Background

Founded at the end of the 19th century as a women’s college, Goucher College is now home to a diverse co-ed population of 2000 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in Towson, MD, Goucher is recognized as a premier private school, boasting 30+ academic majors, 100 study abroad programs, and ranking in the top 20% of lifetime return on educational investment from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

Goucher is also home to 20 NCAA DIII athletic programs. With 30% of the student-body population engaged in athletics, including a Top 10 Equestrian Team, the school has built a reputation of providing a well-rounded student-athlete experience, attracting students from 47 different countries.  Notable alumni include Sally Brice-O’Hara, former Vice Commandant of the USCG, former President Woodrow Wilson’s daughter, Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre, and Sally Buck, part owner of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Goucher’s sprawling campus has recreational facilities, a soccer/lacrosse stadium, outdoor track and grass field, indoor basketball gym and a multi-court tennis center. 

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CHALLENGE

The principal challenge facing Goucher College was their lack of athletic trainers to support their substantial student-athlete population as they competed in the NCAA DIII Landmark Conference. 

At the beginning of the 2024-2025 Academic year, Goucher College found that they had no athletic trainers to support their men’s and women’s programs. With student-athletes starting practices and workouts as early as August, Goucher needed to hire at least two full-time athletic trainers immediately. 

However, after posting on multiple job boards and their website, Goucher could not obtain candidates.

Schools without an athletic trainer or without adequate access to care open themselves up to higher liability risks and could face significant financial penalties should a catastrophic or preventable event occur.

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Solution

The Go4 platform. 

Go4 connects athletic trainers with organizations like colleges, universities, club teams and tournament operators for short-term, leave, PRN and full-time positions. 

Through the Contract Services branch of Go4, Goucher was able to quickly ink a deal that would allow them to hire two full-time contract athletic trainers through Go4. Without the time and resources to find candidates, this was a model solution for Goucher’s needs throughout the year. 

However, they also needed assistance immediately. Working with Go4’s Success team, Goucher provided their immediate practice and game schedule. This schedule was posted in the PRN feed of the Go4 app, marketing the shifts to hundreds of ATs in the greater Baltimore area. Goucher was able to obtain fill-in ATs to address athlete safety, return to play from summer break, and rehab for athletes with existing injuries. 

Within two weeks, Go4 provided Goucher with several vetted candidates for the full-time positions. Goucher selected two licensed, insured, and nationally certified athletic trainers to work at the school for the remainder of the school year. In addition, administrators at Goucher College opted to bring on one of the ATs who provided PRN coverage part-time to further support the newly contracted full-time staff.