Common Questions and Answers

Q: What is Athletic Training?

A: Athletic Training is the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and the physically active.

1. Prevention: This is the primary goal of Sports Medicine. It consists of designing and implementing conditioning programs, facilities assessments to ensure safe environments for play, application of preventative taping and bracing, administration of fluids, and counseling and education for athletes and coaches, just to name a few.

2. Assessment, Treatment, & Rehabilitation: In the case that an injury occurs, members of the Sports Medicine Program (Licensed Athletic Trainers) can assess the extent of an injury, perform appropriate first aid procedures, and recommend the injured athlete pursue further appropriate medical care if necessary. Once a thorough assessment is done, the necessary treatments and/or rehabilitation can be performed to facilitate a safe and productive return to the sports activity. These treatments may consist of many different treatment techniques, such as: ice, heat, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and therapeutic exercises.

Q: What is the role or duties of an Athletic Training Student Aide? (ATSA)

A: ATSAs assist the Licensed Athletic Trainer in some aspects of Sports Medicine. Some of these duties include:

1. Cleaning & organization of the sports medicine facilities.

2. Preparing and maintaining practice and/or game sites to include water coolers, ice chests, water bottles, towels, medical equipment,

etc.

3. Assist in the application of preventative taping and simple wound care

4. Assist in the first aid of injured athletes.

5. Assist coaches, players, and staff with various duties during practices and games.

Q: What are the time requirements of an ATSA?

A: ATSAs must be able to have very flexible schedules. All ATSAs will work with football team in the fall semester. Some students may work with volleyball, cross country, and tennis as needed. In the winter and spring sport seasons, ATSAs will be assigned to a specific sports team. Some of these sports include Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, and Track. They will follow the same attendance requirements of the student athletes of that team. This will include before or after school practices, games, as well as traveling with that team. This may also include activities on weekends and holidays.

Q: What are some of the benefits of being an ATSA?

A: Some benefits include:

1. Learning skills related to a career in the medical field.

2. Develop relationships with coaches, players, and other Student Trainer Aides.

3. Participation with exciting sports programs.

4. We also try attend at least one “ATSA Workshop” annually at little to no expense to the student.

Q: How is the ATSA evaluated for their grade, letter jacket, and progress in the program?

A: In order to receive a Letter as an Athletic Training Student Aide, you must COMPLETE two varsity seasons. Complete seasons mean that you were academically eligible throughout the entire season and did not have an excess of multiple missed days. Family emergencies and illness do not affect missed days if communicated.

Q: Who supervises Student Athletic Trainer Aides?

A: The Licensed Athletic Trainer employed by Lufkin ISD will primarily supervise ATSAs. In some cases, especially when traveling with teams out of town, the coach of that team will be responsible for supervision of all students. Also on away games, generally, there will be a Licensed Athletic Trainer on site from the home school that can assist the ATSAs.

Q: Are there any costs associated with being a ATSA?

A: The only costs associated with being an ATSA is part of the uniform. We ask all ATSAs purchase athletic shorts for practice and for games a pair of black shorts and/or slacks. ATSAs will be provided at least one shirt, scissors, and training kits & equipment. When traveling with sports teams, especially on long or extended away games & tournaments, the school will provide any meals necessary. ATSAs may want to bring a small amount of “spending money” for "snacks" or "souvenirs" but this is usually not necessary.

Q: What are the academic requirements of Student Trainer Aides?

A: Academic success must be a priority for ATSAs. The number one priority in school is to learn and have academic success. Academic success is vital for anyone interested in going into a medical field as a career. During the selection process, potential ATSAs’ grades will be evaluated. Students with low and/or failing grades may not make it into the program. Once a student becomes an ATSA, then “No Pass, No Play” rules apply to them just like any other student involved in extracurricular activities. In other words, if an ATSA fails a class they cannot participate in “games” for a minimum of three weeks. If a student fails two or more grading periods, they will be removed from the program.

Q: When can I apply to be an ATSA?

A: An announcement will be made during late February/early March letting students know that the application process will be opened. Announcements will be made weekly and/or daily. There will be a deadline. Any students that apply after the deadline will be taken in on a probationary basis, case by case.