Fred Smith has been Bakersfield College’s athletic trainer for the past 31 years, and is now being inducted into the California Community College Athletic Trainers’ Association.

“He [Smith] should be acknowledged for all of his dedication and hard work, and he’s not going to go around and tell everybody that he’s been inducted into the Hall of Fame, so I’m just letting people know,” said BC athletic trainer Mike Medeiros.

Smith traveled to San Diego where the award ceremony was held. He expressed that he felt pressure to make a good speech because he has been thinking about what to say for two months now.

Smith said, “I have passion in what I do so some emotion came out… I like to call it an emotionally charged presentation.”

People came up to Smith after his speech to let him know that there were many people in the audience that had tears in their eyes.

Smith attended Fresno State University where he got a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree while he also became a Certified Athletic Trainer in their sports medicine program. In 2003, Smith got certified from the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Performance Enhancement Specialist.

Smith worked as an athletic trainer at Fresno City College for 2 years starting in 1982. In 1984, Smith got a job as an athletic trainer at BC and has been at BC ever since. He has worked as the Post Season Representative for football for over 20 years, and he has also been a Western State Conference representative for six years.

Smith has been involved in the Kern County Concussion Consortium where he provides concussion policies that are up to date.

Over the many years Smith has worked as an athletic trainer, and has learned that things are constantly changing in sports medicine and that keeping up with advancements is important.

Smith has learned through the years that correcting the problem before it happens is the best way to keep an athlete healthy. He says that is especially true today.

“Athletes aren’t as durable as they used to be. My thought and theory is they are not playing physically outside doing more sports… They are not being subjected to the stresses, physically,” said Smith.

Smith says that his team is great. He expressed his thankfulness for Dr. William Baker, Dr. Michael Tivnon, Tim Terrio, and Dr. John March.

“They are all very good at what they do, but one of their best attributes is they know when to refer,” said Smith referring to his team.

Smith is also the program director of the student athletic trainer program. He explained that the program gives students the opportunity to not only gain experience but to see if this is what they really want their career to be.

Smith said that he has some good years left in him before he retires.

“I’m enjoying it, and I’m having more fun now than I ever have,” said Smith.