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It’s been a busy year for Quentin Cave between completing his Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree last October and moving to Nevada for the 2024-25 school year.

Cave graduated from Southwestern Michigan College in 2016 after serving as a Resident Assistant (RA) in William M. White Hall.

“I actually just started a new job with Dignity Physical Therapy in Las Vegas, where I am the athletic trainer for Las Vegas High School,” Cave said in late July, when he turned 34. “It’s the very first high school to open in the city of Las Vegas way back in 1905.”

The Wildcats’ school colors are red and black. Clark County School District contains 73 high schools.

Cave said relocating developed after he finished his doctorate and wanted “to find an organization that provided me with growth opportunities. Making such a big move was terrifying, but I’ve been here since July 15 and it’s getting better every day.”

Last school year, at Goshen Orthopedics, Cave provided athletic training services for student athletes in grades 7-12 for the Fairfield Junior/Senior High School Falcons in Goshen.

Cave, whose office is at Las Vegas High School, is licensed in Nevada, and in Indiana until Jan. 1, 2025.

“Forty-nine out of the 50 states require state licensure to practice as an athletic trainer,” Cave said. “California hasn’t quite gotten on the wagon yet.”

The other credentials behind Cave’s name, LAT and ATC, represent Licensed Athletic Trainer and Certified Athletic Trainer.

“I chose SMC after several failed attempts at college right after graduating (Elkhart Memorial High School) in 2009,” Cave said. “I don’t know what it was exactly, but when I came out to the school for a tour, I felt that it was going to be a good fit for me. I tried several schools prior to landing at SMC.”

Cave had a similar experience seeking his bachelor’s degree at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

“I went down there, spoke with the athletic training program director and took a tour. I felt the same things I did about SMC. It just felt right.”

Cave played soccer and basketball as a high school athlete. Frequent injuries exposed him to athletic training.

“I spent a lot of time with my high school athletic trainer with my array of injuries. I knew I wanted to help people, but I wasn’t sure which route to go,” he said. “Now, I get to take care of people and watch sports as a career! How crazy is that?”

“My favorite part of the job,” Cave said, “is getting to know the athletes under my care. I get to support them through some of their toughest times and watch their triumphs after they return after an injury.”

He describes what an athletic trainer is this way:

“Athletic trainers are the most versatile medical professionals out there. We are capable of diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating orthopedic injuries and conditions. You’ll find us in the traditional athletics settings (high school, college, professional), but what a lot of people don’t know is that you’ll find us in the industrial, performing arts, clinical, surgical, military and public safety settings. We work closely with orthopedic physicians and physical  and occupational therapists.

“What we’re capable of is often overshadowed by our title. We get confused for personal trainers or strength and conditioning coaches all the time. Those of us who stay in this profession forever are people who are passionate about making a difference in our patients’ lives and continuously fighting to make our profession better for the next generations.”

As for what a typical day is like, “No two days are the same,” Cave said. “Depending on what’s going on, I could be running around like a chicken with my head cut off or I might actually have time to sit and finish my paperwork in one sitting for a change. I spend most of my time between games and practices doing paperwork or setting up for the next thing.”

“I do like working with high school athletes,” he said. “Yes, there are always going to be those kids who drive you crazy, but for the most part getting to watch these kids grow into adults is pretty fantastic.”

Cave said “there’s a lot to do over the summer. With this new job, I could be working alongside my PT counterparts, covering summer workouts at the school and even covering special events and tournaments going on in and around the city.”

“I discovered who I was at SMC,” Cave reflects. “I met great people whom I wish I was still as close with. I think my favorite memories surround helping backstage on SMC’s productions of ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Oklahoma.’ ”