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Minnesota Duluth Celebrates NATM2017

Article reposted from Minnesota Duluth Athletics
Author: Minnesota Duluth Athletics

March is National Athletic Training Month and the University of Minnesota Duluth athletic training staff is using that time to educate local community on the profession.

An athletic trainer is a nationally-certified and state-licensed health care professional within the sports medicine field. Most commonly people confuse athletic trainers with personal trainers or strength and conditioning coaches.  Athletic trainers work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, professional sports, college sports, highschool sports, clinics and hospitals, occupational settings, military, and even the performing arts. Here at University of Minnesota Duluth athletic trainers work as an extension of a physician to diagnose and treat orthopedic conditions in athletes. Athletic trainers work as a team with the athlete, coaches, team physician, and strength & conditioning coach to help athletes prevent or overcome injury.

The University of Minnesota Duluth has eight staff athletic trainers working to keep Bulldog student-athletes healthy. The UMD staff has 58 years of collective post-secondary schooling experience. Despite the demanding hours of their profession, the staff has found time to log over 35 hours of community service involvement so far this school year.

During the month of March, UMD’s athletic trainers willl post trivia questions about athletic training topics — such as the breadth of education the job requires — during each school day at on Twitter (@UMDATC). Submit your answer in the UMD athletic training room. Each correct answer will be entered in a drawing to win a $20 gift card to Tavern on the Hill, with the winner being announced on March 31, 2017on Twitter @UMDATC.

Students can show their support for their favorite athletic trainer by purchasing a t-shirt for just $5. These shirts are available in the UMD athletic training room during regular hours.

To get the Northland community involved, UMD athletic trainers are also promoting the third annual sports medicine camp. This camp is intended for high school students who are interested in the athletic training profession. The camp will be held on May 7, 2017 and costs $35 per individual.  It will include an overview of athletic training, a panel discussion, hands-on opportunities, and more! Visit the camps link at umdbulldogs.com for more information.