Aiken County, September 3, 2025
News Summary
The Aiken County School District has approved the hiring of full-time athletic trainers at selected high schools, significantly enhancing athlete safety and health. This decision addresses longstanding concerns over the absence of dedicated trainers and aims to ensure consistent medical support for student athletes throughout the week. The district plans to employ trainers at four high schools this season, with intentions to expand the program in future years.
Aiken County School District Approves Full-Time Athletic Trainers for Selected High Schools
The Aiken County School District has made significant strides in enhancing student athlete safety by approving the hiring of full-time athletic trainers for four high schools starting this football season. This decision marks a pivotal change in the district’s approach to athlete health, addressing long-standing concerns over the lack of permanent trainers in one of South Carolina’s largest school districts.
For many years, Aiken County’s athletic programs operated without full-time support. Previously, the district contracted trainers solely for Friday night games, leaving a gap in professional medical assistance throughout the week, specifically from Monday to Thursday. The newly established full-time positions will be available at Midland Valley, North Augusta, Ridge Spring-Monetta, and South Aiken High Schools, ensuring comprehensive care for athletes participating in various sports.
The Aiken County School Board has also taken steps to convert contracted positions into full-time roles for Aiken, Wagener-Salley, and Silver Bluff High Schools. This change is designed to attract qualified athletic trainers by offering employee benefits and a competitive salary. The district has allocated nearly $300,000 to employ three full-time trainers designated for these schools. It is crucial for these trainers to build strong relationships with both students and coaches, fostering a safe athletic environment.
During the last football season, Aiken High School had to rely on an EMT to ensure player safety due to the absence of a qualified trainer. Meanwhile, Silver Bluff High School’s coaching staff managed medical responsibilities without an on-site trainer, emphasizing the urgent need for dedicated professionals in the field. In light of these challenges, local medical professionals have been vocal advocates for hiring athletic trainers, underscoring the critical importance of player health and safety as paramount concerns for the district.
Currently, Aiken, Wagener-Salley, and Silver Bluff High Schools still face vacancies for athletic trainers, which the district hopes to fill in the near future. The existing budget includes $80,000 per school to contract athletic trainer services, but the transition to full-time positions will require a budget of approximately $100,000 each. This investment is viewed as essential to increase student athlete safety and overall well-being.
The district is actively seeking qualified candidates for these full-time positions and anticipates filling the roles by the end of the football season. Furthermore, the school district plans to expand the hiring of full-time athletic trainers to additional high schools starting in the 2026-27 school year, reflecting a commitment to progressively enhancing support for student athletes across Aiken County.
Background Context
For years, Aiken County has lacked sufficient sports medical personnel, raising concerns among parents, coaches, and local health professionals. With the recent construction of new artificial turf fields at Aiken and Silver Bluff High Schools, the urgency for properly trained staff has increased. This move to appoint full-time trainers is part of a broader strategy to ensure that all athletes have access to adequate medical and preventive care, a necessity especially important in high-contact sports. Stakeholders feel that the presence of dedicated athletic trainers will be instrumental in reducing injuries and promoting overall health for student athletes in the district.
FAQ
What are the new changes regarding athletic trainers in Aiken County?
The Aiken County School District has approved the hiring of full-time athletic trainers for Midland Valley, North Augusta, Ridge Spring-Monetta, and South Aiken High Schools, starting this football season.
How will this decision impact student athletes?
This decision aims to increase the safety and wellness of student athletes by providing them with consistent access to professional medical care throughout the week, rather than just during games.
When will these new positions be filled?
The school district is actively seeking qualified candidates for the full-time positions and hopes to have them filled by the end of the current football season.
Key Features of the Athletic Trainer Program
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Position Type | Full-time athletic trainers |
| Schools Included | Midland Valley, North Augusta, Ridge Spring-Monetta, South Aiken, Aiken, Wagener-Salley, Silver Bluff |
| Budget for Trainers | Approximately $300,000 allocated for three trainers |
| Expected Benefits | Increased student athlete safety and well-being |
| Future Plans | Hiring additional trainers in more high schools starting in 2026-27 school year |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Aiken high school football schedule: 2025 start times, parking & pickup tips
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Aiken high school football schedule: 2025 live updates, cancellations & reschedules
Polo events Aiken: How to Stay Involved Year-Round
Aiken high school football schedule: Varsity & JV 2025
Aiken high school football schedule: Homecoming, Senior Night & Weeknight Games
Additional Resources
- WJBF: Aiken Co High Schools Set to Have Full-Time Athletic Trainers
- Wikipedia: Athletic Trainer
- WRDW: Aiken County Schools Look to Add Athletic Trainers
- Google Search: Athletic Trainers in High Schools
- Post and Courier: Aiken Community Talks Athletic Trainer Shortage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletic Training
- The National Desk: Students at Risk Without Athletic Trainers
- Google News: Athletic Trainer Shortage 2023
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
