On Friday nights, the spotlight shines on the Fort Bend Marshall football team, and the stands shake with cheers. But just steps from the sideline, another team works quietly, taping ankles, treating cramps, and keeping players on the field. They aren’t in jerseys or listed on the stats, yet without them, the game can’t take place.
At Fort Bend Marshall High School, the student athletic trainers, guided by head athletic trainer Nia LeBlanc, are just as vital to the Marshalls’ success as touchdowns and tackles.
LeBlanc, now in her tenth year as an athletic trainer, eagerly accepted the chance to lead Marshall’s program when the position opened.
“I was so excited,” said LeBlanc. “My time as an assistant athletic trainer was integral; it helped me decide the kind of impact I wanted to make. I got to learn under some of the best athletic trainers I’ve ever met, and that shaped the leader I am today.”
For LeBlanc, the job feels extremely personal.
“This program means so much to me because of these kids,” said LeBlanc. “Watching them succeed reassures me that this was the perfect job for me, and I don’t take that for granted.”
When LeBlanc began at Marshall in August 2020, amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced a world filled with uncertainty.
“We were at the peak of COVID navigation, but my students rolled with the punches like professionals,” said LeBlanc. “I came into a fully functional ecosystem, and over the last five years, I’ve built a new one that I can truly call my own, with equally dedicated students who show up every day and work hard to raise the bar.”
Fort Bend Marshall’s student athletic training program educates students interested in healthcare careers, including athletic training. The application process is rigorous, assessing knowledge retention, reliability, personality, and other key traits.
As a former participant in a student athletic training program, LeBlanc firmly believes in the value of hands-on experience.
“There’s so much pressure on kids to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives by graduation,” said LeBlanc. “My goal is to remind them that it’s possible to love what you do to find something that fits your life and fulfills you beyond just a paycheck.”
Senior Jayla Sanders, who plans to attend Texas A&M next year, views the program as a stepping stone to a career in medicine.
“Becoming an athletic trainer lets me gain medical experience while staying connected to sports. It’s hands-on, and it’s taught me how to work with all kinds of people.”
jayla Sanders
“Becoming an athletic trainer lets me gain medical experience while staying connected to sports,” said Sanders. “It’s hands-on, and it’s taught me how to work with all kinds of people.”
Sophomore Lyric Edwards said the application process was a learning experience.
“I learned the materials and skills needed to thrive under Coach LeBlanc and Ms. K’s leadership,” said Edwards. “They explained what the program would offer and encouraged me to develop my communication skills. They’ve been a huge asset.”
Senior Esther Ajayi, who plans to attend Texas State, admitted that being underestimated is one of the toughest challenges.
“People often don’t realize everything we learn,” said Ajayi. “It can be hard to keep your head up, but the most rewarding moment for me was when we placed at state, something our Sports Medicine Program had never done before.”
Like other students involved in extracurriculars, the trainers balance academics with long nights and early mornings during football season.
“Balancing can be difficult,” said Sanders. “I work ahead of time instead of waiting until the last minute. Any downtime I have goes toward schoolwork or college applications so that when it’s time for practice or a game, I can focus fully.”
During practices and games, the trainers make sure everything operates smoothly.
“At practice, I make sure the team stays hydrated and handle first aid when needed,” said junior Sydney Gurrola. “Our motto is, ‘Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.’ Being an athlete myself helps me understand the team’s needs. On game days, our responsibilities increase, including packing equipment, managing hydration, assisting with timeouts, and helping with injuries. Every task we do contributes directly to the team’s safety and success.
Junior Mikayla Moore said the experience improves both skills and camaraderie.
“Working varsity games under pressure, balancing injuries, hydration, and professionalism isn’t easy,” said Moore. “But we make it fun too, singing, dancing, making TikToks. It’s brought us closer and made us stronger as a team.”
Athletes across campus appreciate the trainers’ dedication.
“We see the student trainers as essential,” said senior basketball guard Armani Theus. “They help us in ways that go beyond athletic ability, both physically and emotionally. Their support is unmatched.”
Senior football safety Isaiah Williams shared the same sentiment:
“We rely on them to keep us hydrated and ready,” said Williams. “Even when it’s 100 degrees, they’re still locked in. We wouldn’t make it through a season without them.”
Despite their clear presence, many fans still underestimate the amount of work they do.
“People think we’re just ‘water girls,’” said Gurrola, “but we study anatomy, learn taping techniques, and practice real injury care.”
Alumnist Kloe Britt (Class of 2025, now at Texas State) says the program shaped her career.
“As a sophomore, I was unsure of my next steps, but a month into the program, I knew,” said Britt. “Helping athletes and learning rehabilitation sparked my passion for exercise science and orthopedic medicine.”
Isabel Salazar (Class of 2023) credits the program with teaching her vital life skills.
“Time management, communication, and attention to detail were my biggest takeaways,” said Salazar. “I learned how to balance school, practices, and games; those lessons still guide me today. Being part of a ‘team behind the team’ taught me the importance of dependability, empathy, and leadership. Even small actions can make a big difference.”
Britt agreed: “We studied hard for quiz bowls and learned so much from Mrs. LeBlanc and Ms. K. College feels easier because of what they taught us. This program felt like family; it was a safe place to grow, laugh, and learn.”
During the 2025–2026 school year, the Fort Bend Marshall student athletic training program included 19 students, both boys and girls. Up to ten are chosen to travel to varsity games to help with the team’s medical needs.
The team also competes annually in the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers’ Society (GHATS) competition. Last season, they finished second in the city and qualified for the state championship for the first time in school history, placing second out of 24 teams.
“This was immeasurable,” said LeBlanc. “I never set that as a goal; it just happened as a result of years of dedication and growth. Seeing our students shine was the most rewarding part.”
“No words can explain how we felt once we qualified for state and placed second at the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers’ Society Competition (GHATS),” said senior Rayna Clark, a future Texas State Bobcat. “Being overlooked and underestimated empowered us to prove what we knew ourselves to everyone else.”
Competitions like GHATS provide valuable exposure.
“It allows students to see where this career can take them,” said LeBlanc. “More than anything, it’s finally a moment that’s about them. They’re usually behind the scenes, so it’s wonderful to watch them shine.”
“Preparing for GHATS helped me identify my strengths and the way that I learn best,” said Clark. “Developing the best approach to information retention will definitely serve me well as I pursue my degree in Kinesiology.”
LeBlanc stays optimistic about what’s ahead.
“We plan to elevate,” said LeBlanc. “It would be incredible to make our way back to the state competition, but we measure our success by how much our kids enjoy themselves and how much they learn. Putting our energy into those two things will undoubtedly lead us toward the success they desire. We are already so proud.”
“We’re winning state this year,” said Clark. “And we want everyone to know student athletic trainers do way more than just pass out water.”
