SLU AT Students Spend a Summer in Columbia with the Mizzou Tigers

Summer Internship Blog Post - University of Missouri
By: Andria Lampe and Will Rath (MAT Class of 2015)

This summer we were fortunate enough to work at the University of Missouri under head athletic trainer Rex Sharp, ATC, assistant athletic trainer Casey Hairston, ATC, and the athletic training staff, including SLU graduate Dan Herrin, ATC.  We worked with a diverse group of Mizzou’s athletes, including the football, swim & dive, soccer, track & field, and softball teams. Every day brought on new challenges and opportunities to allow us to grow as future athletic trainers and gain valuable experience in the field.

SLU AT Students Will Rath (3rd from left) and Andria Lampe (second from right) on Faurot Field with 2014 SLU Alum Dan Herrin MAT, ATC (on right)

Our responsibilities ranged from filling water for 6:30 am football conditioning, helping with rehab treatments in the athletic training room, assisting with high school sports camps coverage and afternoon football practices, and being present in the athletic training room for all athletes throughout the day.  Of course, we always followed morning conditioning with a hearty breakfast with the rest of the staff every morning to prepare for the long days of rehab and treatment. On a typical day we would assist with twenty football rehab treatments consisting of strengthening exercises, a broad spectrum of modalities, and functional rehabilitation.  Swimmers, divers and runners trickled in and out throughout the day as well.  We were lucky enough to utilize advanced equipment such as a Swim-Ex, a Biodex and the DARI to get our athletes back on the field quicker.  We saw a variety of injuries throughout the summer that took advantage of the great technology Mizzou provides for their student-athlete population.

The time we have spent at Mizzou and the experience we have gained has helped shape and guide us towards the athletic trainers we are striving to be. The staff here has always been open to our questions and willing to help however they can.  We have been exposed to techniques and ideas that can only be learned through hands-on experience in the athletic training room. Rex Sharp and his staff have excelled as a result of years of practice. Having the opportunity to learn from one of the top programs in the country has been a once in a lifetime experience.

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program have a required internship in the summer between their two professional years in the program. This blog post details a student's reflection on their internship experience.