SLU AT Students Give Roosevelt HS Students a Day with the Billikens

Roosevelt High School Athletic Training Club

By: Cat Chua, Rory Cusack and Paul Lamb (SLU MAT Class of 2019)

On January 23rd, we took the Roosevelt High School (RHS) Athletic Training Club for a field trip to Saint Louis University (SLU). This club, sponsored by the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program and funded through an Ethnic Diversity Enhancement Grant from the National Athletic Trainers' Association Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee is designed to nurture interest in athletic training and the health professions for students at RHS.  Kemba Noel-London MAT, ATC CES coordinates the RHS AT Club along with student mentors from the SLU AT Program.

First, we took the students on a tour of the SLU athletic training room. They learned about different modalities and treatments performed in the room. They also got to meet one of the basketball players. After the tour of the training room, the students went onto the basketball court to take some pictures before the game. Then we went to Grand Hall to eat dinner. We showed videos of injuries to the students and had conversations about what an athletic trainer does in those situations. Before going to the basketball game, the students got a tour of the Simon Rec Center. At the game, the high school students got to sit in the student section where they cheered along with the rest of the SLU students and fans, received cheer items from the people leading the student section, and even met the Billiken! The basketball game field trip was a great success and so much fun for all of us.

The students were able to experience the athletic training from from an athlete’s point of view and were able to ask many questions to both the Athletic Trainer and a few athletes. The students were extremely curious as to how an Division 1 athlete juggles basketball, course work, and social life. They asked how they athlete got their scholarship and how hard they worked in high school. The students then were asking us what our thoughts on how they can get to be like those D1 athletes, or the process of walking on to a team. The students from Roosevelt are all athletes themselves, and know what hard work it takes to stay on a team and be successful. As Athletic Training students, it gave us a chance to answer questions that we normally wouldn’t get in an athletic training facility, but from high school students that are genuinely interested in what it takes to be a healthcare professional or an athlete and what life is like in college. 

Moving forward in the semester, we plan on further exposing the students to the different roles and providers on a sports medicine health care team. Over the next few meetings, the students will have the opportunity to learn more about sports performance and how athletes prepare for a game through a discussion on eating like an athlete as well as preparing for a game through a presentation on training like an athlete. An additional field trip to the SLU Anatomy Lab will be an excellent chance for club members to understand topics we’ve discussed during club meetings in a more hands-on setting. Our goal at the beginning of the year was to get the high schoolers engaged in sports medicine, and present them with opportunities to see the many ways in which it can impact their lives and the lives of the people around them. Our field trip to the SLU basketball game helped advance that goal, and with so many exciting topics ahead of us, it’s hard not to be enthusiastic about what we’ll accomplish the rest of the year with the Roosevelt High School Athletic Training club!

SLU AT Students Engage with Faculty Courtside at Nike Elite 100 Basketball Camp

Every June for the last 17 years, the campus of Saint Louis University has welcomed approximately 100 of the top men's basketball student-athletes aged 16 and under from across the country for Nike's Elite 100 Basketball Camp. 

The SLU AT  Program provides medical care for the camp, which creates a great opportunity for Faculty, Staff and Students to collaborate in a clinical context.  

At this camp, the licensed faculty and staff AT's empower the students to "learn by doing", making the most of the opportunities to interact, debrief and reflect on the experience.

During this year's Elite 100, the NBA draft was held, and many of the former players from the camp were drafted by NBA teams.  NBA legend Rasheed Wallace served as a coach at the camp.

We appreciate this opportunity to engage and learn in an enjoyable setting.

Saint Louis University Tips Off National AT Month at Chaifetz Arena

Saint Louis University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletic Training Program joined forces to celebrate the start of National Athletic Training Month on March 1, 2017 in conjunction with a Billikens Men's Basketball victory vs the LaSalle Explorers at Chaifetz Arena.

Dr. Breitbach takes a pic with the SLU students who made this event a success.

There were many activities held that night to celebrate the event.  SLU's 13 Certified Athletic Trainers were recognized in a pregame announcement and presentation on the Chaifetz Arena video boards.

SLATS booth to promote the AT profession on the arena concourse.

The members of the SLU Athletic Training Society (SLATS) had an infomational booth on the arena concourse to promote #NATM2017.  They also had a Photo Booth to commemorate the event.

SLU President Dr. Fred Pestello joined in on the fun!

Additionally, the students in the Roosevelt High School Athletic Training Club also attended the event.  The RHS AT Club is sponsored for the 3rd straight year by the SLU AT Program through a grant from the National Athletic Trainers' Association Ethnic Diversity Advisory Council.  

RHS AT Club on the Chaifetz Arena court prior to the game.

The club utilizes SLU AT students to mentor and teach RHS students about AT and the health professions.

SLU staff member Petra Knight ATC takes time to talk to the RHS AT Club.

Thank you to all of the students, staff, faculty and administration that made this evening a great success!

SLU AT Student Spends a Summer with the Sixers

Summer Internship Blog Post - Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Camps

By: Emily Costabile (MAT Class of 2015)

This summer, I had the opportunity to work for the Philadelphia 76ers as their summer basketball camp athletic training intern.  The 76ers camp brings in kids from all over the world.  Representing 20 different countries, kids ages 8-18 can come for weeks at a time to gain experience playing basketball.  From 8am-9pm the kids participate in a variety of basketball activities, from playing full court games to knock-out competitions.  I have been working under the direction of Caitlin Murphy, ATC, alongside five other athletic training interns.  Caitlin is a graduate of Ithica College in Ithica, NY and is currently in grad school working towards her DPT. 

Emily Costabile and Caitlin Murphy ATC

The camp is held on Valley Forge Military Academy and College’s campus.  There are twelve different courts the campers play on, and our job is to sit at each of the set of courts and respond to whatever injury may occur during competitions.  We have seen a large variety of injuries in the past 4 weeks of camp, all ranging in severity.  I have even had the opportunity to accompany some of the campers to the hospital as well as visits to an orthopedics office.  

This experience with the 76ers has given me great insight into the different settings I could potentially practice in down the road.  It has allowed me to practice skills I previously had as well as develop a whole set of new ones.  Working with athletic training students from five different schools has also given me a chance to see how others practice and what techniques they find useful.  The experience I have had here has been invaluable and I am grateful to the kids and staff for helping make this summer one I will never forget.  

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.

SLU AT Faculty Members and Students Have a Fun and Busy Month of Basketball

The Athletic Training Program at Saint Louis University partners with the Missouri Valley Conference to coordinate medical coverage to the basketball tournaments they host in March each year.  This year, this not only included their conference tournaments in St. Louis and St. Charles, it also included the NCAA Men's Basketball 2nd and 3rd Rounds at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.  This provides a great learning opportunity for our students, where they get a chance to administer a large event with multiple stakeholders.  Additionally it provides our students with networking opportunities with numerous future colleagues in athletic training.

Faculty members Tim Howell and Kitty Newsham with AT students Jess Buschjost and Angelo Bongiorno at the NCAA 3rd Round games on March 23, 2014 at Scottrade Center.

AT students Cat Costello, Jess Buschjost and Angelo Bongiorno with faculty members Tim Howell and Mike Markee  at the NCAA 2nd Round games on March 21, 2014 at Scottrade Center.

AT students Blake Hudspeth and Michelle Cybulski courtside for MVC MBB Tournament at Scottrade Center.

AT students Tony Mosello and Jess Buschjost courtside for MVC MBB Tournament at Scottrade Center.

AT Program Director Tony Breitbach courtside with students Michael Aaron and Hilary Stepansky
for MVC WBB Tournament at Family Arena.

AT students Ju Kim, Mary Rhatigan, Jose Mendez and Michael Aaron on site
for MVC WBB Tournament at Family Arena

SLU AT Clinical Education Coordinator Offers Advice About Basketball and Good Health

March 19, 2014

Carrie Bebermeyer

314.977.8015

bebermcl@slu.edu

In the Spirit of March Madness, Seven Reasons to Shoot Hoops

SLU Expert Shares Lessons from the Billikens

Tim Howell, Ed.D., ATC, CSCS

After you agonize over your NCAA bracket and hand your $10 over to the office pool, take a moment to reflect on the intense exercise and athleticism displayed in every college basketball game. In fact, from pick-up games to the pros, basketball has the potential to offer a multitude of all-around health benefits.

As exercise goes, it doesn’t get much better than a fun team sport that requires no expensive equipment or major time commitments.

If you need more convincing, Tim Howell, Ed.D., ATC, CSCS, assistant professor of physical therapy and athletic training at Saint Louis University, home of the Billikens, offers seven more reasons.

Basketball is good for:

Your Heart. Basketball can help you develop cardiovascular endurance, depending on how many times play stops. Keep moving, and you’ll keep your heart rate up. Building endurance can help keep your heart healthy, reducing risks of heart disease and stroke down the line.

Your Muscles. Long range three point shots help develop both upper and lower body strength. So does jumping to block shots. Strong muscles help you maintain your balance and decrease your risk of falling.

Your Bones. Jumping is a great way to develop and improve bone health. Weight-bearing exercise helps maintain your bone density over the course of your lifetime. Stronger bones are bones that are less likely to break.

Playing a high-intensity basketball game can burn 700 or more calories an hour.

Your Brain. By developing eye-hand coordination, basketball builds spacial awareness. Your body will know where it is in space and time. Ever wonder why a cat always lands on its feet? Body awareness.

Your Gut. Reducing it, that is. Depending on the intensity at which you play, you can burn 700 or more calories an hour. Burn fat while having fun.

Your Social Life. Have fun. Socialize. Build teamwork. Strong relationships translate into good health. Social people are less likely to suffer from depression and also tend to have a stronger immune system. Exercising in a group also tends to lead to better continued participation because you don’t exercise alone. You will have a built-in support system.

Your Stress Levels. Played alone or in groups, basketball can reduce stress. Exercise is a proven stress-reliever. Decreasing your stress will help you focus and have more energy to complete tasks.

Long a leader in educating health professionals, Saint Louis University offered its first degree in an allied health profession in 1929. Today the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers degrees in physical therapy, athletic training education, clinical laboratory science, nutrition and dietetics, health informatics and information management, health sciences, medical imaging and radiation therapeutics, occupational science and occupational therapy, and physician assistant education. The college's unique curriculum prepares students to work with health professionals from all disciplines to ensure the best possible patient care.

SLU AT Student Spends the Summer with the Sixers

Sixers Basketball Camp Summer Internship
By: Abby Breseman (MAT Class of 2014)

Since 1985, the Philadelphia 76ers organization has helped more than 80,000 campers from 40 states and 30 countries improve their basketball skills at the Sixers Overnight Basketball Camp. During the month of July I had the amazing opportunity to intern as an Athletic Training Student while 800+ campers, ages 9-17, worked to improve their skill level. The camp is held at Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, PA, a beautiful suburb of Philadelphia. The Military Academy aspect may sound intimidating, but the campus was the perfect setting to host 200+ campers a week. There are 12 basketball courts on campus and plenty of housing for all the campers and staff. 

Mary Stein ATC with SLU AT student Abby Breseman

I really enjoyed getting to know the Sixers Camp staff. There were a total of 14 summer interns, 5 athletic training and 9 sports management, along with the camp coaches that consisted of college players and coaches from all over the United States and Europe. Todd Landrey, Executive Director of Sixers Camps, and Paul Beckles, manager of Sixers Camps, do a great job of providing a safe, fun, and instructional environment for the campers to develop their skill sets as basketball players. While interning at Sixers Camps, I spent most of my time working alongside the other four athletic training student interns and the head athletic trainer, Mary Stein ATC. During the school year, Mary works full time as an athletic trainer for Cabrini College, located right across the road from Sixers Camps. At Cabrini, she works primarily with the women’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, men’s soccer and volleyball programs. Mary was a great role model and teacher throughout my time at Sixers Camp. She understood that the 14-hour days were long and dealing with 200+ campers can be stressful at times, but she made sure our work environment was educational and fun everyday.  

Our days began at 7:30AM with setting up ice and water at each of the basketball courts. Once we were finished, we would grab a bite to eat in the Mess Hall and then head to the athletic training room to begin our morning treatments for the athletes. Our morning treatments usually consisted of taping blisters and explaining to the campers that their stomach probably hurts because they decided it would be a good idea to skip breakfast. After dealing with the morning madness, each of the interns was stationed at a set of courts throughout the day for coverage of game play. We needed to be prepared for anything and ready to help an athlete if they were injured on the court. The campers finished up their last games around 9:30PM and headed back to their rooms. Our day wasn’t over however, until we made sure all the ice and water coolers were collected and took care of any injuries that had occurred later in the day. 

The vast array of injuries we treated helped to expand my skill set as an athletic training student. We saw everything from a tibial plateau fracture with a tibial tubercle avulsion fracture, to the common lateral ankle sprain. We also had the opportunity to accompany the campers to the ER for X-rays if we suspected a broken bone. Each day was a new and different experience and I look forward to utilizing the knowledge gained at Sixers Camps at my clinical rotation this coming year and throughout my future career as an athletic trainer. 

My time at Sixers Camps was a truly unique and rewarding experience. I am so grateful to the Sixers Camp staff and head AT, Mary Stein ATC, for giving me this opportunity and helping to make the internship the best it could be. 

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.

"Blackboard to Backboard" Alumni Event Features Doisy College Professions at Home Men's Basketball Game

The Doisy College of Health Sciences Alumni Association invites Doisy College of Health Sciences alumni to an event on Saturday, January 15, at Chaifetz Arena for a look at how SLU is incorporates the latest trends in sports medicine to help prepare athletes for success, and then cheer on the Billikens as the men's basketball team takes on St. Joseph's University. This special event will include a private tour of the athletic training room and the strength and conditioning facility in the Arena, presentations by Doisy College of Health Sciences' faculty members, lunch, and a ticket to the game.

Presentations:

Returning to sport after injury: When is the athlete ready?
Jason Bennett, PT, SCS, ATC

"Wheezing": Is this exercise induced asthma or something else?
Kitty Newsham PhD, ATC

Fuel your sport: The importance of nutrition education for athletes.
Jamie Joyner, RD, LD

Tour and program begin at 10:30 a.m. Game begins at 1:00 p.m.

Cost $25 per person R.S.V.P. by January 7.

Register now. Limited spots are available for this event!
Register at: alumni.slu.edu/dchschaifetz

Already have tickets for the game?
Register for the program and lunch portion of the event for $10 per person.

Sponsored by the Doisy College of Health Sciences Alumni Association.

Contact Information
Melissa Weaver
3525 Caroline Mall, SoN 5th Floor
St. Louis, MO 63104
314-977-7825
weavermn@slu.edu

Learning by Doing in the SLU ATEP

Classroom experiences are linked with experiential learning in many courses in the SLU ATEP.  In MAT 616 "Enhancing Athletic Performance", instructor Lori Khazen ATC, CSCS integrates her lectures with skill instruction.

The emphasis in MAT 616  this week for the students in lecture was to discuss the fitness component of power and its link to the sports of volleyball & basketball.  For both, they discussed the logistics/rules of the sports, technical skill and fitness necessities, and breakdowns of each position, including the special physical requirements and mechanics for each.  The students then went into the Chaifetz Arena Pavilion with SLU coaches to actually practice the skills they learned in the classroom.

 

SLU Men's Basketball Coach Alex Jensen and instructor Lori Khazen work with the class on their shooting technique.

 

Student Eric Sass takes a big swing at the volleyball net, from a feed by SLU Coach Andy Halaz.

Jonathan Burch, SLU Assistant Athletic Director/Athletic Trainer conducted demonstrations on the use of the Swim-Ex at Chaifetz Arena with students in MAT 550 "Rehabilitation in Athletic Training".  In these demonstrations, the students not only "got their feet wet"....they actually participated in aquatic exercise in the Swim-Ex.

Jonathan Burch explains the use of the Swim-Ex control to students Ann Schmerbauch and Emily Monahan.

SLU athletic training student Emily Monahan performs aquatic exercise guided by SLU athletic trainer Jonathan Burch.

NCAA Midwest Regional Day Two

The Edward Jones Dome was filled with a sea of purple on Friday, March 26th.  There were two great games!

The University of Tennessee edged Ohio State in game one and Michigan State defeated tournament cinderella Northern Iowa in game two.

It was a great experience for our medical team including physicians, athletic training faculty and students.

SLU Medical Team at the Regional semi-final (from left): Eric Sass, Dr. Will Mitchell, Heather King, Dr. Scott Kaar, Ilene Chambers, Dr. Paul Nativi, Jason Bennett, Tony Breitbach (not pictured Kitty Newsham)

SLU ATEP and SLUCare Physicians Team Up to Cover the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournaments

The faculty and students of the SLU Athletic Training Education Program, for the straight third year, covered the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournaments March 4-7 at the Scottrade Center and March 11-14 at the Family Arena in St. Charles.  This year we were joined by a team of SLUCare physicians, coordinated by Dr. Scott Kaar and Dr. Will Mitchell.

SLU ATEP faculty member Jason Bennett PT, ATC courtside at the MVC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Scottrade Center.

AT Students Samatha Peltzer, Kellie Black and JJ Hannigan.

Dr. Scott Kaar getting a photo with a snarling Wichita State Shocker at the MVC Women's Tournament in at the Family Arena.

SLATS celebrates AT month at SLU Men's Basketball game

Saint Louis University Athletic Training Society (SLATS) members attended the SLU Men's Basketball game vs #16 Temple on March 3rd. SLU lost a close game, but all had fun.  AT student Emily Monahan was also recognized as a senior member of the Saintsations spirit squad.

SLU's Men's Basketball Gives Dayton the "Blues" on a Fun Saturday in St. Louis

Saturday, February 13th was a fun day on our campus!  Since it was Mardi Gras, many SLU students took shuttles to Soulard to enjoy one of the midwest's largest parades and celebrations at 11:00 am.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT MARDI GRAS IN ST. LOUIS

The exciting day continued at Chaifetz Arena where the Billiken Men's Basketball team hosted the Dayton Flyers at 3:00 pm.  It was "Billiken Blue-Out" day and the first 6000 attendees received blue t-shirts.  The students section was loud and proud as they Billikens prevailed in double overtime!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE GAME STORY AND SEE THE GAME PHOTO GALLERY
CLICK HERE TO SEE A CELL PHONE VIDEO OF THE STUDENT SECTION DURING THE PLAYER INTROS

The Madness Begins!

The SLU Athletic Training Education Program kicked off National Athletic Training Month by serving as the Athletic Training Staff for the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Congrats to Athletic Trainer Don Bishop and University of Northern Iowa Panthers for winning the tournament and getting a bid for the NCAA Championship. As a part of Athletic Training Month, the Missouri Valley Conference made announcements recognizing the conference athletic trainers.

Ilene Chambers and Kellie Black served as the lead students for the event.

Dr. Paul Nativi and his team were poised and ready for any dental injuries that may occur.

Big Weekend for the Billikens

Its been a fun weekend on campus!

Friday night, the Men's Soccer team hosted Drake in the NCAA Tournament, winning in the 2nd overtime 1-0. Congrats to the team and SLU men's soccer athletic trainer Angie Wills as they head to Indiana Tuesday night.

Click here to read about it.

Saturday afternoon, the Men's Basketball team knocked off Boston College at a rocking, nearly sold out, Chaifetz Arena. Athletic trainer Jonathan Burch was kept busy, especially when Kevin Lisch took a shot to the nose and came back to lead the team to victory!

Click here to read the story

Kevin Lisch gets bloodied.....

But not beaten!

Last, but not least, SLU hosted the A-10 volleyball championship. The 21st ranked Billikens swept its way to victory over Xavier and Dayton! Best of luck to them and athletic trainer Theresa Hummel as they move on to the NCAA tournament.

Click here to read the story

GO BILLIKENS!

It's Madness! It's Madness!

Many of us had the privilege to cover "Arch Madness" the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament this week at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. The SLU Athletic Training Education Program coordinated the Athletic Training coverage. We also were joined by Casey Kohr, Andy Accacian and Jeremy Jordan from Clarke College. Dr. Mark Halstead of Washington University served as the Tournament Physician and Dr. Paul Nativi of Saint Louis University served as the Tournament Dentist.

We all stayed busy, but Dr. Nativi was especially busy...he made 2 trips to SLU's Center for Advanced Dental Education with Dr. Brian Habas to treat injured athletes from the tournament. You can read about the athletes injuries in their hometown papers:

https://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/03/08/usports/doc47d35f10d2023041608793.txt
https://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10278770

This tournament was a great opportunity for our staff and students. Not only did they get a chance to participate in a large well run community event, but they also had the chance to sit on the bench with 10 outstanding athletic trainers. These athletic trainers all welcomed our students and shared numerous professional insights with us.

Staff photo taken after the finals on Sunday (from left to right):
Tony Breitbach , Jeremy Jordan, Kellie Black, Mark Reinking, Ilene Chambers, Dr. Paul Nativi, Andy Accacian, Casey Kohr, Dr. Mark Halstead

Congratulations to the Drake Bulldogs and Athletic Trainer Scott Kerr for winning the title!

To view tournament details go to:
https://www.mvc-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7600&KEY=&ATCLID=1401476

We look forward to covering the MVC Women's Tournament next week and continuing this relationship with the Valley in the years to come!