THE RESPONSIBILITY IT TAKES TO BE A SAN ANTONIO SPURS TEAM DOCTOR
Being a team doctor for a professional sports team takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication. “The bottom line is when you take care of a professional sports organization, you're on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.” - Dr. Schmidt
Our very own Dr. Schmidt, Dr. Saenz, and Dr. Young are the team doctors for the San Antonio Spurs. They know first hand what it takes! Continue reading to learn more about the availability, flexibility, and responsibility that comes along with being the teams sports medicine physicians.
BEING AVAILABLE 24/7/365
Being a physician for the San Antonio Spurs is more than just being available for game days. You have to be available at all times and be able to switch up your schedule just like that. These are professional athletes who require care on a timely basis so that they are always ready to perform to the best of their ability on game day. Injury and illness evaluations can’t be pushed back 2 or 3 days, they have to be taken care of as soon as possible. Sometimes this means that the day begins at 7 am and doesn’t end until 11 pm.
GAME DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
Our team covers every Spurs home game. There is always an orthopedic surgeon and a primary care sports medicine doctor there.
The doctors usually arrive about an hour and a half before the game begins and stay about an hour and half after the game ends.
They are responsible for checking both locker rooms to make sure none of the players have any healthcare needs. Any acute injury from a San Antonio Spurs player or a visiting team player or even a referee, is taken care of by the team doctors.
These can make for long days, but our docs absolutely love what they do and wouldn’t trade it for the world!