SECONDARY SCHOOL Athletic Trainers Committee (SSATC)

The Mission of VATA SSATC is to enhance the quality of health care and public awareness of the athletic training profession in the secondary school setting.

Latest News

SSATC chair John Reynolds interviewed by Washington DC news station about the Concussion Law

Fairfax County Athletic Training Program coordinator Jon Almquist interviewed by Washington DC news station

Shane Caswell, VATA Region 1 representative and professor of athletic training at George Mason University, was interviewed along with John Reynolds on WAMU radio

Calling all secondary schools athletic trainers! The SSATC needs your help. We especially need VATA members to serve as a resource for public schools implementing new concussion policies and procedures. Members from all areas of the state are encouraged to volunteer, but we especially need people in the southwest and northwest parts of Virginia.

A commitment to active participation and the ability to attend 1-2 meetings a year are strongly desired. Interested individuals should contact John Reynolds.

Guidelines for Concussions in Secondary School Student-Athletes

The Department of Education has just published the finalized guidelines, which will take effect July 1, 2011. Download the Guidelines (pdf)

Now that the Board of Education has adopted the concussion guidelines, local school boards can begin the process of developing concussion policies for local school divisions.

As with all other legislative mandates, the State School Board Association will develop and distribute model policies to local school boards to assist them in developing their concussion policies.

This is a great opportunity for athletic trainers to take a leadership role in protecting student health and safety! This concussion law provides school-based athletic trainers with an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate our value as medical professionals and the critical role we play in concussion management. Please review the presentation from the 2011 VATA annual meeting (pdf) for additional information.

Remember that the Virginia licensed athletic trainer is recognized as an "Appropriate Licensed Health Care Provider" under the Board of Education guidelines which grants you the authority to provide written return to play clearance. Please review the complete definitions for "Appropriate Licensed Health Care Provider" and "return to play" contained in the guidelines.

Questions/comments/concerns: please do not hesitate to contact John Reynolds.

NATA Secondary School Awards & Scholarships

NATA Secondary School Gatorade Service Award
The NATA Secondary School Gatorade Service Award was created to annually recognize a certified athletic trainer, at the secondary school level, who has provided outstanding service and dedication to his/her school. This not only focuses on athletic health care but also involvement with the general school community functions.

Jack Cramer Scholarship
In conjunction with the NATA's Secondary School Athletic Trainers Committee, one two thousand dollar ($2000) scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving high school senior who is planning to embark on a career as a certified athletic trainer in a high school setting. The award will be paid directly to the institution that provides an approved curriculum that enables the candidate to sit for the Board of Certification examination.


NATA Statements

For a full list of the NATA’s Position, Official, Consensus and Support Statements, visit: http://www.nata.org/statements/

NATA's Career Development Resources

NATA's career development resources includes:

• Appropriate Medical Care for Secondary School-Age Athletes Consensus Statement and Manuscript
• Position Proposal and Position Improvement Guides
• Athletic Trainers: Value for your School presentation
• Many more items of interest to secondary school athletic trainers

Learn more >>