Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Nov. 14, 1984, edition 1 / Page 8
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8/Wednesday, November 14,1984/THE BLUE BANNER Dr. John Wells 'plays at the office' By Joan Sterk Being responsible for the health and safety of 120 athletes is not for everyone. But for Dr, John Wells, UNCA’s new supervisor of sports medicine, it’s a great way to earn a living. Weils is the type of person who really enjoys his work. "I'm doing exactly what I want to do; I enjoy do ing it; and I'm getting paid for it," he said. His wife tells friends that her husband has not worked for years because "he just plays at the of fice." After working (playing) at Mars Hill College for six years as an Athletic Trainer, Wells came to UNCA to fill the vacancy of supervisor of sports medicine. He praised former UNCA trainer, Linda Murray for setting up the present fa cilities. In comparison to previ ous places of employment, UNCA "ranks far superior," he said. He also likes UNCA's expansion. "Working for a school that is growing allows sports medicine to grow with it," Wells said. Wells has been practic ing sports medicine for 34 years and has physical theraphy licenses for four states: North Carolina, Lousiana, Illinois and Indiana. Wells became interested in sports medicine by ac cident, literally. While playing football his freshman year in high school, Wells suffered a knee injury. He wanted to stay involved with the team so he asked his coach if he could be student manager. But the coach needed a trainer, so Wells e^^)loyed his Boy Scout experiences and took care of the in juries . He held the position throughout his four years of college, and earned a scholarship to study sports medicine at Butler University in Indianapo lis, Indiana. His job here at UNCA may not be enough work for Wells. He averaged 29 students an hour at Mars Hill, but now sees about 45 students a day. "We can treat more of the student body and fac ulty with no problem. A heavier work load would not be very taxing," he said. Wells has two student trainers, Nancy Young and Nathan Rickman helping him cover all the fall sports: soccer, volleyball, cross country, women and men's tennis, and women and men's basketball. The staff must be pre sent at all practices and games. Wells is grateful for Young and Rickman's help, but still feels they can handle more. Whenever Wells returns to his home town of Mars Hill, he proudly tells friends of his new posi tion at UNCA. "ify wife thinks I brag too much, but I say, if you've got it, flaunt it," he added. Wells said being able to tell his neighbors about UNCA is part of the enjoy ment he gets from his job. In addition to directing sports medicine at UNCA, Wells is the Abstract Edi tor for "The Journal of the National Athletic Trainer." He writes and edits articles for the journal, which has a cir culation of 10,000. He is also a member of several organizations which promote health and sports medicine. Next year he hopes to teach sports medicine classes. He proposed a plan that would entail 15 hours of classes to comp lement the established in ternship program for stu dents interested in sports medicine. Although sports medicine will probably never be of fered as a major at UNCA, Wells said the 15 hours of classes would almost guarantee jobs as high school trainers. "To work (as a trainer) for North Carolina high schools you also have to teach. So you should major in something else other that sports medicine," he said. "There are 135 vacancies in North Carolina for high school trainers. We really need to offer these clas ses," he added. Wells really enjoys what he does, even though he has a busy schedule. "The day I quit enjoying it is the day I quit," he said. TheNew Vision OF Ptiolograpliv Canon •Tv , Cl I ISO D Speedlite shown optK>nal IPROGRAMI. , TELE WIDE , 3 B , LCD display provides full Information readout w/50mm f1.8 Lens 95 IRIS Photographies Asheville’s Photographic Resource Center Staff photo by Sylvia Hawkins BEING SUPCRVIS(Mt. OF sports nedlcine is a great way to earn a living for UNCA's Dr. John Wells. His wife tells friends he "just plays at the office." men vs. Furman at UNCA. Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. UNCA men vs. Coastal Carolina at UNCA. Nov. li^, 7:30 p.m. UNCA men vs. Pembroke. Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m. UNCA vs. Winthrop; 8:30 p.m. UNC-Chapel Hill vs. Mara thon Oil at Asheville Ci vic Center. Sports trivia This Week ^Basketball Nov. lb U 17, 7 p.m. UNCA women in basketball tour nament at Tennessee Wes leyan. Nov. 19, 6 p.m. UNCA wo- 1.Who has scored the most touchdowns in a career? How many? 2.Who has the most touch down passes in a career? 3.Which quarterback has passed for the most yards in a single season? Answers oo page 5 15 W. Walnut Street • Asheville. NC « 9:30 to 5:30 M-F.. 10-1 Sat. 254-6103 PGPSl THECHOICeOF A NEW genswion:
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