SLU AT Students and Faculty Participate in NATA District V Meeting

District Meeting Provides a Memorable Experience!
By: Nick Gastorf (SLU MAT Class of 2014)

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program had six athletic training students along with faculty members Kitty Newsham PhD, ATC and Tony Breitbach PhD, ATC traveled to Des Moines, Iowa on March 27-29, 2014 to represent the program at the 35th Mid-America Athletic Trainer's Association (MAATA) Annual Meeting and Symposium.  Tyler Wood, Cat Costello, and I represented the Missouri Athletic Trainers' Association (MoATA) in the District Quiz Bowl competition after previously taking home the state title at the MoATA conference earlier in the year. We gave a valiant effort, but we fell short of our goal of reaching the finals of the Quiz Bowl, which is held at the National Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Meeting this upcoming summer in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Quiz Bowl Members: Nick Gastorf, Cat Costello, Kelly Peck (alternate) and Tyler Wood

While there, we were able to attend a number of lectures discussing various topics in athletic training, including talks on drug interactions and concussions.  One of the talks given that we were able to attend was on food and exercise-induced anaphylaxis by Dr. Newsham, one of the faculty members in attendance from SLU.  Not only did we have the opportunity to attend these lectures, but we also attended the MoATA meeting.  We were able to hear and get an update on the athletic training related events that are happening in state.  One topic of interest for many of the students was the young professional group.  With graduation approaching shortly, this young professional’s group is a great way to network and meet other professionals in the field who are also trying to start their careers.

Overall, the MAATA symposium was a great experience!  We were exposed to a number of items for the first time in this type of setting.  We were given the opportunity to meet professionals within athletic training, hear multiple talks on differing topics of athletic training, and represent SLU AT Program in the Quiz Bowl. We would not have had these wonderful opportunities without attending the symposium.

SLU AT students Cat Costello, Kelly Peck, Tyler Wood, Jess Buschjost, Nick Gastorf and Dan Herrin prepare for the drive to Des Moines.