(Submitted by Mike Godfrey, Otsego and Eastwood PA sports announcer)
As a behind the scenes, yet omnipresent, professional, Otsego’s athletic trainer, Jen Mag brings a positive and supportive energy to the athletes and community she’s served for over 27 years.
Mag, a 1991 Findlay HS graduate, describes the Otsego community as “awesome” and supportive.
“The support I received from here early in my career made me not want to leave. That support continues on today. The people here are genuine and care like no others. I truly feel blessed by the amount of kindness shown to me over the years.”
Described as fun, approachable, knowledgeable, dedicated, and caring by coaches, administrators and past athletes, Mag, a 1995 BGSU graduate, works tirelessly to assist Otsego athletes heal and to return to action. “Watching an athlete come back after an injury and seeing teams celebrate even the smallest victories” brings Mag the biggest joy.
Otsego Hall of Famer and former head boys basketball coach Jim Bostdorff said, “She’s on top of her game as an athletic trainer. I found her to be a ray of sunshine daily. Her personality makes them comfortable with her, which puts them at ease that they’re in good hands. She has a wealth of knowledge to get injured athletes back on the field or the floor as soon as possible.”
Kylee (Bernthisel) Dennison, a 2012 Otsego graduate, former athlete, and a current athletic trainer at Concordia University, credits Mag with the inspiration to become an athletic trainer herself.
“She is truly every athlete’s biggest fan and always has a smile on her face. And that is something I will never forget that Jen taught me and something I try to do every day as an AT (athletic trainer). I saw how much everyone just loved her and trusted her, and she was someone who I truly looked up to. I knew I wanted to do something like that when I got older.”
Mag, by far the longest serving athletic trainer at the same school in Wood County, said she “thoroughly enjoys and am humbled when an athlete comes back years later and shares with me the impact that I made on their life.”
Joseph Dzierwa, a 2022 Otsego graduate, an All-Ohioan in football and baseball, and an All-Big 10 pitcher at Michigan State, added, “Jen’s approach stands out because she combines support with skill. In addition to treating physical injuries, she builds motivation and fosters a positive atmosphere. Her caring attitude makes her an invaluable resource. Jen has helped my family in many ways. She assisted my dad during his stroke, addressed my sister’s injuries, and provided treatments for my brother and me.”
While no two days are alike and certainly not dull, Mag, who must do 50 hours of continuing education every two years for her national certification in addition to other educational updates, can put in from 40 – 60 hours per week during the school year treating athletes, consulting doctors, covering athletic contests, doing endless paperwork, and stressing the value of communication.
She communicates to athletes that they need to “realize that you need to fuel your body properly to play at an optimum level. You will never see them putting regular gas in a formula one car. Get your sleep to allow your body to have the time to rest and repair itself from the strenuous activities of that day.”
For parents, Mag, a parent of an Otsego freshman multi-sport athlete, advises, “Let your athlete learn to be their own advocate. These are important skills that they will use in their future. Don’t get so over involved in what they are doing. If they want to play, let them realize they have to do the extra work on their own, not because you tell them to.”
In regards to coaches, Mag said they “have so much more on their plates now” than in the past “when a head coach could actually coach, but now they are more of the program director for their sport.” She encourages new coaches to communicate their expectations, realize their team isn’t the only one in the district, and to “take good care of your athletic trainer” with team swag.
Justin Slauterbeck, Otsego’s former athletic director, said, “She genuinely loves what she does. Her heart is always in the right place and her love for Otsego pours through her every day. She is one of the best in the area and holds a lot of respect with area athletic trainers.”
Mag is one who goes all in on anything while seeing and taking advantage of opportunities. In addition to her work at Otsego, Mag worked as an athletic trainer at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs during the summer of 2002, at the1998 Transplant Games in Columbus, and at many various tournaments and events. Maybe fittingly, due to her schedule, Mag’s husband, Scott, surprisingly proposed to her in the middle of the football field prior to a game in 2006. With all she does, a big challenge with her busy schedule is a “work-life balance.”
As Dzierwa noted, “She often goes above and beyond to ensure that athletes receive the best care support. This dedication is evident in the extra time and effort she invests in each individual.”
Bostdorff concluded, “She is a fixture in Otsego athletics. She has touched and helped a long list of Otsego athletes in her time here. I was blessed to be able to work with her, and Otsego is blessed to have her all these years. She’s the best.”
