WASHINGTON AND LEE ATHLETIC TRAINING

INTRODUCTION:
The Washington and Lee University Athletic Training staff consists of four athletic trainers, all of which are certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association – Board of Certification (NATA-BOC).

The athletic training staff supports all 23 of W&L’s varsity level sports.  The fall sports teams that are covered are football, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s equestrian riding and golf.  In the winter, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming and wrestling are supervised.  In the spring, the athletic training staff then turns its focus to men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, baseball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and golf.    

ROLES AND GOALS OF AN ATHLETIC TRAINER:
The goals of an athletic trainer are:  to prevent, educate, assess and document injuries and/or illnesses, provide adequate first aid and emergency care, setup appropriate rehabilitation programs, and offer counseling opportunities to athletes.

To become a certified athletic trainer, one must be enrolled in or have completed an accredited program that has class work that includes anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, health, exercise physiology, basic and advanced athletic training.  Upon completion of that program, the NATA-BOC certification exam must be successfully passed in order to attain the Certified Athletic Trainer credential.  One may work in many fields, such as high schools, the college or university, industrial or hospital settings, etc.   

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Individuals may shadow the Generals’ athletic training staff and help with W&L’s varsity athletics if they so choose.  The opportunity to work one-on-one with intercollegiate athletics is limited and the experiences of observing how an athletic trainer carries out their duties is quite rewarding.  You may also be able to learn when, why and how therapeutic modalities, taping and bracing techniques, and rehabilitation exercises are given or used.  If you are interested in observing the W&L athletic training staff, please contact Josh Williamson (williamsonj@wlu.edu) or ext. 8690).