A new sports medicine concentration will benefit both the university and the community as students earn their certification by working as trainers at area athletic events. Offered in the Department of Physical Education, Health Education and Recreation, the concentration serves as an internship for athletic trainer certification. Funding for the training is provided by Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian and Oktibbeha County Hospital in Starkville. According to program director John Lamberth, the hospitals provide funds for graduate assistants who already are certified trainers, enabling them to earn a master's degree and work as athletic trainers at the same time.
Undergraduates earn their certification by working with the graduate students.
Most of the area high schools lack a certified athletic trainer, so the schools benefit from a student's donation of expertise while the student earns a degree and meets certification requirements. Students in the program, which began in the fall, do more than just tape up players before sporting events. All must be certified in CPR and first-aid procedures. Many are emergency medical technicians. Plus, as part of the program, they present injury prevention programs at the various schools.