Bart Stewart has been the Athletic Trainer at John Handley High School for 20 years.

A 1998 graduate of Hampshire High School in Romney, West Virginia, Bart was a three sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of New England in Henniker, New Hampshire where he was a Dean’s List student athlete competing as a guard in basketball.

Bart earned his Masters Degree in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine at Shenandoah University. He has been a Clinical Instructor for the graduate students at Shenandoah University for 18 years.

Athletic Trainers assist coaches in planning the training program for the conditioning of athletes. They develop programs to assist in the prevention, treatment, and reduction of injuries and in the rehabilitation of athletes who have been injured.

Bart has helped mentor countless students. He has worked with student athletes from every sport at John Handley High School.

Following an injury, a trainer and the athlete work together to develop a program of exercises and drills to recover range of motion and develop strength. Rehabilitation can be painful and grueling for the athlete. Bart has worked to help Handley student athletes recover their strength and also to help restore their confidence.

Reed Prosser, Director of Student Activities at Handley, has stated, “While the training room is not a classroom, Bart has positively impacted 350 kids a year for the last 20 years. His worth to our kids is immeasurable.”

Bart wrote, “The staff and community members associated with Handley are a big reason why this place is so special. It is a pleasure to work with the student athletes and watch their success both in the sport and hear their success stories beyond Handley High School.”