For the first time in roughly a decade, a familiar face along the Bridgeport High School sidelines at Indians’ football games won’t be in place. Recently, long-time Indians’ athletic trainer Teresa Liebig Lunsford resigned from the position after serving the Tribe since 2005.

 

As for stepping down, it had nothing to do with her being unhappy with her position. Instead, her maternal instincts proved to be stronger than any job she enjoyed.

 

“I felt a tug at my heart, as if God was saying ‘there is something greater.’  In 2012, both my boys were in school full-time. I dropped them off, picked them up, and then immediately dropped them off again.  I didn’t get to see how their day went, or what they need to do for homework.  I was cooking dinner in the morning knowing that I wouldn’t be there to eat,” said Lunsford. “Now mind you, I knew all of this was part of the package when I signed up for this career. However, I just couldn’t justify the trade-off any longer.”

 

What that means is someone as associated with the high school on as multiple fronts as anyone in recent memory won’t be in place during the upcoming spring practices and on the sidelines in the fall. Lunsford became well known back in her “Liebig” days and prior to her graduation from BHS in 1991. She played three years of varsity basketball back when freshmen basketball was still played at the junior high on Newton Street. And she was one of the area’s top players.

Thanks to her playing ability, Lunsford was able to compete collegiately at Alderson-Broaddus from 1991 to 1993 where she majored in Athletic Training. In the fall of ’93 she went to West Virginia University to focus completely on studies.

 

“At that time, Athletic Training was not a major so I went majored in Physical Education/Health with an emphasis on Athletic Training.  I finished my studies in Athletic Training in 1997, but had to wait a year before I could sit for my national boards because I had to finish my Physical/ Health Education degree,” said Lunsford.

 

Shortly after graduating, Lunsford opted to remain in school and get a Master’s Degree in Special Education. And in April of 2000, Lunsford passed her national boards to become a Certified Athletic Trainer and graduated with a MA in Special Education with certifications in LD,BD,MI.

 

While getting into athletic training may have seemed to be solely connected to her athletic background, assuming that would only be partially correct. Lunsford said her family history includes a line of medical professionals.  

 

“I had a desire to stay in the sports world somehow, so being an athletic trainer was right up my alley,” she said.

 

Eventually a discussion with her late, great uncle, who just happened to be a Sports Medicine Physician for a college, the decision was made. First, A-B and then WVU were the stops on the academic journey before the journey transformed into a professional one at the high school level.

 

Lunsford’s first job was in 2000 where she was the trainer at Keyser. And she also served as a special education teacher at Keyser Primary/Middle School.

 

“I spent two years there all the while realizing that I had a strong desire to settle down back home in Bridgeport.  The decision was rather easy when I met my future husband, who was from Clarksburg, and we agreed that home is where we wanted to be,” said Lunsford.

When 2003 rolled around, Lunsford was at Bridgeport Middle School as a Special Education Teacher and an Athletic Trainer at South Harrison High School.  She was finally home.

 

“I had the privilege of working under Principal Carole Crawford at the middle school and Coach Brad Jett at South Harrison,” said Lunsford.   

 

She would remain as the trainer in Lost Creek for two years. In 2005, the position of trainer opened up at her alma mater and she knew it was where she needed to be.

 

“My dream of becoming an athletic trainer at my alma mater was realized. I would be working with (former) Coach Bruce Carey,” said Lunsford, who was still at BMS as an educator at this time.

 

While the dream job was in place, life threw her a curve ball. Her first son was born prematurely during the football playoffs.

 

“It was an extremely difficult time. I had a commitment to this football team and BMS, but knew where my presence was needed. So, I became a full-time mother while being an athletic trainer for four, five months out of the year,” said Lunsford. “In 2007, I had another son born pre-maturely.  With the help of my husband, mom and mother-in-law, I was able to continue working as a trainer.  I had it in my mind that I could do this for the next 20 years.”

 

As it turned out, it would be less than 10 years from that point – and coming back this year wasn’t an easy decision. The good news is that the decision to stay for 2013 meant that she goes out saying her last year was a championship season.

 

“Personally, I had to make sure that my decision was the right one for me. I turned out to be right.  This year, Bridgeport High School won the Class AA State Football Championship. But for me, it just sealed the deal and leaving on a high note was the best way I could have left.  I love being an athletic trainer but my family comes first,” Lunsford said.

 

While this fall will be the first time in roughly a decade she won’t be on the sidelines, it will mark the first time in nearly 15 years she won’t be actively participating as an athletic trainer.

 

“Even though I knew what I had to do, it was still not an easy decision. I had built relationships over the past 14 years with athletes, parents, coaches, other medical personnel,” said Lunsford. “That is what I will miss … I will always look back with fond memories.  Who knows what the future holds, you just might see me again, as I have two sons who will graduate from Bridgeport High School.” 

 

Editor's Note: Photos of Teresa Lunsford by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.