April 30, 2009

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.

April 27, 2009

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.



April 20, 2009

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!

April 07, 2009

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.

April 06, 2009

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.

April 01, 2009

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!