Cooper Sax

MS, LAT, ATC The University of Kansas Health System and Olathe South High School | Pittsburg State University 2019 | Kansas State University 2017

[AD Miller @ADMillerOS]

The true hero of OS Athletics! Happy admin assistant day to Mrs. Gonzales! She keeps our athletic department running and has the biggest heart for all our students! Join me in thanking Mrs. Gonzales!!

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@MsErinATC Give it one good summer season and it will be on its way!

[KU Sports Medicine @KUSportsMed]

The University of Kansas Health System provides athletic trainers to more than 60 high schools and middle schools in the Kansas City area in the Blue Valley, De Soto, Gardner, Liberty, Lansing, North Kansas City, Olathe, Osawatomie, Park Hill, Paola, Platte County, Prairie View, Shawnee Mission, Spring Hill, Wellsville and West Platte school districts. https://t.co/pvBLyRugZC #NATM2025

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@arie_m_31 Hey thanks!

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@OSXCFalcons Congrats Dylan! Great job!

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@OSBaseballBC Proud of you guys! It’s been an honor being your AT. Congrats on WINNING STATE! Came up big when it counted! @ADMillerOS

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@MsErinATC GO TEAM!

[Olathe Public Schools @olatheschools]

In case you didn’t know, March is National Athletic Training Month! We are so lucky to have some of the best in the business on our team. Shout out to Erin Washington (Olathe East), Wayne Harmon (Olathe North), Steve Hawkins (Olathe Northwest), Cooper Sax (Olathe South), Arianna Meikel (Olathe West) and Kansas State intern Lauren Wilson (Olathe North) for taking great care of our students!

The importance of athletic trainers in schools cannot be overstated. Our team, contracted by the University of Kansas Health System, plays multifaceted roles that include injury prevention, immediate care, health education and rehabilitation for hundreds of student-athletes at each of our high schools.

“We are literally, in most instances, the first responder at school and athletic events,” Hawkins said. “We will immediately see an athletic injury before emergency services get here, if that’s needed. When it comes to injuries, we see a little bit of everything.”

In most instances, our trainers can complete rehab sessions for students at school. In these cases, students can stay in school to get the treatment they need, and parents don’t have to worry about taking off work to get to a physical therapy clinic. In other cases, our trainers can help assist students in their treatment plans developed by their doctors. For instance, Hawkins had one student who broke his leg and had to get two rods put in, and within just six months the student was running full speed and on full release.

“I told him that there's going to be days when you make good progress and there's going to be days where you plateaued off and it may take you a while, but we will get there,” Hawkins said. “That was one of the most fun rehabs that I've done because he ultimately recovered, and we became good friends during his treatments. He graduates this year and I know we are all going to miss him.”

Building strong bonds with students isn’t unusual for our athletic trainers. Many students approach the training room and have an athletic treatment daily to stay healthy during the season. It’s our trainer’s job to not just provide the necessary care as a part of their plan, but to provide guidance in our students’ everyday lives.

“So much of being an athletic trainer is being knowledgeable of the treatment and being approachable,” Sax said. “You can be someone who these 14- to 18-year-olds see as not a coach, not a parent, not a teacher, but as another adult helping prepare them for success. You can work with them directly on their injury while also giving life advice, if needed.”

Harmon gets a helping hand from the Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Academy, who receive real-world experience daily. This spring, he has 20 students who have volunteered to work at sporting events. Students can handle more of the basics, including ice bags and taping, while communicating with Harmon whenever they need his help. These students are also certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and trained in basic first aid.

“We've created opportunities for kids to take what they learned in the classroom and put it into function, which is a good way for the hands-on learner to learn and be interested in what we do,” Harmon said. “I tell all the kids that go through the academy that I didn’t have the education or opportunities that they have now. Our profession has become a highly educated and highly respected profession over time. We are fortunate to have a program like this in Olathe!”

#OPSForwardTogether

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@osffbc Definitely a knee slapper! Thank you for making the greatest job in the world a little bit better!

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@OlatheSportsMed @Olathe21st @JasonHermanON @ADPriceON @JNoteboomON Great kids, great instructors!

[21stSportsMedAcademy @OlatheSportsMed]

@Olathe21st @olatheschools @ADPriceON @JasonHermanON congrats to the newest KATS Hall of Fame Recipient Wayne Harmon ATC,L. What an honor and thank you for all your service to athletes and coaches.

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@osffbc @RonLitchfield Always remember, hydration is key to great athletic performance!

[Pitt State Football @GorillasFB]

Happy Birthday to Head Athletic Trainer Kevin Kalm!

#PittState #AllForward

[Rick Burkholder @proatc]

To all high school and college athletes this is 1 hour before practice, voluntary and self initiated. Take care of your bodies for success. #ATTwitter #SB57WC

[810 Varsity @810varsity]

Season football preview: Olathe South

@osffbc @RonLitchfield @NoernbergBryce @JaydenBerry06 @OlatheSouthHS

https://t.co/Am42ShRyOi

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@OlatheSportsMed @OPSF233 @Olathe21st @OlatheCTE Love to see it!

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@mkhalliday7 @RaeganHalliday @NMStateWBB Hope for a speedy recovery Raegan! Minor set back for a major comeback! You got this kid!

[Cooper Sax @CSax13]

@MsErinATC @OlatheHealth @olatheschools @ATCjamieb @MichelleSugi1 Couldn’t imagine working with a better bunch of ATs!

[Matt Johnson @MCJohnson1970]

This is National Athletic Training Month. In @olatheschools we have the absolute best humans caring for our student athletes! Thanks Erin, Michelle, Cooper, Wayne and Steve! We appreciate you! @MsErinATC @CSax13 @ravenatc

[K-State Men's Basketball @KStateMBB]

Happy birthday to our trainer Luke Sauber! We love and appreciate you for everything you do! 🥳

#KStateMBB x EMAW