Over seven million student-athletes participate in high school and college across the American landscape.
That number takes an even striking hike upward when you add middle-school-aged athletes participating in school-sanctioned, AAU and travel-sport sponsored events.
At a given moment – usually in the month of May when multiple sports are engaged at Bettendorf, Iowa-based Pleasant Valley High School – Jason Viel, MS, LAT, ATC, and Director of Athletic Training Services for Rock Valley Physical Therapy – will have approximately 600 athletes actively participating in one day.
As skilled healthcare professionals – 70 percent who boast master’s or doctorate degrees – ones who provide injury-prevention services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions, certified athletic trainers are a valued piece to a school’s overall puzzle.
“We, the profession, have made some great strides over the last few years,’’ said Viel, nationally recognized, who serves as president of the Iowa Athletic Trainers Society.
A DeWitt, Iowa resident, Viel did his undergraduate work at Central College of Pella, Iowa and earned his master’s degree from Indiana State University. “At the high school level, 5-to-10 years ago, only 44 percent of high schools across the country offered any athletic training services of any kind.’’
Strides have, and continue to be, made on all athletic training fronts. Viel lauds school districts that make the commitment to have a certified athletic trainer on staff.
“We can keep the majority of our injured athletes in class and those athletes can get their treatment during the day – before school, after school, lunch hour, whatever,’’ Viel said. “Those ATCs treating athletes, keeping them in class, reduce the cost of healthcare for the families. It’s a benefit for the school to have those kids in school and a benefit for the family – when needed — to keep healthcare costs down.’’
Having a certified athletic trainer on board goes beyond trainer and athlete.
“There is knowledge and there is treatment,’’ Viel said. “And then there is the network, whether it be a physical therapist, a general practitioner or an orthopedic specialist. If the athlete needs care beyond, we are there to assist.’’
The state of Iowa, Viel says, has taken a large step to assure safety for the athletes in its schools with its implementation of the Rural Healthcare Bill.
“This embraces smaller communities,’’ he said. “It allows up to $50,000 in college loan reimbursement for those making a length-of-time commitment to a district and the district working to match funds from its community. It works amazingly for rural schools, your Class A, Class 1A and Class 2A schools. This is a positive step.’’
Those who deal with certified athletic trainers know first-hand its benefit, especially on the coaching front.
“(Certified) athletic trainers – Jason Viel in our case – are an integral part of our team,’’ said Rusty VanWetzina, head varsity football coach for Pleasant Valley High School. “He is a member of our staff and vital to what we are trying to accomplish. I can only speak for football, but I’m sure the feeling is the same with all our programs in that we could not do what we do without Jason. ‘’
And many others like him across the athletic landscape.
By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller