You have seen the players play on the field, you have seen the coaching staff work with them, but have you seen the people that take care of the players and coaches? Hillsborough High School has two experienced Athletic Trainers,  Michael Shiffman and Amanda Miller. 

Michael Shiffman, a trainer of 32 years, attended Ithaca College for his Bachelor’s degree and Old Dominion for his Master’s degree, and started an Athletic Training Program after looking up to his mentor Kent Scriber. Shiffman worked at a college for 3 years, but quickly realized that working at a High School would fit him best, with fewer hours, more money, and less travel. He can still enjoy the Friday Night Lights by working with young athletes pursuing their goals, and benefiting from the great work-life balance. He said his favorite memory is an unforgettable wrestling match. “There was a special needs kid on the wrestling team which wrestled another special needs kid from another school. Our kid won 2 to 1. The place was packed, the crowd went wild, they picked him up and carried him out. There wasn’t a dry eye in the stand,” said Shiffman. Shiffman said that these were the special memories that keep him connected and build wholesome relationships with young athletes and coaches. He even has inspired a few to pursue athletic training. “There is an alumni every so often that comes back and tells us that they are Athletic Trainers or studying Athletic Training,” said Shiffman.

The work can be challenging at times. For Shiffman, his main struggle is the physical challenges, being on his feet most of the time, but it won’t stop him from helping young athletes and enjoying himself. “Athletic Training in Hillsborough is a really good place to work, it’s fun Athletic Training,” said Shiffman, “If you want to be in a profession around kids and sports this is the thing to do.”

Amanda Miller, a trainer of 11 years, attended Bloomsburg University for her Bachelor’s degree in exercise science and Masters in Athletic Training, influenced by her Athletic Trainers in her high school, led her to start an Athletic Training program. Miller was also influenced by going through a knee injury in high school, which required surgery and physical therapy. She said she originally thought about having a career in Physical Therapy due to her enjoyment of the process. However, Miller really enjoyed sports and wanted to combine medicine and sports, which led her to Athletic Training. She fell in love with this job by interacting with High School Athletes and having little influences on them, including kids with a tougher background. Miller also enjoys the work life balance, due to the better hours, and now has more time to spend with her two children and focus on herself. Throughout Miller’s years as an Athletic Trainer she shared her favorite memories so far. “I love seeing unified teams, like Basketball, having students and teachers come and support one another,” said Miller. Throughout her years here in Hillsborough High School she has experienced the positives, but she has also faced her struggles. Miller endured a chronic illness for two years, and had a few months where she was still working and was struggling to physically do her job. However, she is now fully healed and happy to be back, helping young athletes, including a few students she has influenced. “There were a few that came through in the sports program here that said that they wanted to do sports medicine because they enjoyed what we do here,” said Miller. She said inspiring young athletes makes her love her job even more. “If you love sports and love taking care of people it’s a very rewarding and fulfilling career to be a part of, to work with young athletes like the ones here in Hillsborough High School,” Miller said.