Meet the Athletic Trainers in AT Profiles: Ron Buchetto, Jr. & Sam Donahue
Get to know two of our Athletic Trainers in honor of National Athletic Training Month!
Ron Buchetto, Jr., MAT, LAT, ATC – Morgan High School
Why did you want to be an AT?
I wanted to help athletes stay healthy and on the field while they pursue their athletic goals.
What part of AT is most interesting to you and why?
Seeing how athletes react to personal set backs, such as injuries, and trying to understand how I can motivate them to stay committed and get through difficult times. Each individual is unique so finding what motivates them is always a fun challenge.
If you had your own talk show, who would be your first 3 guests?
- Alex Rodriguez
- Mark Cuban
- Dwayne Wade
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
You can be good at a lot of things, but there is only one thing you can be the best at. So make sure whatever that is, it’s something you are passionate about and truly enjoy.
What’s your favorite thing you did last summer?
I went down south to spend my birthday with family that I obviously do not see much while living up in CT.
If you had a million dollars to spend, what would you spend it on?
Student debt, GONE! Second purchase, I am getting a four wheel drive vehicle, that is sporty of course, so when there is snow on the streets I don’t feel like I’m in a sled. Next I am taking a much needed vacation to the most tropical place I can find because we all need a little getaway after this past year. The rest of the money would go towards building a man cave with a few TV’s, pool table, and big bar.
Sam Donahue, LAT, ATC – North Branford High School
Why did you want to be an AT?
I always played sports when I was growing up and loved anything athletic, and I knew I wanted to stay involved in sports one way or another!
What part of AT is most interesting to you and why?
The most interesting part of being an AT is definitely not knowing what you could experience on a day-to-day basis. You never know what new injury you’re going to see on any given day, so there’s always an element of surprise that comes with the job.
If you had a million dollars to spend, what would you spend it on?
I would make sure my entire family is debt-free and then long-term investments and continue to do what I love doing, which is working as an AT.
What’s your favorite thing you did last summer?
I enjoyed taking the time to hike new places around the state and be able to be out in nature alone!
What superpower would you want to have?
I would definitely have to go with shapeshifting.
What’s your favorite book and why?
A book named “Say Nothing: A True Story About Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland” and the reason it’s my favorite is because it gives an in depth look into the IRA and the struggle between Ireland and Northern Ireland which has always interested me.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
This is a toss-up between New Zealand (pictured) and Ireland. Both are beautiful countries and I would love to go to both in my life, but I don’t know which I would choose first.