REINFORCING RESILIENCE ATHLETIC TRAINING STUDENT ASSOCIATION EDUCATES STUDENTS AND SUPPORTS ATHLETES WORDS Olivia Cook I I PHOTOS Kazu F,g'isawa The Athletic Training Student Association (ATSA) included athletic training majors who were involved in programs across campus to serve athletes. According to Brian Cox, director of athletic training and ATSA sponsor, students had to do clinicals each semester. Clinicals consisted of learning through hands-on experience by shadowing a preceptor through their athletic events and work. They were then assigned an athletic trainer on staff to work with. Cox mentioned that the athletic training department was transitioning to a graduate program. According to Harding's accreditation agency, if universities wanted to offer an athletic training major, then it had to be a graduate program. "It is what we.call a 'three plus two' program which means students will be in undergraduate courses for three years, then their fourth year they won't be a senior in college, they will be a graduate student," Cox said. "So, in five years, they will leave with their master's in athletic training." Sophomore Mason Hutto was in his first year of the program. He was assigned to the women's soccer team in fall 2017 and reported to Harding in early August to become certified in CPR and treating blood-borne pathogens. According to Hutto, the students were each assigned to a different sport to focus on different injuries. For example, lower body injuries were more common in soccer, upper body injuries in volleyball and baseball, and a collision sport like football brought its own unique problems. Each semester, the students observed a different sport with a new athletic trainer and completed a rotation at a local high school. "In the beginning of the program, you do basic things such as taping ankles and massaging sore muscles," Hutto said. ''As you progress in your classes, then you get to work with the bigger injuries." Sophomore midreceiver Hunter Cook, said he appreciated ATSA trainers being at his games. Cook visited the students in the program multiple times a week for rehab. ''As a football player, [I] really enjoy having members of the [ATSA] out at our practices and games," Cook said. " [I] like having them out there because it gives me a sense of security. I appreciate all that they have done for me and for all of the athletes." I Senior Alize Boatright assesses and treats an injury of junior defensive back Brandon Brice at the First Security Stadium on Nov. 4, 2017. Members of ATSA were aware of each injury and treated the athletes accordingly.// Photo by Kazu Fujisawa )> --i I r m --i 0 Cf) I\) c.n co
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