AT SPOTLIGHT
Heath Forge
Written/Submitted by: Gaby Lampley
Years Certified: 6 years
Current Position: Oakland High School
Why Athletic Training: Heath always had a passion for sports, but when he was younger, was not always able to participate due to injury. He wanted to still be involved in sports, and through his personal experience with his high school athletic trainer, found a way to make that possible.
Words of Wisdom: “The profession is a grind. I’ve worked at the NFL, NCAA, and now high school level and no matter what level you are at, the hours are going to be challenging. Keep chipping away at your goals. Make as many connections as possible. Go above and beyond the duties and you will go as far as you want in this profession.”
Favorite Aspect of Athletic Training: “The relationships that athletic trainers build with the student athletes. Athletes, especially high school athletes, look up to the athletic trainer, not only as a healthcare professional, but often a role model as well.”
Education: BS, Athletic Training from Middle Tennessee State University, MEd from the University of Arkansas
Mentors: Robbie Stewart; “He taught me most of what I know as an athletic trainer, but he also taught me valuable lessons about life in general.” Heath says Robbie was his “AT dad”.
Journey to Becoming an Athletic Trainer
Heath found athletic training in high school. He has always had a passion for sports, but wasn’t always able to participate in them due to injury. Both his junior and senior year of high school, Heath experienced injury that ended the season for him. During that time, his high school’s head athletic trainer, Penny Head, made him fall in love with the process of getting an athlete back to 100% after sustaining an injury. At that time, Heath says he figured that if he couldn’t be on the field as an athlete, then he would like to be involved as an athletic trainer.
Most Memorable Moments
Heath recalls so many memorable moments as an athletic trainer that he couldn’t choose just one! He says that winning the 2018 Football State Championship this past year was a great experience. He says, “just to see the look of pure joy on the athletes’ faces knowing what they had overcome throughout the year - with some tragedy earlier in the year - and injuries they battled was awesome to see”.
While a graduate assistant with Arkansas football, some of the guys on the team threw him a surprise going away party and about 15-20 guys on the team showed up to thank him for everything he had done the past two years. That was something he remembers as very special. He felt that athletic trainers may not always get the credit or glory that comes with working in sports, but the athletes appreciate athletic trainers and at the end of the day that is all that matters. He is still in contact with most of those athletes today.
Life Outside of Athletic Training
Heath is one of the Health Science Instructors at Oakland High School. He has been a Health Science teacher for the past three years and teaches Health Science Education, Rehabilitation Careers, and Exercise Science. Heath is one of the advisors of the Career and Technical Student Organization HOSA Future Health Professionals at Oakland. He assists students who wish to enter the healthcare field by preparing them to compete against other students in regional, state, and national competitions.
When asked how he spends his “days off”, Heath says he spends most of his time running errands that people with normal job hours can do on a daily basis like go to the grocery store, fix things around the house, catch up on sleep, and watch TV shows with his wife.
When Heath isn’t at Oakland he enjoys playing golf on the weekends, going to the lake in his boat with friends, and attending NASCAR races whenever possible.
Impact on the Community
“Heath Forge is an invaluable asset to the Oakland high School Health Science Program of Study. He came into a non-existent Sports and Human Performance Pathway and created one; while also working with the students in class and athletes on the field in a positive and engaging manner.”
“Heath is often the first to arrive and the last to leave. He is a true professional that has never complained about his job or his hours. Heath is also on the cutting-edge of new techniques and technology involving the athletic training world. ”
“Heath Forge has served as a preceptor for MTSU athletic training students for the past 3 years. During his time, he has willingly shared the experiences he has had with profession, collegiate, and high school sports. He has served as a positive role model who encourages students to be assertive and critically think through their interactions with student athletes. He relates well to both his student athletes and athletic training students providing an enjoyable environment and one that is welcoming to those students seeking assistance through an injury. Heath appears to be well liked by coaches, parents, and administrators with whom he works, fosters educational opportunities for his athletic training students, and provides countless hours of service to the Oakland Patriots. ”