Q&A with an adminstrator: Joe Sheehan

Joe Sheehan joined the Arkansas Athletic Department in late July as the coordinator of athletic training and sports medicine. Along with the duties associated with heading up the department, Sheehan is also in charge of the athletic training for Arkansas’ football team. Prior to landing in Fayetteville, Sheehan was an assistant athletic trainer and the director of rehabilitation for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League.
Q: What is your favorite sports movie?
A: “Hoosiers.” I love the role of the underdog.
Q: Is it coke, soda or pop?
A: Definitely, Coke.
Q: Who is one person you would like to have an autograph from?
A: Jack Nicholson
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: I love to draw. I have done it since I was in grade school.
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
A: Without question, Christmas. I love the fresh cold air, being with family and sharing presents.
Q: What is your favorite band?
A: Dave Matthews Band, but Frank Sinatra and Jack Johnson are close behind.
Q: What is your ringtone right now?
A: Tessie, the theme song of the Boston Red Sox when they won the World Series. What a story.
Q: How fast can you tape an ankle?
A: 12 seconds.
Q: Do you see the same types of injuries occur in college as in the pros?
A: They are very similar. Although I think you tend to see more chronic, long-term management issues at the professional level than you do in college.
Q: Were you a Razorback fan before you came to Arkansas?
A: No. However, I have always been a huge fan of big-time college football.
Q: What is the worst injury you have ever seen?
A: We had a linebacker in Jacksonville who had a spinal cord concussion. He lost all movement and feeling in his extremities for a short time period. That was definitely the worse I have seen, although, I have seen some pretty bad ankle fractures and dislocations as well.
Q: What are some of the challenges of running an athletic training program?
A: We are striving to provide state of the art medical care at The University of Arkansas. In today’s society, medicine is constantly evolving. Thus, there are numerous daily challenges associated with this, but none that I do not feel certain we cannot accomplish as a medical staff.
Q: Would you ever go skydiving?
A: No. A former defensive tackle in Jacksonville has been trying to get me to do that for years, but I see no reason to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
Q: What is the best success story of an athlete overcoming an injury?
A: Fred Taylor, hands down. Here is a guy who was hampered by numerous injuries early in his career, but is going to finish as one of the top 10 all-time NFL rushers. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Q: With players going to class and team meetings, how does that affect their time in the training room for rehabilitation?
A: There is no question that this is a major difference for me at the college level. In the NFL, injured players receive rehabilitation all day long. However, class definitely comes first at the collegiate level. We have been able to develop a treatment schedule that maximizes their free time, including 6:30 a.m. treatments.
Q: How many athletes do you tape before a game?
A: At least 30.
Q: What is your favorite stadium to go to?
A: I was a big fan of Lambeau Field. Although, I have to admit Razorback Stadium is quickly becoming my favorite.
Q: What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
A: I love to read. I am constantly trying to keep up with The NY Times Bestseller list, although I’ve been falling a little behind lately.
Q: Describe yourself in a few words?
A: The glass is always half full.