NSU Horizons Fall 2007

10 horizons spotlight In today’s academic arena, athletics plays as prominent a role in an institution’s recruitment of students (including non- student-athletes) as does the institution’s academic programs. Athletic training/sports medicine is a significant component of a modernized athletic program. Most athletes whether novice, collegiate, or professional, real- ize that their athletic prowess is no longer based simply on ability. Body conditioning is also a key component. For an athlete, it is critical to understand one’s body and the exercises and nutrients necessary to keep it healthy and less prone to serious injury. Athletes and athletic programs turn to individuals who are trained and certified to assist them in reaching their peak performance levels. An athletic trainer (AT or ATC) is a highly trained and nationally certified individual who is responsible for clients’ health and who sometimes has to make quick decisions that could affect the health or career of clients. The term “trainer” is not to be confused with “athletic trainer.” There is significant difference between the two and the terms are not interchangeable. ATs or ATCs are trained in areas including injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/ illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition. They are required by a governing board to pass a rigorous exam before they are allowed to carry the designation AT or ATC. Beyond these prerequisites, more than 40 states require ATs or ATCs to be state licensed. NSU has the largest athletic training staff in the Sunshine State Conference and the uniqueness of having a Sports Medicine Clinic in the same facility. Additionally, we have the only Sunshine State athletic department with a full-time strength and conditioning coach and two graduate assistants. In 2002, Larry Starr was named NSU’s assistant athletic director for sports medicine by the athletic director, Mike Mominey. Starr has an extensive background in athletic training and sports medicine. His introduction to the athletic training profession came as a freshman in high school (Carrollton, Ohio) when he became interested in a Cramer Chemical Company summer correspondence course for “student trainers” previously taken by his older brother. After high school, Starr attended Ohio University (OU) and worked under Al Hart, the OU head athletic trainer, who became his mentor. After working at the university level for three years and completing his master’s in education degree, Starr was hired as the head athletic trainer of the Cincinnati Reds Professional Baseball Club. As he explained it, “Twenty-one years and four World Championships later, I moved to South Florida to become the head athletic trainer of the Florida Marlins. Nine years and one more World Championship later, I retired from professional baseball to take my present position as assistant athletic director of sports medicine at NSU.” Horizons : How does your program assist in improving an athlete’s performance? The mission of the athletic trainer is to give the student- athletes the greatest opportunity to perform at their best every day. Although the level of performance is dictated by genetic skills, those skills can be enhanced and maintained It’s Not Just A Game By Felecia Henderson