On Thursday evening, Fayette County Memorial Hospital held a preseason pep rally for both Miami Trace Local Schools’ and Washington Court House City Schools’ athletics.
The evening began at 5:30 with a tailgate dinner provided by the hospital and entertainment provided by the Buckeye Brass Band.
The guests were introduced to several members of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s sports medicine team. Before the featured speaker came up to the podium, the local student-athletes were informed of important tips about staying hydrated during practices and games.
Chelsie Hornsby, director of Marketing and Foundation. introduced both coaches as fight songs were played.
The featured speaker of the evening was Ryan Miller, former Buckeye linebacker.
“Ryan Miller has given the Ohio State Buckeyes a lot to be proud of, off and on the field,” Hornsby said. “Ryan received his bachelor’s in economics, and also his MBA from the Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business. He won two Emmy Awards during his sports broadcasting time. Inspired by volunteer work as a student athlete, Miller and two former classmates started the Second in Seven Foundation to promote children’s literacy.”
“I suffered an injury going into my junior year….that was a big year for me, I was slated to be a starting linebacker for Ohio State,” Miller said. “Those of you that follow college football know that getting the opportunity to start at linebacker for Ohio State is a dream come true to any kid growing up in the Midwest. I had surgery, and there was a potential there that I would not be able to fulfill my dream at Ohio State. It was the athletic trainers and the sports medicine team that helped keep me on track and set little goals for me to get back on the football team.
“I don’t know if I ever thanked them enough,” Miller said. “I know when you’re a kid in college you just listen to the doctors or the coaches or the trainers and just hope it’s in your best interest. These trainers and sports medicine staff are out there doing things in your best interest. There are going to be times when you think you’re just not at 100 percent, but it’s the trainers and the sports med staff that keep you going. Through the years I’ve kept close to a lot of the trainers and sports med guys, but the reality is that when I was getting sore or sick of training in anything I’ve done lately, I just had to contact these guys.”
FCMH currently has an affiliation with the OSU Wexner Center. Access to specialized physicians such as these athletic trainers and the sports medicine team is one of the main reasons the partnership was made.
“You’ve got the greatest staff in the world right here at your disposal,” Miller told the football teams. “I can’t tell you who is going to win, but I can tell you that if you listen to your coaches and these guys, you’re going to have a healthy and safe game. The lessons I learned from these guys have kept me going through my life and I’m telling you guys, you’re not going to be disappointed in the care that you are going to get. I’m looking forward to you guys all having a great season. I can check up on you now, it’s easier than when I was in school. I can just YouTube you, so have a great season, stay safe, and go Bucks!”
