Devine welcomes new athletic trainer

A very important addition to the athletic staff is the new athletic trainer Mr. Ruben Alsten, commonly known as Doc. In addition to working games and treating athletes, Alsten is also teaching sports medicine classes.

“It’s very important, I don’t know how anyone can go without one,” Alsten said. “When you have an athletic trainer on hand, you’re prepared.”

This is the first time Devine has hired a full time athletic trainer.

“I like the reward. Seeing a kid finish through an injury and going from not being able to do anything at all to getting them better than they were before,” Alsten said.

With the help of Alsten, the athletes will be able to recover and come back from their injuries, as well as learn what it takes to become a trainer.

“The classes are fun. The kids are there because they want to be there,” Alsten said. They’re eager to learn because the class leads into a profession they want to be in.”

Alsten is teaching two sports medicine classes during the day. He is the first athletic trainer for Devine that has been certified to teach classes. He is also familiar with the athletic program here.

“I’ve lived here for six years. I went to high school and grew up in Lytle,” Alsten said.

Alsten has previously worked at Pearsall HS, Laredo United HS, and A&M Corpus Christi.

“Of course having the opportunity to start something completely from scratch is great,” Alsten said, “The tradition of Devine is great. There’s consistency because of the long time standing with the coaches.”

DHS welcomes Alsten and is excited to have a full time athletic trainer for the first time.

“We really enjoyed having Manny Sanchez as our trainer but he couldn’t be here full time,” athletic director Chad Quisenberry said.  “We were the only school our size to not have a full time trainer, and having Doc here is awesome.”