April 17, 2015

Happy National Athletic Training Month!

As you may know, March is National Athletic Training Month.  As expected this month is a big month for the LSU Athletic Training Program.  One of the ways the program worked to spread awareness was holding an event for the kindergarteners from the LSU Lab School.  Clinical Coordinator and Associate Athletic Trainer Michelle Collins was the mastermind behind the entire event.  More than 100 students came to the PMAC to learn about athletic training from students, staff, and athletes. The kindergarteners were split into groups and visited different stations positioned throughout the women's basketball practice facility and the Broussard Athletic Training Room.  The stations included taping, spine boarding and splinting, agility, rehab, stretching, a tour of the Broussard Athletic Training Room, and more! Women's Basketball's Anne Pedersen even came to help teach the kindergarteners about the agility drills she does during practice.  The children learned what exactly athletic trainers do and all of the skills required to be an athletic trainer.  It was an education and fulfilling experience for all involved.  The children really enjoyed being able to use all of the equipment, be taped, and do the drills that LSU athletes do.  Micki Collins did a fantastic job of organizing the event and it was a great way to celebrate National Athletic Training month.




Soles4Souls Shoe Drive


During this month, to help promote National Athletic Training Month, our program is participating in a shoe drive called Soles4Souls.  Soles4Souls is an organization that is fighting the impact of poverty.  They are collecting new and used shoes to help poor communities get back on their feet and help create self-sustaining jobs for countries that are unable to generate personal income.  Our program is trying to reach out to anyone looking to get rid of used shoes to donate them to this organization and help fight to "wear out poverty." Please spread the word and help us join the fight and help this organization with some generous donations.





February Student of the Month

Congratulation to Courtney Burress, our February Athletic Training Student of the Month.  Courtney is a first year student here in the Athletic Training Education Program and works with LSU's Track and Field.  She is constantly working hard in and out of the athletic training room.  Derek, the head athletic trainer for Track and Field, was asked about her contributions to this sport.  He simply replied, "Courtney is a hard worker as well as shows great initiative and assertiveness.  She has a bright future ahead of her in athletic training."  Keep up the good work Courtney and congratulations again!