LOGAN, Utah – The role athletic trainers and sports medicine staff play in the health of student-athletes is paramount as they adjust to a college environment that includes rigorous in-season and off-season training.
You could even say it’s life-changing.
All athletic trainers have the same goal. Our mission is to provide the best possible environment for student-athletes to receive optimal health care. In doing so, they focus on sports injury prevention, assessment, management, treatment, rehabilitation and overall health.
“Everyone at Utah State University understands the important role our sports medicine team plays in caring for our student-athletes every day,” said Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Diana Sabau. . “They are the unsung heroes of our athletic department, and their impact on our student-athletes is immeasurable.”
Utah State Athletics’ sports medicine team is comprised of 11 full-time athletic trainers led by Mike Williams, associate athletic director for sports performance health and wellness, two resident athletic trainers and four team physicians. It has been. Their overall mission is to provide a high standard of care and keep everyone safe and healthy who participate in USU intercollegiate athletics.
And they provide this care every day of the year.
“Utah holds a special place in my heart,” Williams said. “I went to school here and have worked at USU for most of my career. Our student-athletes are great people to work with. They are great at practice, strength and conditioning, and competition. It’s a year-round event, so there’s a lot of stress.”My staff and the entire sports medicine team take pride in helping our students compete at their highest level on the field and in life. Like the teams around us, with recent advances in our department and an influx of administrative support and resources, our goal is always to look forward to increasing the support services and resources we provide to our student-athletes. I am. We are at the top of the conference when it comes to caring for our student-athletes. ”
Importance of sports medicine
Sports medicine personnel help student-athletes avoid injuries by providing guidance and injury prevention strategies. We also diagnose and treat injuries and provide specialized care.
In addition to their traditional roles, sports medicine personnel also oversee student-athlete nutrition and mental health. Sports medicine personnel help student-athletes improve their performance by creating individualized training programs, providing nutritional guidance, and educating them about the importance of rest, recovery, and reporting potential injuries. can.
“Our sports medicine staff is amazing and great to work with,” gymnast Brianna Brooks said. “Throughout my career, I have been able to undergo rehabilitation and treatment to feel better and keep my body healthy to compete at the highest level possible. One thing is a game changer and has a big payoff.”For me personally, it’s different. ”
The importance of an emergency action plan
In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities, Utah State Athletics Sports Medicine Officers also oversee emergency action plans for all student-athletes in collaboration with USU Police Department, Logan City Police Department, and Cache County Search and Rescue. .
These plans include steps such as who will accompany the student-athlete to the hospital after an injury, who will notify the family, and who will meet with the family.
Sports medicine staff have utilized USU’s Emergency Action Plan many times over the years.
On December 4, 2012, a male basketball player suffered a complete cardiac arrest during practice. The athlete was immediately treated by Williams and others, who performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administered an electric shock to his heart with an automated external defibrillator (AED).
On March 23, 2023, Williams and his staff once again faced a life-saving situation on the football field when a football player suffered a sudden non-traumatic cardiac arrest during spring practice. He was immediately treated by USU sports medicine staff who performed CPR and used an AED to shock his heart back to normal rhythm.
In both situations, the quick actions of USU’s sports medicine staff likely saved lives.
On October 4, 2024, Aggie punter Stephen Kotsanly broke his leg during a football game inside Maverick Stadium. Kotsanly credits USU’s sports medicine staff for his recovery.
“Having the resources and expertise of the sports medicine staff has been critical to my recovery and return to competition process, and I am very grateful for it,” Kotsanly said. “It was amazing how quickly I received care after my injury. From the time they took me to the hospital to the entire recovery process, our sports medicine team coached me and helped me get through certain miles. It helped me get to Stone. I can’t go back to my old life.” I’m competing at my level in the field without the resources that were given to me. ”
annual training
With all the demands and worst-case scenarios placed on sports medicine personnel, all athletic trainers are required to know CPR, how to use an AED, and how to administer first aid in order to become certified. Their certification is renewed annually.
Plus, know everything from preseason physicals to first aid, injury treatment and diagnosis, laboratory tests, therapeutic interventions, when and how to refer, to management and professional legal responsibilities. There is a need. To become a certified athletic trainer, an athletic trainer must complete a certification curriculum and pass a national certification exam.
Advantages of working in the sports medicine field
Athletic training as a career certainly has certain benefits. This expert provides instant feedback to help student-athletes succeed. Sports also provide those involved with an adrenaline-filled environment that most jobs don’t provide. And no two days are the same.
You may be able to be a hero and save lives, but the reality is that working in the sports medicine industry requires you to be ready at a moment’s notice to perform at the highest level of your profession. .
