Knoxville Hospital and Clinics Dr. Tim McCoy will serve as an Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Boys State Wrestling Tournament Physician for the 21st time.   

For 21 years, Dr. McCoy and MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center physician Dr. Dennis Zachary have held the role. As a tournament physician, Dr. McCoy is present for the entire tournament, where he oversees the athletic trainers, assists in emergencies and assessment of injuries, and occasionally takes care of spectators in the stands.

 Before becoming a tournament physician, Dr. McCoy had years of experience caring for athletes, serving as the team physician for Lincoln High School in Des Moines. When the former tournament physician retired, leaders at the athletic association inquired about them taking over the role. Dr. McCoy tells KNIA/KRLS that he enjoys working the tournament every year.

“It’s exciting. They pack that arena. There are a lot of emotions: anyone from the wrestlers, the cheerleaders, the family, and the coaches. It’s quite an experience. The head table I’m at is kind of above so I can look around and see everything. You can see the family members cheering and the other ones who are sad because they lost. It’s a lot of emotions, but really a lot of fun.”

The Iowa High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Tournament runs February 19-22 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. As a Family Medicine provider at KHC, Dr. McCoy provides treatment of illnesses and injuries, health screenings and tests, physical exams, well-child and adolescent care, chronic care management, preventive care, sports medicine care, and other health care needs. Hear more from McCoy on an upcoming Let’s Talk Knoxville.