After more than 20 years of taping ankles, Tracy Coffman has ripped off her last piece of tape. From calming players before games with her soothing voice and cheering on the sidelines, Coffman is finally putting away her medical kit. 

She has always supported every Highlands’ team, even on the chilly football nights in October or the volleyball games in the hot gym. She was always ready with a smile, some advice, or a helping hand when things got tough.

 Now that she’s retired, it’s hard to picture the sidelines without her. Players and coaches agree that Coffman’s care and dedication made a big difference, and she will be truly missed.

“If I could thank Tracy for one thing, it would definitely be taping me whenever I was hurt,” Jack Heilman said. 

Coffman is a caring, compassionate person who was the athletic trainer at Highlands for 25 years. She has a degree in Pre-Medicine from Thomas More University, and she now works a full-time job at St. Elizabeth. 

Jack Heilman (12) had one of the closest relationships with Coffman, she greatly impacted his career path.

“Tracy’s impacted my career on and off the field because she’s kind of influenced me in getting into sports medicine for college, to be either an athletic assistant or an athletic trainer,” said Heilman (12).

Another person that has been impacted by Coffman’s care is Bella Thomas (10). Bella recently injured her ankle, and Coffman has helped her through the recovery process and helped her return to the court. 

“I just recently sprained my ankle so I was down in her office all the time but it was really nice she was always there and she would always tape my ankle and give me exercises to do and it was just very nice,” said Thomas (10).

Max Merz (12) had a close relationship with Coffman as she made a big difference in his football career. Merz knows that Coffman played an important role in his athletic career at Highlands.

“She has impacted my career on and off the field by keeping me safe for every practice and game … and I never felt worried about asking her for help cause I knew she would always be willing to do it for me,” said Merz (12).

In addition to her kindness, another characteristic that sets her apart is her professionalism. Basketball coach and science teacher Kevin Listerman worked with her for 12 years and noted that trait.  

“I would say professional in the way that she handled things in terms of making sure that all the details were paid attention to and met,” said Listerman. 

Coffman also affected former athlete Kelsey Etherton, who is now a Math teacher and the girls head soccer coach. She saw past Coffman’s trainer position and viewed her as more.

“I think because I had a close relationship with Tracy, she was always that adult female figure to me.
I think I’m going to miss that type of presence,” said Etherton.

The Highlands Athletic Program’s environment was greatly impacted by Coffman’s resignation. Ava Muzumdar (12) recognizes how the absence of Coffman might affect the athletic program.

“I do think that people stepping in will be beneficial to the program and I assume they will kind of run things the way that she did… a lot of people were comfortable with her,” said Muzumdar said. 

Many have also talked about how knowledgeable Coffman was, and how she always had high standards.

“You know, she had things pretty well oiled down there in terms of getting kids out and taped and onto the field,” Listerman said.

One thing is for sure, the legacy Coffman left at Highlands is positive and immense. 

“Tracy left a legacy of affecting everyone, every athlete that she helped in a positive way and just always being willing to do anything that the athlete needed to that day for her to help with what she could,” Merz (12) said. 

Even though Coffman is gone, the coaches and athletes are still very grateful for her time here and everything she’s done for Highlands. 

“She meant and took care of so many kids for so long that really it’s a testament to the type of person she is and her character. And she doesn’t get enough thanks and recognition,” Listerman said. 

Others thanked her for many different things. 

“I guess just always being here and available in moments of need or struggle with athletes like any sport she’s normally at the event…but her kind of always being there and like knowing the solution or knowing how to help is kind of a good comforting face whenever you’re going through an injury,” Muzumdar said.