Lauren Frick
CU Lacrosse: 2013-14
Current City, State: Charleston, S.C.
Major at Campbell: Athletic Training
Current Employer: Porter Gaud School
Current Job Title: Head Athletic Trainer
What does Campbell lacrosse mean to you?
Campbell Lacrosse is the link that made my collegiate experience whole. It provided me opportunities to excel in a non-familiar comfort zone, tested my mental and physical strength while also providing me resources for support in these areas.
Describe Campbell lacrosse in three words.
Battle, Mentality, Value
How did your time as a student-athlete at Campbell prepare you for your career and life after college?
Well, unfortunately, I spent a lot of time in the Athletic Training room, and now, I spend every day in my AT room! More importantly, it instilled values of leadership and confidence while teaching adaptation, strategic thinking and planning to overcome challenges and new norms, and provided a foundation backed by resources to provide support through academics, athletics, physical health, mental wellness and guidance through life after college.
Describe your career path after college.
Following graduation in 2014, I moved back to my hometown in New Jersey, and quickly packed up again to take a position at St. Mark's High School and ATI Physical Therapy in Newark, Del. Following a year in Delaware, I received acceptance into East Stroudsburg (PA) University Masters of Science program in advanced clinical practice with a Graduate Assistant position at Nazareth High School, and was fortunate to have grown up 20 minutes from the campus, so back to N.J. I went! In my heart, I knew the south was where I was meant to be. I completed a certification in my master's program as an orthopedic technologist, and took a job for Roper St. Francis in Charleston, S.C. as a physician extender to orthopedics, and durable medical equipment knowing that I could advance this area of my profession with a goal in mind to be back in the school systems, and full-fill my lifetime goal of working with injured veterans.
Being in Charleston, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the V.A. hospital, had a patient of mine who was friends with Jimmy Buffet and was able to engage me into his Freedom Fighter Outdoors program, working with service members of all branches out on the water. This was the moment I knew I was in a field that never stopped expanding and changing and I embraced every bit of it. Now, I am the Head Athletic Trainer for a private 1st-12th grade school in Charleston, Porter Gaud, and have the ability to work on future plans to open a sports medicine facility for the adaptive athlete. Currently, I am also a full time Doctorate in Athletic Training student through Moravian College. Being able to use my profession to work with athletes from performance and injury management, as well as work with service members and develop plans and research to assist them into their new norm, I know I am in the perfect profession for me.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Being accepted into Moravian College's Doctorate of Athletic Training Program! This will provide me the last bit of college education in order to comply with my goal of treating the full athlete. Although, this profession will forever be one to seek out learning opportunities and educate as medicine grows.
What originally attracted you to attend Campbell as a student-athlete?
Originally, I came to Campbell University as a women's soccer commit, as this was one of the few schools that would allow me to compete in athletics, and major in AT. Campbell was the final decision once I got on campus, saw the growth that was taking place, and got to experience the program as a whole during my official visit.
What are some of your most memorable moments from your time as a student-athlete at Campbell?
Suite style living with teammates made adapting to college life much easier and more enjoyable. 7:00 a.m. ice baths and rehabilitation in McLeod ... but they were worth it! "Club Wiggins", or just Friday nights at the library, with all of the athletes. Circuit days with Coach Andrew Carter and women's soccer. Transitioning over to women's lacrosse and scoring the first goal.
What was the most important thing you learned while you were at Campbell?
Learning how to build in all aspects of life! Build relationships, build off of each other, build people up, build on your goals, build for your future and build yourself!
What advice would you give to current student-athletes at Campbell?
Put your work in! Take care of your body both physically and mentally. Get to know your professors and always keep in touch with them! Something I did which really made me realize the true definition of being a student athlete for CU. Every now and then, go visit the field by yourself. Walk around and take it in. Recognize where you are at, why you chose CU and gain an appreciation for the field where you have experienced success, failures and pickups, lessons and life. When you graduate, go back and visit and you will remember the days you walked the field to take it all in, and the memories will come back!
