Nov 24, 2015Dartmouth Football Athletic Trainer Honors Grit
Although it goes unnoticed by most people outside of its football program, at Dartmouth College, one of the most coveted awards for football players is given by Head Athletic Trainer Mike Derosier. He annually picks one senior who has overcome a major injury or series of injuries and has returned to have a significant impact on the field. According to the Valley News (White River Junction, Vt.), the Hard Nose Award recipient has his name and uniform number engraved on a wooden plaque displayed in the athletic training room.
“We reward the tough guys who show the mettle to get back and play at a high level,” Derosier told the Valley News. “I don’t know of any other collegiate athletic team where the trainer gets to choose an award recipient.”
Along with overcoming injuries, the Hard Nose Award recipients must have followed the athletic training staff’s rehabilitation instructions. The criteria also include not disregarding or embellishing injuries and not lobbying on your own behalf or for a friend in order to influence the award’s outcome. It’s a career achievement that Big Green recipients cherish.
“At least twice a year, guys come in the training room and want to show their friends and family their name on the plaques,” said Derosier. “They’re from Phoenix or wherever, and maybe their buddies don’t think they’re so tough now, but they want to show them that they once were.”
