NEWS STORY

July 6, 2010
By DENNIS MAHONEY dmahoney@pioneerlocal.com

The Illinois Athletic Trainers Association and IHSA know an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

That's why the two organizations are helping bring preventative health care into the 21st century by co-sponsoring an ambitious project called the 2010 National Secondary School Athletic Healthcare Conference that will be Web cast live 2:45 p.m. July 15.

Coaches, athletic directors, trainers, and parents can access the conference at five sites throughout the state, including Wheeling High School, Hinsdale Central High School, Neuqua Valley High School, Herrin Hospital, Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville, and Carle Clinic in Champaign.

The interactive program will originate from Louisiana, headed by Louisiana State University professor Ray Castle. Glenbrook South athletic trainer Brian Robinson is a member of the five-person committee that put the project together.

Topics on the agenda include: Comparison and Effectiveness of Various Sports Equipment in Preventing Injuries; Current Trends in the Prevention and Treatment of Sports Related Concussions; Managing Heat Related Illnesses in High School Athletics; Evaluating Dietary Supplements for Safety and Usage; Detection of Cardiovascular Disease in Secondary School Athletics; Demonstrating the Need for Appropriate Medical Coverage through Value Modeling; and Using Student Aides in an Athletic Training Program.

Admission to the event is free.

"This was really Ray Castle's brainchild. He's the one with the Internet savvy," said Robinson. "Last year they started a big push to put more athletic trainers into the schools in Louisiana, and the local conference was such a success they decided to take it to the next level. A lot of states still don't require certified athletic trainers in the high schools and we're still fighting superintendents who say they can't afford it.

"Some view having trainers as a luxury. We view it as a necessity."

While the focus of the conference is more for trainers, coaches and administrators, Robinson believes parents can benefit from attending, too.

"Obviously the hot topic right now is concussions," said Robinson, who came to GBS in 1977 as one of the first full-time trainers in the state. "There's a lot more info out there that's available now. I know there are parents out there who'll say my kid never lost consciousness, so how is that a concussion? I think parents can get some good, basic guidelines and the more educated parents are, the safer their kids are."

"The conference is a tremendous opportunity for athletic training staffs, coaches and administrators to learn about current trends and techniques in athletic healthcare," sad IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson. "To be able to partner with the IATA to bring this conference to our membership is special for our association. We appreciate all that the IATA does for our member schools, and we are thankful to have such a good working relationship with them."

For more information, visit www.nssahc.squarespace.com 

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