Tourtelotte wins Gatorade Secondary School Athletic Trainer Award

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Each year, Gatorade and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) honor one athletic trainer from each NATA district with Athletic Trainer of the Year recognition. This year, the New England District selected Foxcroft Academy’s Jackie Tourtelotte for the 2015 Gatorade Secondary School Athletic Trainer Award.

Photo courtesy of Foxcroft Academy

ATHLETIC TRAINER OF THE YEAR — Foxcroft Academy’s Jackie Tourtelotte has been selected as the recipient of the 2015 Gatorade Secondary School Athletic Trainer Award for her National Athletic Trainers’ Association district. Tourtelotte, known as “Ms. T” in the Pony community, came to Foxcroft Academy in the fall of 2011 and has established the school’s first athletic training program and has since taken on the role of assistant athletic director. 

The award, given to just 10 athletic trainers nationally each year, recognizes Tourtelotte (known as “Ms. T” to most) for her “outstanding contributions in furthering her high school’s athletic care program” and “the overall profession of secondary school athletic training.”

Tourtelotte, who joined Foxcroft Academy in the fall of 2011, established the school’s first athletic training program and has since taken on the role of assistant athletic director. She is a graduate of the University of Maine with degrees in kinesiology and physical education, and she previously taught health and physical education and was an athletic trainer at Orono High School for six years.

Since her arrival, Tourtelotte has implemented concussion protocols, instructed coaches in injury prevention and has coached teams in proper warmup and cooldown routines — making an immediate and positive impact on Foxcroft Academy’s sports and athletes.

“In one word, she’s committed,” said Avery Carroll, a member of the field hockey, swimming and softball teams. “She taped my ankle every day during field hockey season. When she heard I twisted my ankle on the trails behind school, she immediately jumped on the golf cart and drove the trail looking for me.”

Almost every athlete at Foxcroft Academy has a similar story. “In one word, she’s intense,” said Hunter Smith, a football, basketball and track athlete. “When I get calf cramps in a game and I’m yelling like I broke my leg, she just grabs my foot and starts twisting it around — loosening it up.”

“She’s honest — brutally honest,” added Jason Thompson, a member of the football, swimming and baseball teams. “When she has bad news, she doesn’t beat around the bush, which is good. She’s also always there when the season starts to get rough. She’s there to help you recover.”

“She’s very helpful,” shared Brandon Brock, a football player, wrestler and track athlete, who has received care from Tourtelotte for a broken leg and nagging injuries like shin splints. “She’s helped my brother with a broken hand. She’s helped lots of people.”

Before, during, and after every practice and game, Tourtelotte cares for athletes with, in their words, commitment, intensity, honesty and helpfulness.

“She is truly an outstanding professional,” added Head of School Arnold Shorey. “Foxcroft Academy is very fortunate to have a certified athletic trainer of the caliber of Ms. Tourtelotte.”

Whether it is the track, pitch, gridiron, diamond, hardwood, mat, pool deck or court, one can count on Tourtelotte to be there. Always dedicated, always professional and always ready to help.