Casey Robertson, the man, the myth, the legend. From broken bones to the concussion protocol, Casey has provided his services as an athletic trainer to the high school for the past couple of years.

“I became an athletic trainer because I have played sports all my life, and this was a great way to start involved, just in a different role. I have been a certified athletic trainer for fifteen years now,” Robertson said.

However, he originally did not start off working at the high school when he moved to Rolla.

“I actually came to Rolla to be an athletic trainer at the university and then started later at the high school. I enjoy working more with high schoolers because they are mostly here for the love of the game,” Robertson said.

While being a athletic trainer has its good moments, it is not always sunshine and rainbows in the world of sports medicine.

“The worst injury I’ve ever dealt with was a C4-C5 cervical fracture. The kid is paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. However, this hasn’t slowed him down and I love keeping up on him,” Robertson said.

While there are plenty of horrific injuries, a C4-C5 cervical fracture is when the vertebrae in your spine get fractures leading to paralyzation. Adding onto that, it is always hard breaking hard news to a aspiring young athlete.

“I think the hardest part of the job is telling a kid the severity of the injury. It is really difficult telling a kid his season has ended,” Robertson said.

However, through thick and than, Casey still sees himself continue working with the High School for quite a long time.

“I can see myself doing this for a long time, especially if my kids participate in high school athletics as well,” Robertson said.