Photograph: Eunice High School Football Coach Andre Vige with his daughter Ali Vige. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Contributing Writer
After a game all Eunice High head football coach Andre Vige wants is a win and a hug from his daughter Ali.
And Ali Vige says she’s all in about doing her part to make her father’s postgame experience more palatable.
One of several Eunice High female trainers who assist with injuries and other sideline responsibilities during the team’s games, Ali Vige said she anticipates the chance to spend a couple of hours with her father.
“I wanted to have a bonding experience with my dad. We do things (as trainers) like providing assistance during timeouts, dealing with injuries and bringing them water and fluids,” Ali Vige, a junior who also plays in the Eunice High softball outfield.
Also Ali Vige said there is an underlining reason that she wants to assist with potential injuries and other problems which occur during a game.
“I think I might one day want to become a doctor. I like to help people,” said Ali Vige.
Becoming a team trainer at Eunice High isn’t necessarily an easy qualifying experience, she said.
“Well, to qualify you have to try out and one of the things you need to do before becoming a trainer is know how to wrap an ankle,” said Ali Vige.
Ankle wrapping is a crucial qualification for any team trainer, since the procedure often prevents sprained ankle injuries by providing more support.
Ali Vige acknowledged that she performed a satisfying ankle wrapping audition on a very significant member of the Eunice High football program.
“I showed I could wrap ankles by wrapping my dad’s ankle at home. I did a good job and that allowed me to become a trainer,” Ali Vige said.
Although Ali Vige is normally on the sideline for every play, she knows when to keep her distance when her father is experiencing intense moments.
“I don’t talk to my dad during the game. It’s only afterward when the game ends that I get to meet him and give him a hug,” Ali Vige said.
Andre Vige said however that his daughter has seemingly had an early interest in sports.
“She was a junior high cheerleader. Now she’s a trainer for us and I’m her coach on (the EHS) softball team,” said Andre Vige.
Vige said he didn’t put any pressure on Ali Vige to become a trainer.
“She decided that she wanted to be a trainer and to be honest, that really meant a lot,” Andre Vige said.
