Northern Tioga Sports Medicine

Mission Statement

The mission of the Sports Medicine Department is to enhance the quality of health care for all Upper School student athletes within the Northern Tioga School District through prevention, assessment, first-aid, recognition of injuries, and treatment of those athletic injuries.

What is an Athletic Trainer? **Courtesy of Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Association (PATS)**

Athletic Trainers are multi-skilled health professionals who hold a college degree from an accredited college/university and are trained to provide services for those who are physically active. At this time, Athletic Trainers (AT’s) have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree; however, more than 70% of nationally certified athletic trainers have master or doctoral degrees. The education of AT’s is steeped heavily in the basic and applied sciences, such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physiology, Anatomy, Psychology, and Sociology. There also is a strong clinical internship requirement for all Athletic Training Students (ATS), mandating experience under a nationally certified athletic trainer.

Athletic Trainers are educated to function within the scope of practice that includes at least 12 competency areas published by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).

Foundational Courses Professional Courses

Human Anatomy and Physiology Risk Management and Injury/Illness Prevention Weight Management and Body Composition

Exercise Physiology Pathology of Injury/Illness Psycho-social Intervention and Referral

Kinesiology/Biomechanics Assessment and Evaluation of Injuries/Illness Medical Ethics and Legal Issues

Nutrition General Medical Conditions and Disabilities Pharmacology

Statistics and Research Design Therapeutic Modalities Professional Development and Responsibilities

Strength Training and Reconditioning Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation Acute Care of Injury and Illness

Health Care Administration

To become certified as an athletic trainer, students must pass a 3 part comprehensive test administered by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification (NATABOC). An athletic trainer cannot practice without being certified by the NATABOC. Once certified, they must complete at least 80 continuing education units every 3 years to remain certified.

The Role of the Athletic Trainer

Certified by National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), an Athletic Trainer is a member of the allied health community whose role is to care for and help prevent athletic-related injuries under the direction of a licensed physician. 

The priority of the Northern Tioga district Athletic Trainer is to provide on-site care for as many sports as possible within the district.  Because of limitations, there may or may not be an Athletic Trainer available for all sports contests.  Due to the high risk of severe injury, Junior Varsity and Varsity games will have coverage for all home games. Travel will occur for Varsity Football only.

If any athlete is injured during athletic participation, he/she needs to be evaluated by the athletic trainer.

Bill Frye, ATC

Laurel Health Clinical Out-Reach

Head Athletic Trainer

Northern Tioga School District (NTSD)

Email: bill.frye@ntiogasd.org

Phone: 814-258-5115 x3408

Bill Frye has been the Head Athletic Trainer since 2009. A graduate from Lock Haven University (2001), Frye’s primary responsibilities are to cover all sports at Williamson, Elkland, and Cowanesque Valley High School’s. Frye is employed by Laurel health Systems in Wellsboro, PA. Frye currently is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ). Bill is also Instructor certified in CPR and First-Aid through the American Heart Association (AHA). Frye is currently the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Association County Delegate for Bradford County.

Coverage

Practices and games are covered through a rotational and as a needed basis depending on injuries within a team. The rotation often will be changed due to any acute injuries that may occur in that day. The Athletic Trainer does not travel with any sport with the exception of football. If a team makes playoffs, the Athletic Trainer may travel depending on any home events within the district on that day.

Northern Tioga School District Athletic Training Room Hours/Treatment Schedules

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Arrive within the district around 12pm

Tuesday and Thursday: Arrive within the district around 11am

Saturday: To Be Determined as per schedule

Sunday: No coverage’s

Most treatments and evaluations will be performed during the academic day unless arranged with the athletic trainer beforehand. All treatments and evaluations will be organized by the Athletic Trainer or Nurse. If a student gets hurt without the Athletic Trainer’s knowledge, that student can either have the school Nurse, Coach, Athletic Director, or school Secretary contact him/her during the day so the Athletic Trainer can make arrangements to meet up with that athlete. All injuries must be reported to the athletic trainer for evaluation and follow-up purposes

Williamson Athletic Training Room Equipment

There is no Athletic Training Room at Williamson High School but there was a space made in the fitness center that has been designed to help rehabilitate our injured athletes as well as prevent future injuries. The Athletic Training Room allows our athletes to perform their rehab exercises, given by the ATC, with the use of equipment and modalities to help further the recovery time.

This equipment includes:

· Treatment/Taping Table

· Ankle Weights

· Hand Weights

· Resistance Tubing and Bands

· Step-Up boxes

· Individual Rehabilitative Exercise Programs

· Exercise bikes, elliptical trainers, treadmills

· Cybex Strength equipment

The training room offers many modalities such as:

· Hydrocollator for moist heat (Nurse’s office)

· Ice machine (Cafeteria)

Elkland Athletic Training Room Equipment

The Athletic Training Room is located next to the concession stand by the gymnasium. The Athletic Trainer’s “District Office” is located in the Athletic Director’s room next door to the Training Room. Elkland High School is the hub for the Sports Medicine Department due to the location which is roughly in the middle of the district. The Athletic Trainer’s office is used mainly as an office and storage place for equipment and supplies that get distributed throughout the district as per needs.

The Elkland Training Room has:

· Treatment/Taping Table

· Bosu Ball

· Medical Supplies

· Resistance Tubing and Bands

· Step-Up Boxes

· Weight Room

· Proprioception Discs

The Training Room offers many modalities such as:

• Hydrocollator for moist heat
• Ice Machine
• Electrical Stimulation Unit
• Ultrasound
• Cryocuff

Cowanesque Valley Training Room Equipment

The Athletic Training Room is located by the vending machines near the boy’s locker room.

The Cowanesque Valley Training Room has:

· Treatment/Taping Table

· Medical Supplies

· Resistance Tubing/ Bands

The Training Room offer Modalities such as:

• Hydrocollator for moist heat
• Ice Machine (Cafeteria)

Northern Tioga School District Athletic Training Procedures for Parents

• Please understand that the Athletic Trainer is responsible for EVERY athlete in the district, so there may be times that the ATC will not be present at the time of the injury.

• In the event a doctor visit for an injury, encourage physicians to write a note stating when they can return to play. An athlete CANNOT return to play without a doctor’s note stating that he/she can return to participation with no restrictions ** Please remember, the ATC has final call on whether an athlete can play or not **

• If your child sustains an injury of any kind, please contact the Athletic Trainer to let them know. By contacting the ATC, the recovery stages can be set forth quicker which means a quicker recovery and return to play. The first 48 hours are key for any injury type. See above for contact info

Professional Links

National Athletic Trainers’ Association www.nata.org

Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association www.goeata.org

Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Association www.gopats.org

Laurel Health Soldiers and Sailors Hospital www.laurelhs.org

American Heart Association www.americanheart.org