Sprains, muscle spasms and concussions — Lynbrook’s new athletic trainer Scott Leveau tends to them all. Joining Lynbrook’s staff after its year-long search for an athletic trainer, Leveau’s major responsibilities revolve around aiding injured student athletes. 

Leveau grew up in San Francisco and began his career when he joined the Marine Corps. During his time in the Marines, Leveau observed a lack of care among the infantry — there was a stigma that soldiers shouldn’t show weakness. It became his goal to provide the support that he wished he received in the Marines and to show others that it was okay to be in pain. 

“One of my main goals is to change that culture and to instill the thought that it is okay to get help,” Leveau said. 

Having studied athletic training in college, Leveau has worked as an athletic trainer aid for high schools in Southern Calif. and for the University of Southern California’s football team. 

As Lynbrook’s athletic trainer, Leveau supervises many games on campus, and is always available to care for the needs of any athlete. Contact sports that are often more dangerous and can cause acute injuries are given more attention. During the 2021-22 school year, Lynbrook did not have an official athletic trainer, so tensions arose among teams over who would take care of the players at games.

“It was scary because we felt like we couldn’t get injured because there was no one here to take care of us,” junior and varsity volleyball player Carrie Chern said. “Now that we have an athletic trainer, many athletes, including myself, feel more comfortable.”

When an athlete suffers an injury, he or she undergoes a rehabilitation process in which they perform custom exercises assigned by Leveau. After, athletes have non-contact practices coordinated by the coaches so there is no risk of any excessive injuries.

“When I treat athletes I do my best to make them feel comfortable because they may be in a situation that they have never experienced before,” Leveau said. “Even though my main goal is to take care of them, I also try to alleviate the tension by incorporating humor into my patient care.”

While monitoring games, Leveau often has two student assistants who help him with tasks such as setting up the equipment and treating athletes with minor injuries. 

“When I took up this position I was really interested in learning about sports medicine,” junior student assistant Sonali Goel said. “Being an assistant athletic trainer is such an amazing learning experience. Leveau is a good mentor and a caring person.”

 Leveau appreciates Lynbrook’s athletic environment and admires his athletes for being hard-working, ardent and open-minded. In the future, he hopes to continue to treat athletes and break through the negative connotations around showing pain and weakness.

“I’m thankful that I’m here,” Leveau said. “These athletes are passionate about what they do and they’re out there putting in hard work. They should be afforded someone who is always there to care for them and I’m glad that it is me.”