Behind every successful team at Berkshire are people making sure the athletes are safe, prepared, and supported. Athletic trainer Meredyth Joly is one of them. From managing injuries to teaching health and wellness, her impact is felt daily across campus.
Ms. Joly teaches health and wellness classes and also serves as Berkshire’s concussion coordinator. Her mornings typically begin around 10:00 a.m. with emails and phone calls, followed by long afternoons on the field or in the athletic training room. “Normally, Mr. Wysocki and I are done at maybe 6:00 or 6:30,” Ms. Joly says. With a steady stream of student-athletes coming in and out, her schedule is anything but slow.
Winter is both Ms. Joly’s busiest and favorite season. “I love the sports during the winter the most,” she says, though the demanding schedule with varying practice times can make it a challenge.
Emergencies are a regular part of the job, and Ms. Joly approaches them with a steady hand. She believes staying grounded is crucial: “I stay as calm as I can because it won’t help anyone who’s in trouble if I am stressed out.” For her, sticking to protocol is key, and she adds that it is, “the best way to deal with emergencies.”
But not everything happens on the sidelines. Keeping athletes safe isn’t just about reacting to injuries; it’s about preventing them, too. She emphasizes the importance of communication between athletes and trainers. “Students need to advocate for themselves,” she says, “because it is your health and your body, and it’s important to know what’s going on with you, since I can’t feel what you’re feeling.”
The most rewarding part of her job, Ms. Joly shares, is watching “kids throughout their whole athletic careers grow and progress.” Reflecting on her work, she adds, “The entire process with you all is cool and rewarding,” underscoring the fulfillment she finds in her role.
Now, for the question we have all been eager to know the answer to: what is Ms. Joly’s favorite sport to watch at Berkshire? Being a former track athlete, she is especially drawn to the energy of spring meets. As for the winter season, the intensity of “boys varsity hockey and girls varsity basketball” particularly interests Joly. And in the fall, while she sees a bit of everything, it’s soccer that she ends up watching the most.
Through long hours, busy seasons, and the ups and downs of high school sports, Ms. Joly is a constant, committed presence. She keeps students safe, teaches them to take care of their bodies, and supports them from their first game to their last.
