Longtime cross country and track head coach Marvin Smith knows the hassle of ordering support braces for athletic injuries out of a catalog. Smith, who retired as a full time teacher at Iola High but continues to coach, was among several area coaches visiting the clinic at Iola Respiratory and Home Medicine Wednesday.
Iola Pharmacy invited coaches Wednesday to review its line of products.
“You have a kid turn an ankle or something and have to order out of a catalog, It’s tough. You just hope you order the right size and it gets here in time before the kid has to run again,” Smith said.
“It’s good to have the supplies here in town. There’s a nice selection and they are here to help us.”
Jacey Combs, a respiratory therapist, and Jennifer Foster, a durable medical equipment specialist, worked with coaches throughout the day. Marv Taylor, representative of Mueller Sports Care, was on hand to demonstrate how the sports braces and supports work.
“When I played at Iola High, our ankles were wrapped tight with tape. The braces weren’t as good as they are now,” said Jim Bauer, pharmacist and one of the owners of Iola Pharmacy.
“Last year from the beginning of the football season, it was like a M.A.S.H. unit. We thought it would be good for all the area high school and community college coaches to know what we offered in braces, wraps and supports.”
Coaches from Iola, Humboldt, Moran, Yates Center, Colony, Burlington, Chanute, Erie, Eureka, Fort Scott, Garnett, Le Roy and Uniontown were invited to come. Also coaches from Allen Community College, Fort Scott Community College and Neosho County Community College received invitations.
“I came up to see what they had,” said David Taylor, Humboldt High head basketball coach and assistant football coach. “This is a local resource for all the schools, the kids and parents.
“It’s convenient for us to be able to come right up here and get what we need immediately.”
Combs pointed out that individuals involved in activities such as sports and cheerleading will receive 25 percent off on braces, wraps and supports for the 2012-2013 year.
“They need to bring in a roster with their name on it and they get the discount,” Combs said.
Wednesday afternoon, there were Iola High football players and a cheerleader who came in and “modeled” some of the braces and other items.
