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U.S. soccer banks on Charleston trainer
Banks head trainer for U.S. Women's World Cup team
BY JEFF HARTSELL
Saturday, June 25, 2011
A 1-0 victory over Mexico on June 5 didn't mean much in the big picture for the U.S. women's national team and its goal of recapturing the World Cup soccer title.
It was just a sendoff match for the U.S., which begins pursuit of the World Cup championship Sunday in Germany.
But for American standout Heather Mitts -- and by extension, head athletic trainer Greg Banks -- the stakes were huge. Mitts had 45 minutes of playing time to prove that a pesky hamstring injury was not bad enough to keep her off the World Cup roster for the third time.
The 33-year-old Mitts played a solid second half, proving she was fit enough to make the squad.
"I was starting to think I had the World Cup jinx," said Mitts, who missed the 2003 and 2007 World Cups with injuries. "I'm obviously ecstatic about the whole thing. The fact that I'm actually going, I can put it out of my mind and I can look forward to my first World Cup."
Taking quiet satisfaction in Mitts' recovery was Banks, a 40-year-old College of Charleston graduate who is director and practice administrator at Rehabilitation Centers of Charleston. Banks also is head athletic trainer for the U.S. team, which is ranked No. 1 heading into the World Cup.
"That was a big deal," Banks said of Mitts' comeback. "She was not sure she'd be able to make it, but she was able to play 45 minutes and make the team."
World Cup
What: Women's World Cup soccerWhen: Sunday-July 17
Where: Germany
Group C: United States, North Korea, Colombia, Sweden.
Banks' role as trainer to America's soccer stars requires quite a balancing act -- part of the team, sure, but also conduit to the coaching staff, confidant and older brother, all in one.
"It's like having 21 little sisters," he said. "And it's my responsibility to make sure that they stay healthy."
Banks, soft-spoken and serious-minded, came to College of Charleston from Chattanooga to play soccer for Cougars coach Ralph Lundy. When that didn't work out, he turned to athletic training and sports medicine. Instead of playing soccer, he took care of the players, turning that into a career.
His involvement with the U.S. women's team began about five years ago, with the under-23 squad. He worked the tail end of the 2007 World Cup with the national team, and earlier this year was named head trainer for the 2011 World Cup.
Working with the national team requires a major time commitment from Banks -- and from his wife, Tara, and two sons, Ethan (10) and Brodie (4). He's averaged two months a year on the road the last five years, traveling to Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Norway, England and Scotland. The World Cup runs from Sunday to July 17 in Germany.
"When I didn't want to do this anymore because I missed my family, my wife knew how much it meant to me," Banks said. "She encouraged me to see it through."
Continuity in the training staff is important for the players, who need to build trust in the people taking care of them.
"They have to know that my No. 1 goal for them is to make sure they are healthy and able to play at the highest international level," Banks said. "At that level, they have to be able to perform in a certain way, and they have to be confident in me when I tell them they can."
More difficult is when Banks has to tell an injured player that their World Cup dreams are over, or at least deferred. That was the case in May when midfielder Lindsay Tarpley tore ligaments in her knee. She will miss the World Cup, but could return for the 2012 Olympics.
"When you tell a high school coach an athlete can't play, they don't question you," Banks said. "At this level, they want to know: Why not? When can they play? What's your plan? There's a lot of pressure."
Banks' time with the U.S. team has coincided with a changing of the guard for the American women. Only one player, defender Christie Rampone, is left from the celebrated 1999 World Cup championship team. New stars such as Abby Wambach and keeper Hope Solo are hoping to win the World Cup for the first time since '99.
On the sideline and in the training room, Banks will keep them going.
"They are hungry for it, I can tell you that," Banks said.
4 comments:
That is so awesome, Tara! Good for him (and you!) :)
Yay Greg! We're so proud of you!
what a guy!
T and G- We are so very proud to watch this dream come to fruition for Greg, and for your family! Go USA! Greg, what a sweet mission field you have and we pray God will use it mightily through you! Have fun!
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