Behind the Scenes

ECU Athletic Training Program

By: Sarah Campbell

Posted: 10/10/06

ECU offers students a wide variety of programs in order to meet their personal and academic goals. One of these programs is the athletic training program. Students involved in the program are introduced to learning techniques, which include class work, shadowing and hands-on participation with the ECU athletes.

One of the visible places to run into an athletic training student is on the sidelines at an athletic event, such as football, swimming or soccer. The students involved in the program are assigned to one sport for the entire semester. This entails attending practices and games aside a certified athletic trainer and working with the athletes.

The hands-on experience the students receive while working with ECU athletes allows them the necessary knowledge and skills needed in order to pass the National Certification Exam. Once they pass the exam, students become Board of Certification athletic trainers and are fully equipped to obtain a job in the field of athletic training.

"My schedule right now is up every morning at 4 a.m. to be in the athletic training room by 5 to set up for morning practices. I attend classes in the morning and return to the athletic training room in the afternoon through the evening for practices or weights," said senior Michele Latimer, co-president of the Athletic Training Student Club, of her typical day.

Students involved in the program can also gain social fulfillment through the Athletic Training Student Club, which allows them to participate in a vast range of social and educational situations. The club has about one formal meeting a month and a variety of meeting opportunities in between.

One of the group's claims to fame includes volunteering in programs such as Adopt-A-Highway and Adopt-A-Family. In Adopt-A-Highway, the students are responsible for keeping a portion of Tenth Street free of pollution. Money is raised to buy gifts and essential items to a local family through Adopt-A-Family.

After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the ATSC collected a number of supplies for the athletic training program at Southern Miss University.

Besides volunteering, you can see this group of around 25 students working concessions for the home volleyball matches as well as playing ball boys and girls for the women's soccer team during matches.

This year the organization is interested in implementing an outreach program for local high school students in order to raise awareness and interest for the athletic training program.
It may seems like this group is all work and no play, but they find time to wind down through cooking out, tailgating, movie nights and bowling nights.

They also enjoy an annual trip to the Mid-Atlantic Training Association conference in Virginia Beach, VA. During the conference, students learn about various topics and present case studies of injuries they have encountered.

The mission of the ATSC reflects the overall goals of the Athletic Training Program by providing students with the understanding of the commitment to individual athletes as well as the community, which essential in pursing a career in the field.

This writer can be contacted at pulse@theeastcarolinian.com.