The Dark Side of College Football: Athletic Trainers and Doctors under Pressure

In the early 2014 football season, a Nike representative confronted two doctors and the head trainer at Penn State, marking the beginning of a troubled time for Scott Lynch, the head team doctor. This incident, along with subsequent interference from Coach James Franklin, became just one of many troubling instances that led Dr. Lynch to feel like he was the only safeguard for athletes’ health.

Pressure and Consequences

Franklin required the trainer to disclose information about players who needed their ankles taped over their shoes, despite Dr. Lynch’s objections. Feeling increasing pressure, Dr. Lynch complained to supervisors about the coach’s intervention in medical decisions. His complaints ultimately led to his dismissal, prompting Dr. Lynch to file a lawsuit.

Last year, a Pennsylvania jury awarded Dr. Lynch $5.25 million in damages for wrongful termination. The trial shed light on the pressures that high-profile college football teams place on trainers and doctors to reinstate players to the field, often overriding medical concerns.

The Broader Impact of Cash Flows

“College sports are broken, and I think they’re beyond repair,” Dr. Lynch stated in an interview. “There’s way too much money that’s getting in the way of people making good decisions. Nobody’s protecting the athletes.”

The anticipated implementation of an antitrust lawsuit settlement this year will require schools to pay athletes, potentially making college sports resemble professional leagues. However, unlike professionals, college athletes lack labor union representation and have limited autonomy over their medical care.

Continued Concerns

Examples from Dr. Lynch’s lawsuit span from 2015 to 2019, but similar issues persist. In 2022, Penn State football players expressed concerns about medical care but were opposed when they tried to organize for a third-party representative in medical decisions. The school and the Big Ten Conference thwarted their efforts.

Other recent cases highlight ongoing issues. In October 2023, an LSU player sued the school after a coach threatened his starting position due to his complaints of headaches, leading to a brain tumor diagnosis. The family of a Bucknell player who died during a workout also raised concerns about the lack of transparency.

L.S.U. stated that its health care contractor provides exceptional care for its athletes, while Bucknell promised additional information once its investigation is complete.

“The Wild West” of College Athletics

A 2019 survey by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association revealed widespread issues. Nearly one-fourth of respondents stated they lacked medical autonomy, with more than one-third reporting coach influence in the hiring and firing of medical staff. Almost one in five reported playing an athlete who was not medically cleared.

A year before Dr. Lynch’s removal, Moira Novak’s dismissal at the University of Minnesota echoed similar concerns. She cited unethical behavior that she believed impeded the team’s winning efforts.

“College athletics is the Wild West when it comes to medical services,” Ms. Novak stated. “I’m sure there are some that do a decent job, but if I had a son or daughter who was a college athlete, I’d make sure they knew they have to be their own advocate.”

Penn State’s Stance

Penn State expressed deep disappointment in the jury’s verdict, asserting that athletes receive independent medical approval before participating. The athletic department also maintained that Coach Franklin did not influence medical decisions. “Throughout James Franklin’s tenure, he has worked tirelessly to build a program focused on the well-being of student-athletes,” a statement read.

Defense attorneys described Franklin’s inquiries as routine, but Judge Andrew Dowling emphasized that the defendants prioritized protecting the football team and coach over the health and welfare of players. Dr. Lynch, Hersey Medical Center, and Dr. Kevin Black are all appealing the verdict.

Testimonies and Trust Issues

During the trial, the jury heard numerous accounts from Dr. Lynch regarding experiences with Coach Franklin’s interference. When Franklin yelled at, ignored, or hung up on Dr. Lynch, he stood firm—until he was fired in 2019.

Dr. Black cited Dr. Lynch’s residency status as the reason for his dismissal, but Dr. Lynch owned a downtown condominium and had full operating privileges at Hershey Medical Center. Rob Windsor, a former defensive lineman, testified that the new head trainer ignored his requests to speak with Dr. Lynch about a knee injury.

“You had a doctor and a trainer that were standing up for the athletes, and they got rid of them both,” Windsor stated, expressing mixed feelings about criticizing his alma mater.

The NCAA’s Response and Enforcement Challenges

Over a century later, as college athletics became a billion-dollar industry, the NCAA attempted to curtail coach and athletic director interference. In 2017, it mandated unchallengable autonomous authority for team doctors and trainers, excluding coaches and athletic directors from hiring and firing decisions.

The NCAA amended its bylaws in 2023 to require annual policy reviews, but Brant Berkstresser, chair of the NATA’s council on intercollegiate athletics, criticized the lack of reporting mechanisms and enforcement. “A standard without consequences is not a standard,” he pointed out.

The NCAA has never sanctioned a school for interfering with medical autonomy, and a University of Minnesota statement echoed assurances that return-to-play decisions are made by medical staff and athletes without coach or administrator involvement.

Ms. Novak’s Experience

Ms. Novak detailed alleged abuses in a 2018 memorandum to the university’s Board of Regents, including a coach pressuring an athlete to conceal dizziness and blurred vision following a car crash. The athlete was later hospitalized.

When Novak attempted legal action, she settled with the university, stating, “It was a very strong message to the remaining staff: Put up or shut up, or leave.”

Dr. Lynch’s Victory and Future Prospects

Dr. Lynch’s five-year legal battle against his wrongful termination culminated in a $5.25 million award. He hopes this outcome might lead to reforms prioritizing athletes’ health.

However, Dr. Lynch’s attorney, Steven Marino, remained cautious. “It was a devastating finding of fact, but I don’t think it’s enough to effect change. It should have been a $50 million judgment. This is just going to be the cost of doing business,” Marino stated.

Call to Action

This case underscores the critical need for reforms in college sports to ensure athletes’ well-being. As we move forward, it is essential to strengthen the autonomy of medical staff and hold schools accountable for prioritizing players’ health over winning at all costs.

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