In the News - The NFL and Domestic Violence

One of the big issues among professional sports that has been highlighted in recent media is the issue of domestic violence. On October 7, USA Today published an article regarding domestic and the NFL. The owners of the 32 NFL teams will now be meeting quarterly and the big topic on the next meeting is a discussion on domestic violence prevention.

The commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, stated how he hoped to yield leadership on problems that have recently struck the NFL, especially in regard to domestic violence. During the League's meeting in New York this week they are planning to revisit the personal conduct policy for the players. The meeting is supposed to spark changes in the policy as well as a hope to drive national awareness of domestic violence.

The owner of the Houston Texans, Bob McNair, stated that a member of his family had been sexually assaulted, and after that incident McNair has felt closer to the issue of domestic violence and would like to not only see changes made in the NFL, but hopes to spark changes in society as well. McNair would like to see programs implemented to prevent these issues from occurring.

Below is a timeline calendar from the USA Today article that highlights the amount of domestic violence cases and actions done in the last month.

Domestic violence is an issue that has always been around, but not always publicized. In the last couple of months, there have been many cases brought to the media's attention including Hope Solo, the US Women's Soccer Goalie, and 3 cases from the NFL, Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Jonathan Dwyer. None of these cases are the same, and not all of them are being addressed the same either. I definitely think it is important for the NFL to take a stand and make changes to the current personal conduct policy. So many people follow the sport of football in the fall and by the League taking a stand against domestic violence it could spark more societal action and bring more media and attention to issues of domestic violence. I feel as though some of the athletes may feel invincible because they are a pro athlete and nothing can touch them. They need to face the consequences, if they a found guilty. Especially in the case of Ray Rice; after watching that video I found it very disturbing that he just showed no emotion or care towards what he had done. Athletes need to pay the same consequences as everyone else, just because they are elite athletes does not give them an excuse to get away with domestic violence.

USA Today Article: NFL owners set to discuss domestic violence prevention

In the News - Michigan Football Concussion Dilemma

There has been a lot of buzz about the Michigan football team's staff after their game last Saturday, September 27, 2014 against Minnesota. In the USA Today article it sheds light on the events that happened and how the Michigan Head Coach and Athletic Director are responding to the situation. Earlier in the game Michigan's starting quarterback, Shane Morris, was tackled and suffered an ankle sprain. After waving off assistance from any medical staff he continued to play. A short time later, in the fourth quarter, Morris suffered a blow to the chin. When he got back up he quickly fell to the side and was assisted by his fellow offensive lineman. He was then ushered off the field so the medical staff could take a look at him. The article states that the athletic trainer was unaware of the hit to his head and therefore only performed an assessment on his ankle and cleared him to play. After a couple plays the second string quarterback had his helmet pop off during a play. The coach then called for Morris to return, under the impression that he had been cleared to play. Once the second string quarterback secured him helmet back on, he returned into the game for Morris.

The return to the game started a huge amount of criticism for the football staff to endure, from fans, fellow students, and the announcers. Head coach Brady Hoke issued a statement after the game saying that he would never put an athlete back in the game after enduring a head trauma and that he had been cleared by the medical staff, with no concussion. The athletic director then issued another statement on Tuesday, September 30 that Shane Morris had, in fact, suffered a "probable, mild concussion" and that his return to the field was due to a serious lack of communication. This event has sparked a couple changes that Michigan will make to prevent something like this from happening again. The first is to have a medical professional in the press box or video booth with the ability to communicate with the medical personnel on the sidelines. The second change is that the school will examine and address the sideline communication processes.

With all of the research regarding concussions and football this article and video caught my attention. There is a clear lack of communication on the field that needs to be addressed, especially when dealing with the health and safety of the athletes. No matter what level an athletic trainer is working at, whether it be high school, collegiate, or professional the athletic trainer needs to make sure there are eyes on the field at all times. Working with a Division I football team the game and injuries can sometimes get a little chaotic and stressful for the athletic trainer. There is no possible way that one person can be watching what is going on, on and off the field at all times. This is where having assistant athletic trainers, interns, physicians, and other medical staff can really come in handy. One of those many people will have their eyes on the field and should immediately communicate with the necessary personnel that an athlete needs to be evaluated. Not only should these people be looking out for any possible hits, but the coaches should be aware of them as well and should pull the player aside to be evaluated. Luckily, in this situation Morris was pulled out for the remainder of the game and no additional damage was done. In other situations athletes may not be as fortunate, so this situation should be used as a learning experience for other programs as well.

Article Link: USA Today Article on Michigan Football

(Above is a picture of the quarterback Shane Morris, #7, stumbling into the arms of one of his offensive linemen)

In the News - #HeForShe Campaign

Emma Watson has started an international social media trend with her #HeForShe campaign. Emma Watson is not only a famous actress from the Harry Potter series, she is the UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador who recently gave a gender equality speech at the United Nations headquarters that created quite a buzz on social media. She launched the "HeForShe" campaign in her speech while highlighting the misconceptions of feminism and extending a formal invitation to men to join the movement. This social media trend was captured by an article in the Boston Globe which has only further spread the information to even more people.

In her speech Watson said, "If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by who we are, we can all be freer. And this is what HeForShe is about. It's about freedom." This speech has gathered support from celebrities, notable figures, and other men from around the world. On the website for this campaign there is a "Take Action" page where men can agree to take action and be a part of this movement. So far over 100,000 men have joined the solidarity movement for gender equality from all over the world.

Gender inequality is something that is struggled with daily, especially in the field of athletic training. Traditionally, men have dominated the field of athletic training since sports were predominantly played by men. Coming into the field of athletic training as a female I understand that it will be an  uphill battle. Only in the past 10 years or so, women have begun to break through that glass ceiling. Some professional teams have started hiring female athletic trainers and some women have been promoted to the executive athletic trainer positions at the collegiate level. In order to keep this uphill battle moving a campaign for gender equality was much needed.

The HeForShe campaign aims to end all gender inequality and would have a huge impact in the world of athletic training. This movement would help women continue to break through this glass ceiling in the profession of athletic training. After reading this article and listening to Emma Watson's speech I know now that I am a Feminist. Her closing words, "If not me, who? If not now, when?" it has inspired me to take advantage of every opportunity placed in front of me and has taught me to not be afraid to take a risk.

You can access the article here: Boston Globe Article

To view the HeForShe Website: http://www.heforshe.org/

To view Emma Watson's Address to the UN:  He For She United Nations Speech

Athletic Training Philosophy

Athletic training is an under recognized profession which people are constantly asking me what it is that I am studying. In simplest terms I explain that I work alongside the sports medicine staff to help athletes with injuries sustained while playing sports. In reality athletic training is much more than that.

Athletic trainers are defined as “healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.” The clientele base can range from professional, elite, collegiate, secondary school or youth athletes to dancers, performers, military personnel, etc. Athletic trainers can work in a variety of environments including, but not limited to clinics, schools, corporate offices, and hospitals. Athletic training is a growing profession that is becoming more popular and more needed by people everyday.

As an athletic training student and future athletic training professional, I believe in treating each and every athlete with the utmost respect and best possible care I can give. An athletic trainer must possess many skills and be able to work collaboratively with many different types of health care professionals. As a student with goals and aspirations to work with high-level athletes I believe that communication, patience, wealth of knowledge, and passion are extremely important skills for an athletic trainer to possess.

Communication is a key component of athletic training because of the communication necessary between the athletic trainer and the athletes, coaches, parents, fellow healthcare professionals, and sometimes the community in general. To keep the athletes safe, communication plays a key role in keeping everyone informed on the status of the athlete, so the athlete is not put in harm’s way. It is also important to build a network of healthcare professionals that allows for referral to specialists, like nutritionists, psychologists, chiropractors, etc., so that the athlete can receive the most appropriate and best possible care.

Patience when working with athletes or patients of all ages is a key component of athletic training. A calm demeanor is necessary, especially in emergency situations, not only to keep the athlete calm but sometimes the parents, coaches and teammates as well. Patience is also important because sometimes there are setbacks in the rehabilitation process and can be frustrating not only for the athlete but the athletic trainer too. This allows the athletic trainer to not only reduce their own frustration but also the frustration of the athlete.

At all levels, the athletic trainer is sought out for knowledge on particular topics including concussions, medical conditions, nutrition, specific injuries, and the latest research on all of these topics. These topics are constantly changing and evolving so it is crucial for the athletic trainer to stay up to date in these areas. With the large amount of research available and the publishing of position statements by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), staying up to date on topics should not be difficult. I plan to attend national and regional conferences, as well as taking courses in additional certifications like Graston® technique and strength and conditioning. These will help my stay up to date on the newest research and assist me in answering questions my athletes may have.

Athletic training is a field where they have seen many people experience “burnout.” The long days and hours, and limited vacation time can be a turnoff for most people or keep people from staying in the profession for a long period of time. Passion is what keeps them going. Without a passion or love for what you do, no one can be happy in their profession. Keeping an optimistic outlook on life is why I am happy everyday. I have a passion and love for what I am studying and the field in which I am going to enter. I have a love of sports and caring for people and enjoy making a difference and positive impact in someone’s life. Without passion and love for what one does, one will find it very difficult to be happy. I see myself as a happy and positive person and look forward to continuing to make a difference in athletes’ lives.

In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “ Help others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public service improves lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life.” I believe that the best athletic trainers are those that help others out of the pure love and joy of doing so. This in turn makes it rewarding for the individual. A simple act like a smile of an athletic who is without crutches for the first time or small unexpected “thank you” can make such an impact on one’s life and make caring for people even more worth it. I see athletic training as not only a rewarding profession but a positive impact on my life. Even as athletic training student I have seen these little things and it drives my passion toward being the best and most successful athletic trainer I can be.

Cailey A. Bilodeau Memorial Fund

This past spring semester my graduate athletic training class lost one of our own. She was a strong, courageous, loving and caring individual who was taken from us too soon. She created a huge impact on us all in the short time that we knew her. Our class has put together a site to raise money for a gift to Bridgewater State University where she received her undergraduate degree, competed on the track and cross country teams and had started her master's degree. Please support this cause in remembrance of our fellow classmate and dear friend.

If you have any questions please contact: caileyscholarshipfund@gmail.com

If you would like to make a donation please do so by clicking the link below:

Cailey A. Bilodeau Memorial Fund

WELCOME

Hello and welcome to my athletic training blog site! I am currently a second year graduate student at Bridgewater State University studying Athletic Training. Here are a few picture flashbacks to some of the athletic training experiences I've had so far!

Group huddle before the Big East Championship game vs. Creighton - March 2014

Celebrations in the locker room after winning the Big East Tournament - March 2014

End of the year Men's Basketball Banquet for Providence College - April 2014

with my athletic training instructor Bryn VanPatten

Last game of the 2012 UMass football season at Gillette Stadium

Group shot of the UMass Football Sports Medicine Team - November 2011