Posted: Sep 16, 2025
Staff Spotlight: Steve Payson
Staff Spotlight: Steve Payson
The journey to becoming an athletic trainer is often a unique and personal one.
For me, it all started during my high school years.
As a junior, I joined the student athletic trainer class after realizing that basketball wasn't going to be my path.
As I would later learn, this decision would set the course for my future career.
I quickly fell in love with the field of athletic training and knew that I could make a career out of it.
It was a pivotal moment that shaped the trajectory of my professional life.
A Career Begins
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After 24 years in the Air Force, I made the decision to go back to school and pursue my passion for athletic training.
I enrolled at Boise State University and worked tirelessly to earn my degree.
After graduation, I was hired by Rehabilitation Management Associates as a PRN (as needed) athletic trainer.
One day, I received a call from my supervisor asking if I could go out to Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) because their athletic trainer had left.
Little did I know that this opportunity would mark the beginning of a long and fulfilling journey at TVCC, where I have now been for ten years.
A Diverse Range
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Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with a variety of sports and organizations.
While attending Boise State, I worked with football, swimming and diving, wrestling, women's basketball, women's soccer, and track and field.
As an employee of Saint Alphonsus, I have contracted with numerous sports organizations throughout the valley.
When I'm not at TVCC, you can find me working with Idaho Youth Soccer, Optimist Youth Football, local high schools, or Idaho Rush Soccer.
One of the most memorable experiences of my career was working with the Boise State football team when they went to and won the Fiesta Bowl.
Building Trust
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One of the most challenging aspects of being an athletic trainer is building trust with the student-athletes.
It's not just about treating their injuries or illnesses; it's about getting to know them as individuals.
Understanding their personalities and forming a connection beyond their on-field persona is crucial.
Once that connection is established, it becomes easier to be honest with them about their injuries and recovery process.
Trust is the foundation of a successful working relationship between an athletic trainer and an athlete.
It takes time and effort to earn that trust, but it is essential for the athlete's well-being and overall success.
Favorite Sports
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As an athletic trainer, I do have favorite sports to work with.
It's often influenced by the sports I played as a youth or the ones I have been exposed to through my career.
Two of my favorite sports to cover are volleyball and softball.
I've grown to love volleyball while working at TVCC, and softball is a fast-paced game that I find enjoyable to cover.
On the other hand, football is a sport I have mixed feelings about.
I love the game so much that I sometimes find myself getting caught up in watching it rather than focusing on my duties as an athletic trainer.
Personal Interests
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Outside of my training schedule at TVCC, I have a few personal interests that keep me busy.
Recently, I acquired a vacation property in Northern Idaho.
This has been a labor of love, as I spend time cleaning and improving the area, as well as working on the two small cabins on the property.
Additionally, I enjoy working on cars and small mechanical projects.
These activities provide a welcome break from my professional life and allow me to pursue my hobbies.
A Fulfilling Career
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My journey as an athletic trainer has been a fulfilling and rewarding one.
From my early days in high school to my current position at Treasure Valley Community College, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of sports and organizations.
Building trust with student-athletes and forming lasting connections has been a cornerstone of my career.
And when I'm not on the field or in the training room, I find joy in my personal interests and hobbies.
Athletic training is not just a profession for me; it is a passion that continues to drive me every day.