Helping to keep athletes safe

Involvement in sports can increase a person’s physical coordination, fitness and self-esteem, and it also teaches many life lessons about teamwork and self-discipline. But it’s important that schools always keep athletic safety as their top priority.

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) created its “Safe Sports School” award to recognize schools that are committed to safe sports. The award champions safety and reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.

Columbus Community Hospital’s growing team of athletic trainers has a long history of providing quality health care to several schools in and around the Columbus area. The trainers work together with athletes, coaches and doctors to keep all athletes safe and ready for competition.

Out of the 14 area schools the hospital’s athletic trainers serve, four schools have received the prestigious Safe Sports School honor from the NATA.

“The health and safety of student-athletes is critical, as it has both long-term and immediate effects,” said Rob Marshall, director of athletic training services and the Columbus Fieldhouse. “We’re proud to see the list of award recipients in our area continue to grow. Schools see the immense value in holding themselves to the best practices and policies that ensure a high standard of athlete care.”

Under Marshall’s leadership, Columbus High School was the first secondary school in Nebraska to receive the award in 2014. For more than nine years, the school has continued to maintain its safe sports practices and serve as a leader for athletic safety across the state and Columbus community.

Then, in 2020, Lakeview High School, Scotus Central Catholic and Schuyler Central High School also received the award.

Andrew Sheridan, ATC, is the primary athletic trainer for Scotus Central Catholic and serves as a committee member at the district level for the award. According to Sheridan, less than 10 schools in Nebraska have received the Safe Sports School designation.

“It’s pretty cool that four of those schools receive athletic training services from our team,” Sheridan said. “It’s a clear representation of how serious our athletic trainers, hospital, schools and community take athlete safety.”

In order to achieve Safe Sports School status, athletic programs must do the following:

• Create a positive athletic health care administrative system.
• Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations.
• Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities.
• Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment.
• Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes.
• Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions.
• Provide or facilitate injury intervention.
• Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan.
• Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education.
• Educate athletes and parents about the potential benefits and risks in sports, as well as their responsibilities.

Both Sheridan and Marshall agree that it’s an honor to receive the Safe Sports School award and ensure the same level of care for athletes across the Columbus-area high schools.

“All of our area schools and athletic trainers are very deserving of this award,” Marshall said. “Our team not only provides highly skilled services, but also builds positive relationships with athletes, coaches and families. We’ve earned their full trust and support, because they know we have the kids’ best interests at heart.”

 “We are very blessed to serve those people and receive the thanks they give us,” Sheridan added.

To learn more about Columbus Community Hospital’s athletic training services, visit columbushosp.org.