By Jules Moskowitz ’17
Trainers John and Kevin tirelessly attend to student-athletes behind the scenes. They are nothing less than the backbone of our athletic program. John Mascola and Kevin Gramata are a tremendous help to high school and middle school student athletes. The two trainers work hard to ensure that athletes of all levels are getting healthy and back on the field after any injury, big or small.
Trainer Kevin and trainer John help athletes heal and return to play.
Trainer John (TJ) has worked in West Essex for 16 years. Prior to becoming a trainer, he graduated from Rutgers University in 1995, majoring in Biology.
“Originally, I wanted to be a sports physician, but when I became a student trainer, I enjoyed it, so I stuck with it,” TJ said. Being an athletic trainer exposes TJ to different, challenging situations everyday, “no two days are the same,” TJ said. For TJ, the toughest part about his job is having to help athletes in high pressure situations.
“I really trusted TJ and TK to help me recover.” junior Vin Salvatoriello said. He dislocated his shoulder while playing football in August. He was desperate to get back to playing.
“TJ diagnosed it on the field,” Salvatoriello said. “His rehab helped me get back on the field quicker than I thought.”
Kevin became the school’s second athletic trainer in 2014. He graduated from Montclair State, majoring in athletic training. As an athlete himself, Trainer Kevin (TK) knew he wanted to become a trainer after suffering from injuries as a student-athlete.
“I used to do a lot of rehab with my dad who was a physical therapist. His help influenced me to get involved in sports medicine,” said TK. His job gives him the satisfaction of knowing that he’s helped injured athletes strive once they are able to return to play. On the contrary, TK says that the toughest part about being a trainer is telling an athlete that they aren’t able to play due to their injury.
“Since my freshman year, I’ve depended on the trainers; fully trusting them to get me back on the football field,” senior captain of the football team Brian O’Neill said.
“The coaches are so grateful for how quickly the trainers get athletes back on the field,” junior Julia Russo said.
“I think they do an outstanding job of helping the hurt players recuperate from their injuries, on behalf of the coaching staff, we appreciate their dedication to the student athletes,” Coach Glenn said.
Behind the scenes, TJ and TK ensure that every kid is able to healthily play any particular sport. “When I had shin splints, I knew I could count on the trainers to ease the pain and help me recover,” freshman Vito Benevenga said.
Thanks to their endless hours including during school, after school until practice is over and various hours throughout the weekend, injured athletes return to their healthy selves.
Even when the trainers room is filled with two hurt volleyball players, one nose-bleed, three concussions and 10 wrists to get taped, trainers John and Kevin make sure to give everyone their undivided attention and help them until they are healed.
