents, Jim Rowe, the team's Coordinator of Medical Operations and his staff, are closely monitoring the health of the players as they prepare for spring training.
Rowe recently took some time off from his medical duties to travel to Keene to speak with Keene State Athletic Training students. Rowe, who joined the Red Sox in 1995 as head athletic trainer, spoke to about 30 students in an informational session put on by the Keene State Athletic Training Society (KSATS).
Rowe touched on a variety of topics during his 90 minute talk, including how to get involved with athletic training at the professional level. He suggested that internship programs are a "foot in the door" for young professionals. "If you get in the door you have a chance... you need to have good grades and someone to push you to be the best. Above all you have to work hard and get better each day," said Rowe, who also recommended going to conferences and taking extra classes.
Rowe said a lot has changed since he got involved in the profession. "When I first began in athletic training the ideas of weightlifting and eating healthy were not major concerns," he said. "These days each player is subject to a vigorous workout routine and healthy food options even in the offseason."
When asked "Why baseball? "Instead of working in another sport, Rowe said growing up his catching skills left a lot to be desired. Since he was a lifelong Red Sox fan, Rowe, originally from Dover and now living in Newmarket, wanted to stay connected to the sport.
Rowe also gave the students his version of the Curt Schilling's infamous "bloody sock" saga and provided some insight into the daily routine of some Red Sox players. Rowe referred to everyday players like Dustin Pedroia, Jason Varitek, and Mike Lowell as true baseball battlers. "These guys are warriors that will do anything to consistently stay in the game," he said.
Christina Bourbeau, the president of KSATS and a member of the KSC track team, said the speech "provided great advice for future KSC athletic trainers. His stories were very interesting about each player and extremely knowledgeable."
Scot Ward, athletic trainer and instructor at Keene State, was impressed that a MLB athletic trainer would take time out of his schedule to talk with students. "Here's a guy that is on top of his profession as an athletic trainer working in major league baseball and he still gave his time and effort to speak with a school and group of students who are the future of the profession."
Rowe has been an athletic training professional for more than 22 years. Rowe's first internship was with the Milwaukee Brewers single A club in Beloit, WI. After graduating from Springfield College he began his second job in El Paso, TX as an athletic trainer with the Brewers double A team. From there he moved back to Beverly, MA and worked at the Beverly Sports Medicine Clinic for five years. In 1994 he joined the Boston Red Sox minor league affiliate, Pawtucket Red Sox, and in 1995 joined the Red Sox staff as the head athletic trainer before being elevated to his current position.
