For many years, Jessie Glass had a steady presence as the Bellwood-Antis athletic trainer – taping ankles before games, checking in after practices, and knowing every athlete by name.
It would take a special person to replace a trainer of that experience and quality.
Turns out, it took a Superman.
Bellwood-Antis recently welcomed a new trainer, Superman Berrow, and like the famed Man of Steel, he has been there in times of need for B-A athletes. When he came on in the fall sports season, the district didn’t have an official trainer.
Now, as the new trainer settles into the role, the community is adapting to give Superman (yes, that’s his real name, listed on his birth certificate) a warm welcome.
“The student-athletes at B-A really enjoy Superman and his main trainer Angel Lazu,” said Bellwood-Antis athletic director Charlie Burch. “He also has his wife Nicole and a student trainer Noah involved. They have done an amazing job here at B-A and we hope to work out a deal for many years to come”
So far, Superman has been a good replacement because of his experience in his field. He has been an ATC for 17 years working with various high-profile teams and organizations like the University of Kentucky, Shenandoah University, Rutgers university, the University of Florida, and Penn State. He also has experience on the professional level, having worked with the Chicago Bears.
During his playing days at Central Hardin High School in Cecil, KY, Superman was a multi-sport athlete playing football, wrestling, and track. He has also done quite a bit of schooling, totaling almost 8 years to earn a Master’s degree with Doctorate in athletic training on the way. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky before attending Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA for his Master’s.
Not only does Superman work for Bellwood, but he also works for a company called B4 Club Therapy, which is not an easy task at all.
“I wake up super early to get organized and my support team (my beautiful wife) keeps me in line and organizes my schedule. Bellwood can be demanding at times so catering to everyone’s needs sometimes at once can be difficult,” he said.
The name recognition of his company put him on B-A’s radar at a critical time during football season. Glass had recently left, which left the school without a trainer during a very busy fall sports season.
“I reached out to Superman Berrow on a whim that he could be interested in helping out here in Bellwood-Antis,” Mr. Burch said. “I knew he was the trainer at Claysburg and I took a shot that he would want to expand. I emailed his business and responded a couple hours later and we got the ball rolling on a deal to make him our athletic trainer.
Superman is growing into a Bellwoodian. He lives here and helps out with little league football and wrestling. His wife is a 2009 graduate, and her grandfather, Ray Ammato, used to be the president of Antis Township.
Superman’s goals are to learn the coaches styles and learn all athletes’ names, but he also wants to modernize the job at B-A.
“I also want to figure out a way to become digital in the training room, so no one has to fill out any forms, and I can donate all the filing cabinets to make room for more rehab equipment,” he said.
Seeing that Superman is a pretty busy man, he will be having Lazu (assistant director) work at B-A as an athletic trainer. He will also have Adilyn Georgio (PSU intern), and Noah Ritchey (Assistant therapist).
Lots of athletes are already warming up to him and are enjoying having him as their trainer, like junior basketball player Brady McConnell, who said he hasn’t been to see Superman much but “he seems nice and good at his job.”
Colin McClellan thinks he’s been doing a good job so far. “He’s pretty cool and does his job well,” he said.
All in all, Superman has a bright future here at Bellwood and we’re hoping he stays for a while.
