Faculty Friday: Mark Green - Athletic Trainer

"I feel that success is not determined by fame or wealth, but by the positive impact and influences we have on others. In some cases we may have only one chance at this so it is important to make every interaction count." Mark Green.
Raised in Franklin, NC, Mark Green joined Rabun Gap in April 2013. He received his B.S. in Athletic Training in 2007 from Western Carolina University. He completed an internship at the University of Tennessee in the spring of 2007. Prior to joining the Rabun Gap community, he worked as an Athletic Trainer for Franklin High School and as a technician at a physical therapy clinic in Franklin. Mark’s wife Mrs. Kimberly Green, is employed at Rabun Gap as a counselor for the Upper School students. They have two children, Hope ’28, and Harrison ’31. Mark also serves as the praise and worship leader at his church.
 
How did you end up working at Rabun Gap? Growing up close by, I heard of Rabun Gap, but never fully understood what the school was about. When I was in college earning my degree in Athletic Training, I had a clinical rotation here working with Rabun Gap’s first ATC, Patty Fahringer. During this time I developed a relationship with the previous Athletic Director Jason Grove. Once Patty left, Coach Grove discussed with me about coming down and serving as the school’s athletic trainer. Unfortunately, the time was not right. In the spring of 2013, Coach Grove contacted me again and after talking with my wife about it I decided to come for an interview. After that, being at Rabun Gap has been a true blessing for me and my family.  
 
Tell us a how a weekday in the life of Mark Green looks like? A typical day for me can vary depending on sports seasons, athletes’ appointments and if injuries occur throughout the day. Most mornings, I check in with our Athletic Director, Coach Earnhardt, and discuss events of the previous day and discuss what is on tap for the current day. After that I usually go down to the treatment room and do my documentation on injuries, treatments, etc. I also provide treatment and rehab during the day. However, it varies depending on student schedules. Weekly, I will go to the Middle School and check in with athletes over there. Occasionally, a Lower School student will hit their head and I will go and perform a concussion assessment and advise on what needs to be done. After lunch, time is spent preparing for afternoon activities or games based on the schedule for the day. Once school is over, my room is full of students needing to be taped or getting treatment in order to be ready for practice or competition. The rest of the day is spent covering games or practices.  
 
What do you like the most about your job? Working with so many different students from varying places in the world. I also enjoy the people I work with. Seeing performers and athletes return to the court, field, stage, or mat is a great privilege as well.  
 
How do you define success? I feel that success is not determined by fame or wealth, but by the positive impact and influences we have on others. In some cases we may have only one chance at this so it is important to make every interaction count.   
 
What is the greatest success you have had in life? By far becoming a Christian
 
What inspires you? Inspiration for me comes from Christian music and my wife.  
 
What is one of your weaknesses, and how are you working to improve it? Fear of failure and not knowing. I am learning that I don’t have to know everything and that just because I fail at something does not mean I am not capable of achieving a goal or task.   
 
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? My relationship with God is one thing I cannot live without. My wife and kids are also extremely important to me.  
 
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this? I feel that I would be in ministry of some kind.  
 
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently? Hearing a story about my son Harrison. He has something funny on a daily basis.  

If you could choose one amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be? Having a treatment room next to the weight room.
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.