About Athletic Training
Our Mission
Azusa Pacific University (APU) athletic trainers seek to be a community of
disciples and scholars who serve the athletic department and its
student-athletes by providing the highest quality of prevention, evaluation,
treatment, rehabilitation, and management of athletic injuries while being good
stewards of the supplies and facilities that the university has provided.
Our Purpose
The Athletic Training staff in the Athletics Department and the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at Azusa Pacific University (APU) are responsible for the coordination of health care to the student-athletes within the intercollegiate athletic program. Included in this responsibility are various administrative and clinical duties carried out by the Athletic Training staff.
The administrative duties include determination of athletic medical clearance, development and implementation of an emergency medical plan, medical record maintenance, compiling injury statistics, instituting medical coverage and staffing policy as it relates to practices and events, and budget management for the Athletic Training Room (ATR). Clinically, the staff is responsible for the prevention, evaluation, management, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. This also includes coordination of physician referrals, determination of participation status, and the counseling and education of student-athletes. Additionally, the Athletic Training staff coordinates health care of student-athletes relating to general medical illnesses and conditions as they may affect athletic participation; this involves referrals to the Student Health Center, Counseling Center, or other off-campus health care providers.
What is an ATC?
Health
Care for the Physically Active
Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) are health care professionals who specialize
in the prevention, recognition, evaluation, assessment, immediate care, treatment,
rehabilitation, and reconditioning of injuries to athletes and those engaged
in physical activity. ATCs are also responsible for the organization and administration
of the above mentioned care as well as professional development and responsibility.
Certified athletic trainers contribute to a cost-effective health care system by emphasizing injury prevention and injury evaluations that prevent unnecessary trips to emergency rooms and unnecessary x-rays. Through aggressive rehabilitation, they focus on restoring patients’ good health and ability to participate.
Certified athletic trainers work with secondary school interscholastic athletic programs, intercollegiate athletic programs, professional athletic teams, corporate heath programs, sports medicine clinics, physicians’ offices, health clubs, and industrial health programs.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Inc. (NATA) is the largest organization representing athletic trainers. NATA Board of Certification certified athletic trainers have met educational and experiential requirements and have passed a competency examination. Certified athletic trainers use the abbreviation ATC.
Athletic training is an allied health care profession recognized by the American Medical Association. Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, usually in athletic training, health, physical education, or exercise science. In addition, athletic trainers study human anatomy, human physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, athletic training, nutrition and psychology/counseling, orthopedic evaluation, immediate care, therapeutic exercise, injury prevention and risk management, and therapeutic modalities. Certified athletic trainers also participate in extensive clinical affiliations with athletic teams under appropriate supervision.
Certified athletic trainers practice the art and science of athletic training under the direction of a licensed physician.
Athletic Training Program History
The Athletic Training Program was developed and designed by Dr. Susan L. Hebel in 1983 as an internship program through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Inc. The first graduating class in 1986 had six students, including Cindy Tanis who remained with the program after graduation as a graduate assistant. Cindy worked as the head athletic trainer for two years, and in 1988, became the program director. In 1991, Azusa Pacific University hired an additional certified athletic trainer, Sue Sutherland, who became the assistant athletic trainer. In 1994, Sue Sutherland was promoted to head athletic trainer, and Cindy Tanis continued on as the program director. Liana Musso graduated in 1995 and stayed on as a graduate assistant from 1995-97. In 1997, Cindy Tanis resigned from the program after having her third child, and APU hired Dr. Cindy McKnight as the program director. At this point, the Athletic Training Education Program was developed and the current curriculum was instituted. The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) became a part of the Physical Education Program and the Athletic Training staff worked in conjunction with the Athletics Department.
In August 1997, Craig Faith was hired as the head athletic trainer. He resigned after the 1998-99 school year and April Reed, '95, M.S., was hired as the head athletic trainer in August 1999. Also in August, a new full-time assistant athletic trainer position was created and Kalan Cavasoz, M.S, was hired. In August 2003, another assistant athletic trainer position was created and Sean Gateley, M.S., was hired. In the summer 2005, Kalan Cavasoz resigned and accepted a position in his native state of Hawaii. Kimberly Duskin was hired as assistant athletic trainer in August 2005.
Athletic Training Education Program
The
Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Athletic training
is an allied health profession dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
of injuries to athletes and the physically active. Students studying this field
at APU will complete course work in the areas of first aid and CPR, risk management,
assessment and evaluation of athletic injuries/illnesses, therapeutic modalities
and exercise, pharmacology, general medical conditions, health care administration,
and research. In addition, students will complete clinical experiences with
a diverse population of athletes and the physically active at numerous clinical
sites in the practical application of learned skills and knowledge. The ATEP
is designed to be completed in four years, which includes three semesters of
pre-requisite course work and clinical observation and five semesters of professional
course work and clinical experiences. Students who transfer, or participate
in intercollegiate athletics, or whose time may be limited for other reasons,
should anticipate additional academic time necessary to complete the
major.
The requirements of the major are consistent
with the recommended standards established by CAATE. Upon completion of the
ATEP, and university requirements, students will be eligible to sit for the
National Athletic Trainers' Association Board
of Certification, Inc. examination to become a certified athletic trainer
(ATC).
