Athletic Training Honor Society Chartered at SLU

Saint Louis University has been granted a charter in Iota Tau Alpha. The NATA recognizes Iota Tau Alpha as the National Honor Society for Athletic Training Education. The society was created in 2005 by John Anderson at Troy University for students pursuing a degree in athletic training. Currently, the society has chapters at 29 schools and over 500 members.

The Alpha Iota chapter of Iota Tau Alpha conducted its first initiation ceremony at SLU on Thursday, April 30, 2009.

The Objectives of Iota Tau Alpha are:

• To function as an honor and professional society for students of Athletic Training Education
• To stimulate interest, scholarly attainment, and investigation in Athletic Training Education
• To promote the dissemination of information and new interpretations of the Society's activities among students of Athletic Training Education
  

The chapter officers are: Kemba Noel-London (secretary), Leslie Stovall (president), Keri O'Keefe (vice president) and Jacob Blasingame (treasurer)


Dr. Mark Reinking, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, had a few words of wisdom for the initiates just prior to the ceremony.

J.J. Hannigan signing the Roll Book.

Receiving pins from Leslie Stovall, Chapter President.

Great Day at the Ballpark!

On Wednesday, April 22nd, students from our program received a "behind the scenes" tour of Busch Stadium.

The tour was hosted by St. Louis Cardinals Athletic Trainers Greg Hauck and Barry Weinberg. They gave us an extensive tour of the Cardinals Club House, Weight Room, Athletic Training Room and the Dugout.

They also gave our students important insight into life as a professional sports athletic trainer. As you can see in the pictures, it was a beautiful day, and we all had a great time!

The Cards beat the Mets that night 5-2.

Busch Stadium is also hosting the MLB All-Star Game this summer.

Student Association Gains Full Charter from SLU Student Government Association

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Society (SLATS) was awarded a full charter from the SLU Student Government Association (SGA). With the advent of the Athletic Training Education Program the student association was reactivated from and older group that was inactive. SLATS applied for reactivation and went through a short probationary period. They were fully chartered on April 1, 2009. All SLU Athletic Training Students are eligible for SLATS, which has 40 members in this, its first year.

SLATS officers: Ilene Chambers, Heather King, Kellie Black and Eric Sass.

Program Faculty Awarded Research Grant

The faculty of SLU Athletic Training Education Program applied for and was awarded a research grant by the Mid-America Athletic Trainers' Association (MAATA). MAATA is also known as District V of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. Darcy Downey is the primary investigator in the project titled: "Self-Efficacy, Locus of Control and Coping: Do These Factors Affect a Student’s Ability to Pass the BOC Examination?"

The project will use an on-line survey of students who have taken the Board of Certiification (BOC) Exam within the past year, looking at psychological factors and success on the BOC exam.

Congrats Darcy!

Obi Obadike, Greg Plitt and Bryan Thomas at The Arnold Classic!

I know this post comes a little late so you will just have to keep the saying "Better Late then never"in mind as you read this.

This was my 3rd year attending the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio(Mar 6-9 2009) and I gotta say that each year this event leaves me blown away! Now as a 110% all natural Athlete/Fitness model I also have to say that I leave The Arnold with many questions that I want to ask the man/my idol Arnold Schwarzenegger himself.

I am not one to judge what other body builders or fitness models do to achieve their physique or look down on them because of it. well maybe just a little! But I do have a problem when impressionable kids are in the mix of things. I am not going to get too into how i feel on this post as in some ways I have to watch what I say as I don't want to offend anyone. ok scratch that I always speak my mind...

Basically to some things up and to be fair to everyone I am going to ask that we as a society place more emphasis on the Natural body builders,fitness models, and athletes. Not just for ourselves but for the younger generation. As this is tuning into a national epidemic!

I think magazines such as Muscle&Fitness need to use more guys who are that...Muscle&FITNESS! Fitness does not come in a bottle(or a needle) and it is not being the biggest leanest guy at the gym. It is a combination of proper training,cardio,weights,sleep and most importantly nutrition. If your mind is not as strong as your body then you are one weak person. I can guarantee that at the end of the day when "those guys" go home and look in the mirror they only see one thing..Muscles! They also see a person who has Cheated!

This is a subject matter that I could go on for days talking about and I would love to hear your thoughts as well so we can come up with a solution. maybe I will start a post on my free Yahoo Fitness Health group here.

But in the mean time I wanted to post a pic of myself with 2 of the industries top male fitness models Greg Plitt and Obi Obadike. These two guys are prime examples of what true Natural Health & Fitness looks like!

Cheers to a truly healthy mind, body and soul!

Bryan Thomas

Women's Final Four in St. Louis a Great Experience!

On Tuesday April 7, 2009, the NCAA women's basketball season came to a conclusion at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Congratulations to the University of Connecticut Huskies as they finished an undefeated season by beating the Louisville Cardinals.

Our staff and students had a great time serving as the medical staff for the event!

Check out a short "behind the scenes" video on YouTube.

Medical team picture before the final:
FRONT ROW - Heather King, Ilene Chambers, Kellie Black and Darcy Downey
BACK ROW - Eric Sass, Dr. Tony Breitbach, Dr. Matt Matava, Dr. Paul Nativi

Congrats to Zach Miller!

Zach Miller, a freshman Athletic Training major and baseball player from O'Fallon, MO, was named Atlantic 10 rookie of the week for the second consecutive week and the third time total this season.

For the year, Zach leads the team with 40 RBIs and is tied for team-high honors with six home runs. He is second with a .368 batting average and leads the team with a .605 slugging percentage.

To read more click here.

Fox 2 Story Highlights Athletic Training

Athletic Training and SLU were featured on Fox 2 on the morning of April 6th. Dr. Tony Breitbach was interviewed by Elliot Weiler.

See the story here!

Field Set for 2009 Women's Final Four!

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Education Program serves as the host athletic trainers for the 2009 Women's Final Four in St. Louis. We are very excited about this opportunity! Congratulations to the participating teams....the University of Connecticut Huskies, the University of Oklahoma Sooners, the Stanford University Cardinal and the University of Louisville Cardinals. The weekend begins with open practices on Saturday, April 4th. Semifinal games on Sunday April 5th at 6:00 pm and the NCAA Championship Game at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 7th.

Not only are the games in St. Louis, but there are many exciting fan activities!

Go to the official 2009 NCAA Women's Final Four website!