While the spotlight shines on ULM’s athletes, senior kinesiology major Jeraveya “Jai” Foster keeps them moving forward after every challenging play. As a student athletic trainer, Foster works behind the scenes to ensure every player stays in the game.

Athletic trainers are the first to respond when injuries happen, providing care that keeps teams running strong. Foster stepped into her role at ULM with that commitment.

Foster joined ULM in 2020 but did not begin training for the first season. Later, she contacted former head football athletic trainer Jason Dunavant to become a student worker.

She’s wanted to train since high school. Back then, Foster’s school shared an athletic trainer with four other schools, which meant limited access to care.

“I got hurt in my sophomore year and ended up having to go to a third-party clinic instead of doing my rehab at school,” Foster said. “So that sparked my interest in athletic training. Ever since then, I’ve been looking up all the information I can.”

From that moment on, Foster developed a passion for athletic medicine, wanting to help athletes recover and keep them in the game.

“Seeing all the injuries happening in the NFL lets me know I’m going to have a job,” she said.

Foster’s time with the football team has given her plenty of memorable memories. She has also developed close relationships with football players.

“They’re like my big brothers,” Foster said. “I’ve just developed a relationship with them. They know that if they need something, they can always come to me.”

Foster recalled the first time she got hit on the sideline—not funny then, but something she can laugh about now. But these lighthearted moments are balanced by the demands of the job, which aren’t always easy to handle.

Foster admits that balancing her role as an athletic trainer with her studies can be challenging, especially when she starts to doubt herself.

“Sometimes I have imposter syndrome,” Foster said. “I know the things that I need to know to do my job, but sometimes I second guess if I know those things.”

During these times, Foster has found reassurance from the people around her. She mentions the guidance of Brandon Fresina, assistant director for sports medicine, and head athletic trainer Shana Sunseri, who have offered her valuable mentorship.

Sunseri praised Foster’s dedication to the field and noted her eagerness to go above and beyond her role.

“I have had a great experience working with Jai. She has a great work ethic and tries to learn as much as she can about the athletic training,” Sunseri said. “Jai tries to gain experience with as many different situations as she possibly can. I can’t wait to see where she takes this career path.”

Although she received help along the way, Foster now takes pride in being a mentor herself. As the head student athletic trainer and senior student trainer, Foster helps new coworkers adjust to the training room’s demands and practices.

With graduation approaching, Foster is already planning her career’s next step. F

Foster hopes to attend graduate school at either Southeastern or Southern Mississippi, where she’ll pursue a master’s degree in athletic training. Her ultimate goal is to become a certified athletic trainer. Foster aims to work with a professional team in the NFL.

Student athletic trainers such as Foster are the unsung heroes behind every game. They’re the ones who keep athletes going, often without the recognition they deserve. Their work may go unnoticed by the crowd, but it’s essential to every game and every player.