Athletic Trainer with MLB Roots Brings Big League Care to Eagle River and Three Lakes

Chad Spaulding won five minor league championships in the 1990s while working as a certified athletic trainer (ATC) for the Kansas City Royals organization. Now, he’s supporting high school student athletes in Eagle River and Three Lakes as a member of the Aspirus Northland Orthopedics team.

From the first kickoff of the high school football season to the final out of the baseball season, Spaulding will provide athletic training coverage for Northland Pines High School and Three Lakes High School. With the fall sports season recently concluding, Chad has already been integral in providing athletic training services for volleyball, cross country, soccer, and football games. He will continue to provide support throughout the winter sports season, which includes coverage for hockey, basketball, and wrestling.

Spaulding earned his degree from Carthage College in Kenosha and shortly after, he began working with big league stars in the Royals’ organization including George Brett, Johnny Damon and Carlos Beltran. He’s excited to bring his championship pedigree to the experienced group of athletic trainers at Aspirus Northland Orthopedics. “I wish everybody could go to a pro sports team right away because it really teaches you work ethic and chain of command,” he stated. “Having spent several years working with professional athletes, I’m looking forward to applying that experience at the high school level and helping these athletes not only perform at their best but stay healthy and safe throughout the season.”

Athletic trainers play a vital role in the health and well-being of athletes of all ages and levels. They are healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating sports-related injuries. They work closely with coaches, medical staff, and athletes to develop injury prevention strategies, treat injuries on-site, and provide rehabilitation services when necessary. For high school athletes, having access to an athletic trainer ensures that potential injuries are addressed immediately, preventing further complications and allowing athletes to return to play as safely and efficiently as possible.

"Chad’s extensive background in athletic training, including his time with the Kansas City Royals, makes him an invaluable asset to our team and to the schools we support,” said Kendra Glebke, Manager, Aspirus Northland Orthopedics. “His knowledge of injury prevention, treatment, and recovery will not only support the athletes at Northland Pines and Three Lakes but will also help raise the overall standard of care for student-athletes in the area. We're thrilled to have him join our team.”
Spaulding is from Greenville, Wis., near Appleton, and during the baseball offseason, he’d spend time at his family cabin in Pickerel snowmobiling and working part time as an athletic trainer in Rhinelander, Elcho and Three Lakes. After leaving professional baseball, he spent 16 years as an athletic trainer in Wautoma, Wis. and Rockford, Ill. He’s excited to return to the area. 

“I always wanted to get back to northern Wisconsin,” he said. “I’m thrilled to join the experienced Aspirus Northland Orthopedics team and to be able to contribute to the health and safety of student-athletes at Northland Pines and Three Lakes.” 

His experience with professional athletes gives him a unique perspective on sports medicine and injury management, skills that he will now apply to high school-level athletics. His ability to assess, treat, and prevent injuries ensures that student-athletes at Northland Pines and Three Lakes can perform at their highest level, with the confidence that they are receiving top-tier medical care.

Aspirus Northland Orthopedics athletic training high school coverage includes Mariah Oemig (Crandon), Chad Spaulding (Northland Pines and Three Lakes), Brianna Verhagen (Laona/Wabeno), Zach Furtak (Lakeland Union), Jim Nesbitt (Phillips and Tomahawk), Ethan Willey (Rhinelander), with support from Eric Prom and Cassie Semon. For more information about Aspirus Northland Orthopedics or to schedule an appointment, please visit aspirus.org.