Welcome SLU MAT Class of 2012!

The SLU Master of Athletic Training class of 2012 began professional classes this week with ANAT 400 Gross Anatomy and MAT 501 Principles of Athletic Training.  There are 5 SLU students and 4 post-baccalaureate transfers in the class.  Best wishes and welcome to the professional phase of the program!

Faculty and Class of 2012 (from left) Heather Allen, Kitty Newsham, Kacey Morrison, Caitlin Werkmeister, Darcy Downey, Justin Lynch, Scott Peters, JJ Hannigan, Samantha Peltzer, Leah Egeland, Tony Breitbach, Kemba Noel-London

ATEP Celebrates Graduating Students

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Education Program graduating the first Master of Athletic Training students in SLU history at the Doisy College of Health Sciences precommencement ceremony on May 13, 2010 and the University Commencement on May 15, 2010.  The MAT graduates celebrated at dinner with the program faculty and their families after precommencement.
Kellie Black, Ilene Chambers, Heather King and Eric Sass received the MAT degrees.  Jacob Blasingame, Meghan Gehrs and Emily Monahan received their Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degrees, they will get their MAT degrees in May 2011.

SLU Athletic Training Students wait for their name to be called at the Doisy precommencement at Chaifetz Arena.

 Program Director Tony Breitbach read the names of the graduates.

Emily Monahan and Meghan Gehrs are all smiles on graduation day!

MAT graduates pictured with program faculty at celebration dinner at the Square One Brewery in Lafayette Square near campus.

Best wishes Ilene, Heather, Kellie and Eric!

SLU Faculty Answer Questions on FOX2 Morning Show

Sports Medicine Experts Answer Viewer Questions

(KTVI - FOX2now.com) - Got a pulled hamstring, shin splints or tennis elbow? Whether you're a serious athlete or just exercising at home, injuries can be a problem. But there's help. The professionals from Saint Louis University answered questions about sports injuries Monday morning. 

Tony Breitbach did the webchat and Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Kaar, Chris Sebelski and Mark Reinking answered phones.

 To see the video story click here

To see the chat transcript click here

SLU Athletic Training Student Reports from Summer NFL Internship

By: Jacob Blasingame

Jacob is spending the summer as an intern with the NFL's St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams’ off season workouts started this past weekend with a rookie mini-camp, and all of the rookies and first year free agents were there.  I will be interning with the Rams athletic training staff during the off season and preseason camps, and I got my first taste this past weekend.  At first it was extremely intimidating walking into the Russell Training Center Saturday morning, and thinking about working with professional athletes.  Our day started at 6am where we got the athletic training room ready for the day, and the players came in at about 7am to get taped.  Once I taped a few wrists and ankles my nerves calmed down, and it was like any other athletic training room with any other athletes.  They were just a whole lot bigger, and weren’t afraid to tell you when they didn’t like your taping.  I even got the opportunity to wrap the shoulder on one of the lineman’s, and my arms couldn’t reach around him.  

The majority of the day consisted of two practices.  During practice each athletic trainer and intern is assigned to a position and is to follow them around the fields.  Whenever they sprinted to the next drill, we sprinted too.  There is no walking on the football field, and that goes for the athletic training staff as well.  Our job was to give them water and bandage any cuts.  I was with the defensive backs for the day and the entire defense during team time.  Our day ended at 7pm, and we were back up there at 6am on Sunday to do it again.  It was a great first experience, and I am excited for the rest of the summer.  The team will have a series of OTA’s (organized team activities) throughout the summer and another mini-camp for all of the players that I will help out with, and then training camp starts July 25^th.