Athletic Training

What is athletic training?

Athletic training is an allied health profession, which deals with the care of the physically active. Athletic trainers are specifically educated in prevention of athletic injuries and to recognize, evaluate, and assess athletic injuries. Athletic trainers provide immediate care to injuries as well as provide appropriate treatment and rehabilitation to those injuries if the need arises. At LaGrange College, the athletic training staff's mission is to provide the best possible care to the student-athletes at LaGrange College.

Forms

New Student Athlete Form
Returning Student Athlete Forms

Videos

NCAA Drug Testing Video
The Student-Athlete with the Sickle Cell Trait
Concussions: Don't Hide It, Report It, Take Time to Recover

Athletic Training Room Rules

Report all injuries and illnesses to the training room.
Be on time for treatment. Being late for treatment or a doctor's appointment will be treated the same as missing a practice.
The athletic training room staff reserves the right to refuse treatment if a student-athlete is late or misses pre-practice treatment.
Wait your turn. Not everyone can be helped at the same time.
Do not operate any equipment in the athletic training room.
Do not wear cleats or spikes or bring playing equipment in the athletic training room.
Do not remove supplies from the athletic training room without permission.
The athletic training room is not a lounge.
The student-athlete should allow time prior to practice for treatments, rehabilitation, and taping. The athletic training room staff will not be responsible for the student-athlete being tardy to practice due to treatment in the athletic training room.
All student-athletes will provide a detailed medical history as well as personal insurance information.
All student-athletes must undergo a physical examination by the LaGrange College team physician. A record of this exam must be on file with the head athletic trainer prior to participation in practices or games.
Any changes in medical history, insurance coverage, or ability to participate should be reported to the athletic training staff.
The student-athlete's personal insurance is the primary provider for all injuries and illnesses. If the injury is directly related to intercollegiate participation, LaGrange College is the secondary provider. The LaGrange College policy does not cover pre-existing injuries or non-athletic injuries.
The team physician and head athletic trainer have the final authority to restrict a student-athlete from participation for medical reasons.
The student-athlete bears all costs associated with any expenses that might occur because of the pre-participation examination.
A second opinion may be obtained only with the knowledge and consent of the head athletic trainer. LaGrange College will not be responsible for any cost associated with an unapproved second opinion. Treatment for injuries seen by unapproved second opinions is at the discretion of the head athletic trainer.
The athletic training room staff is here to serve the student-athlete. We will treat the student-athlete in a professional manner and expect the same.

Athletic Training Hints

If you become injured, report the injury to the athletic trainer.
Do not neglect injuries. With proper, EARLY treatment, you can limit the severity of your injury and be able to return to full activity quickly. However, you must come to treatment in order to do so.
Respect pain. Pain is your body's way of telling you that you are injured; your body is hoping that you will slow down your activity until your body has healed. If you continue to play and the pain increases or does not settle down, stop playing. Everyone knows athletes compete with pain – it is important to learn the difference between minor pain from a minor injury and the pain of a major injury. It is also important to learn the difference between soreness and pain.
It will take more than one treatment to recover from an injury. Follow the treatment and rehabilitation plan initiated for you to return to your sport as quickly and as safely as possible.
When arriving in the athletic training room for treatment, ask what you should do. Before leaving the athletic training room be sure to determine when you need to come back (post practice, the next day, and/or later in the week). The athletic training staff will not chase student-athletes down to ensure compliance with treatment, treatment protocols, and appointment schedules. The staff will inform head coaches when student-athletes are not in compliance.
If you are undergoing a rehabilitation program, it is essential that you do your exercise as painlessly as possible. If you continue to exercise despite pain, you are making the injury worse, or at a minimum, delaying healing. Progression of resistance should be made under the supervision of the athletic training staff. A good rule of thumb is to progress in a step-wise manner. For example, for heavy weights, try to go up in weight one set at a time instead of waiting to increase weight until all sets can be lifted at a higher weight.
If you have a nagging injury that becomes painful or swells after activity, it is helpful to apply ice to the area. Take the time to ice for 20 minutes. This time investment now might allow you to continue to participate while neglecting the injury might cause you to miss time.
Heat applied to a new injury may increase swelling and make the injury worse.
Wounds occurring in athletic settings often become infected. Make sure all wounds are thoroughly cleaned properly and treated to prevent infection. If the wound becomes swollen or red, show an athletic trainer immediately.
Medication is sometimes necessary to aid recovery. Popular over-the-counter medications include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, Nuprin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). The proper dosage for ibuprofen is three 200mg tablets three times per day with food. The proper dosage for naproxen sodium is two 220mg tablets two times per day with food. Never mix these medicines together and do not take more than the recommended amount. More is NOT better.
Good stretching and warm-up can make your body flexible and prepared for vigorous activity. Not only does stretching reduce injuries, it can permit you to perform better. Preventing injuries is easier than treating injuries.
Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after practice and competition. Hydration is very important in preventing heat illness and assuring optimal performance.
Do not attempt to move an injured athlete. Moving a teammate may cause further damage and injury to an already serious condition.

Visiting Team Information

The athletic training staff welcomes you to LaGrange College. We will try to do everything in our power to help make your stay here an enjoyable one. We would like to outline some of the services available to you and your student-athletes.

A Certified Athletic Trainer will be available at all events.
Water and cups will be on the bench and injury ice will be available.
The athletic training room will be open before and after events as well as other times if special arrangements are made.
Please call ahead of time with any special instructions if no athletic trainer will be traveling with your team. Please furnish your own supplies.
The physicians on call will be the Southern Center for Orthopedics at 706 884 2691. All of the physicians in the LaGrange College referral system will also be at your disposal.
The local hospital is the West Georgia Medical Center. The emergency department phone number is 706 845 3706.
Locker rooms and shower areas are available. Please bring your own towels.

The athletic training room is located in the Callaway Education Building on the Callaway Campus. Modalities available include cold, heat, whirlpool, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and intermittent compression. Please send written instructions if a certified athletic trainer will not be traveling with your team. Every effort will be made to accommodate treatment needs; however the athletic training room is not adjacent to all competition sites, specifically basketball, cross country and football. If you are unable to travel with your team please give a copy of this letter to the head coach. This information applies to all sports at your school who may be visiting our campus as well. If we can answer any questions or help you in any way, please call. The athletic training room number is (706) 880-8099. Good luck and we look forward to seeing you.

Emergency Plan | Lightning Policy

Staff

Rob Dicks, MAT, ATC
Dicks joined the Athletic Department in August 2001 as assistant athletic trainer and was named the head athletic trainer in 2007. He is now Director of Athletic Training and Compliance Director.

He graduated from Valdosta State University in May 2001 with a B.S. in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training and completed his Masters in Arts of Teaching in 2004.

He first came to LC as an intern during the spring of 2001. He also interned with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May 2001 and the Atlanta Falcons in the summer of 2001.

He is certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification and licensed by the state of Georgia.

Rob, a native of Augusta, Ga., is married to the former La'Shanda Collins and they have two daughters, Zykeria and Zakiya.

Erika McKinney, MS, ATC
Erika begins her third year in the athletic training department at LaGrange College. The Tiffin, Ohio native is a 2006 graduate of Otterbein College with Bachelor of Arts degrees in athletic training and health education. She received her Master of Science in Exercise Science from Marshall University in 2008.

At Marshall, Erika was a graduate assistant athletic trainer working with swimming and diving, soccer and tennis. She also worked with the professional indoor football team, the Huntington Heroes, as an assistant athletic trainer.

Erika is certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification and licensed by the state of Georgia.

Erika is married to Matt McKinney.

Matt McKinney, MS, ATC
Matt begins his second year in the athletic training department at LaGrange College after working for Piedmont College for three years.

The Westfield, N.C. native is a 2005 graduate of High Point University with a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training. He received his Master of Science in Exercise Science from Marshall University in 2007.

At Marshall, Matt worked with football and volleyball. He also worked with the professional indoor football team, the Huntington Heroes, for one year.

Matt is certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification and licensed by the state of Georgia.

Matt is married to Erika McKinney.

Links

National Athletic Trainers' Association
Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association
Georgia Athletic Trainers' Association
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Georgia Board of Athletic Training