This month marks a 10-year anniversary for Adam Hunsaker serving as the head athletic trainer at Carson High School. From providing medical coverage when Carson High has hosted the NIAA state track Championships, to watching the Senators’ football team win three straight league championships, Hunsaker has been a fixture at the school, attending countless games, practices and training sessions to watch over the athletes’ safety and well-being.
“In 2013, Carson Tahoe Health made the decision to support Carson High School athletes by providing a full-time athletic trainer at no cost to the school,” said Steve Yasmer, manager of therapy services for Carson Tahoe Health. “It was an effort to make sure local high school athletes had access to an athletic trainer to keep them safe during competitions and practices, and to triage any injuries that may occur.”
Hunsaker, who earned his master’s degree in sports medicine from the University of Utah, has also helped to write policy regarding inclement weather and air quality.
“At times, I have felt more like a weatherman than an athletic trainer,” Hunsaker said recently, “constantly checking weather apps and Airnow.gov and helping to make the call to cancel an activity.”
TEACHING ROLE
During the pandemic, Hunsaker also stepped into a teaching role at the high school. He now teaches chemistry in the morning and fulfills his role as a trainer in the afternoons, evenings and weekends.
Recently, Hunsaker's commitment to the well-being of Carson City students has made a significant impact statewide. He played a crucial role in supporting Carson High School Senior Stella Thornton’s advocacy efforts for the passage and adoption of Senate Bill 80 during the most recent session of the Nevada Legislature. The bill will require schools to develop comprehensive protocols for concussion management, including guidelines for academic accommodations for all students after a concussion diagnosis.
“This bill allows any student to be given similar treatment as athletes when they get a concussion during athletic competition," Hunsaker said. “Now they can get those temporary accommodations in the classroom, such as extended deadlines, without having to go through the lengthy process of an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan).”
Hunsaker’s dedication to seeing students reach their highest potential both on and off the field has earned him the respect and gratitude of his peers, coaches, parents and students alike.
“From helping me prepare to present with the school board, to showing up on his own time for hearings, meetings — and to testify — Adam has been really awesome” Thornton said. “For him to volunteer his time to help see this bill through shows how committed he is to helping students.”
Hunsaker has six children with his wife, Rachel, ranging from 1 to 16. His love of sports started early when his father was a professor at Georgia. He still roots for the Georgia Bulldogs, his alma mater, Utah, and the San Francisco 49ers.
“The best part of my job is seeing athletes overcome their injuries.” Hunsaker said, “It’s a great feeling when you’ve worked with an athlete, and you get to watch them return to the field and succeed in their sport.”