Tag: Denver Broncos

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“GREEK” ANTONOPULOS HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE

Article reposted from Denver Broncos
Author: Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have promoted long-time head athletic trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos to director of sports medicine and assistant athletic trainer Vince Garcia to head athletic trainer, Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway announced on Wednesday.

In his new role, Antonopulos will oversee all aspects of the Broncos’ sports medicine program, including athletic training and player rehabilitation. Garcia will serve as the lead athletic trainer for players and assume all day-to-day head athletic training responsibilities. 

STATEMENT FROM JOHN ELWAY

“Greek’s been a cornerstone of the Denver Broncos for more than four decades, and we’re excited to have him move up a level to become our director of sports medicine. In talking with Greek, he indicated that he was ready to make this transition and turn the head athletic training position over to the very qualified and well-respected Vince Garcia.

“There’s nothing more important than the health of our players, and Vince is prepared for the important responsibilities as our lead athletic trainer. We’re in good hands with Greek overseeing our sports medicine program and Vince becoming our head athletic trainer.”

STATEMENT FROM STEVE “GREEK” ANTONOPULOS

“I’m very excited to begin the next chapter in my athletic training career in this new role. I’ve taken so much pride in serving as the Broncos’ head athletic trainer for 37 seasons, and while it’s difficult to pass on those responsibilities, I know this is the right move for my family and me.

“I could not think of a better fit than Vince Garcia to become the Denver Broncos’ head athletic trainer. He cares about our players and always puts their well-being first.

“I’ve been living a dream for the last 41 years while I’ve worked for the Denver Broncos. It’s an honor to work for Mr. Bowlen and Joe Ellis, and I couldn’t have a better boss than John Elway. I’m grateful for this new opportunity and am really looking forward to working with Vince, our players and coaches, and the rest of our very talented medical staff.”

BACKGROUND ON ANTONOPULOS

Antonopulos, who enters his 42nd season with the Broncos in 2017, began his career with Denver as an assistant athletic trainer in 1976 and worked his way up to becoming the club’s director of rehabilitation in 1979. His 41 years as a Broncos athletic trainer are believed to be the most in NFL history with a single team and include 37 seasons (1980-2016) as the team’s head athletic trainer.

Antonopulos has worked nearly 900 Broncos games in his more than four decades with the team. During that time, he has been part of 27 winning seasons, 22 playoff berths, 15 AFC West titles, 10 AFC Championship Games, eight Super Bowls and three World Championships.

In 2011, Antonopulos was named the Fain-Cain Memorial Award recipient, an award that is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL as well as exemplary performance. He has received numerous other honors throughout his career, including the NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award (1987), the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Athletic Trainer Service Award (1996) and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2006).

BACKGROUND ON GARCIA

Garcia, who is in his seventh year with the team, spent five seasons (2010-13, ’16) as assistant athletic trainer for the Broncos after serving as an athletic training intern in 2008.

He also has experience working as head athletic trainer for South Metro Fire Rescue in Centennial, Colo., from 2014-15 and head football athletic trainer for the University of Northern Colorado in 2009.

In addition to receiving his athletic training certification from the National Athletic Trainers Association, Garcia is certified as a blood flow restriction rehabilitation specialist. He is treasurer of the Colorado Athletic Trainers Association along with his membership in the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers Association.

Garcia received his bachelor’s degree in sport and exercises science from Northern Colorado and earned his master’s degree in sports medicine from Oregon State University.

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Broncos, NFL help fund Colorado High School athletic trainer

Article reposted from 9 News
Author: Taylor Temby

From concussions to heat stroke to sprains and broken bones, injuries are not uncommon in high school athletes. These days, many programs rely on athletic trainers to keep their students healthy, but those can come at a high cost.

“[Adams City High School] has actually has never had a certified athletic trainer,” Adams City athletic director Joe Ladow said.

For years, coaches served as the first line of defense against injuries. It would also be left up to the students and their parents to take action when necessary.

“In a setting where you have this many athletes and there’s no athletic trainer present, it kind of falls on the kids to self-treat or parents to help if they need ice or any other medications,” certified athletic trainer Bria Witner said. “It’s up to the coaches to try and recognize if there’s an injury or if someone needs more water, or needs to take a break or if they can’t practice that day.”

“We tried our best to go by the protocols of what we learned in the various clinics that talked about concussions, and obviously being able to recognize the signs,” Adams City football head coach Jesse Jones said. “We did have volunteers, people who were on the sidelines with us that were able to spot a kid that may be a little woozy or something like that. Sometimes we even had the trainer of the opposing team who would lend a hand and say, ‘Hey, [number] 21 may need to be checked out,’ or something of that nature.”

Adams City has close to 600 student-athletes participating in 18 sports throughout the year. Now, for the first time, they will have a certified athletic trainer tending to its students.

Denver Broncos Charities, the NFL Foundation and Children’s Hospital Colorado announced the Eagles will be the beneficiary of this year’s NFL Club Matching Certified Athletic Trainer Grant. The $50,000 grant — which is split 50-50 between the Broncos and NFL Foundation — will place Witner, a certified athletic trainer from Children’s Hospital Colorado, at the high school for one calendar year. She will work a minimum of 20 hours a week, tending to students of all sports at practices and games.

“[High schoolers’] bodies are built differently than adult bodies and they have to be treated different when it comes to injuring certain body parts,” Witner said. “I think being with Children’s Hospital, we’re trained to see the different things that could happen in a school-aged kid.”

Witner’s role includes treating athletes for current injuries, rehabbing them from surgeries and preventing future ones.

“We want the best for our kids and their success,” Ladow said. “Having someone of Bria’s expertise working at Children’s Hospital, that’s just going to move us forward in that positive direction of what our vision is of what our athletics can become.”

Adams City says the addition of an athletic trainer will allow its student-athletes to perform at their peak levels, while also putting parents and coaches at ease.

“For me, it’s a Godsend,” Jones said. “It adds layers of credibility. I really feel like having an athletic trainer solidifies the culture.”
“We get a chance to streamline what we’re here for,” he said. “We’re here to coach the players, we’re overseeing various aspects of their athleticism from start to finish. When we have that at our disposal, we can relax as coaches and do our job, and these players know they have someone they can tap into that they trust.”

“We want the best for our kids and their success. Having someone of Bria’s expertise working at Children’s Hospital, that’s just going to move us forward in that positive direction of what our vision is of what our athletics can become,” Ladow said.

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Denver Bronco’s Charities Help to provide athletic trainer to Colorado High School

Article reposted from Denver Broncos
Author: Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos Charities, the NFL Foundation and Children’s Hospital Colorado have announced that Adams City High School will be the beneficiary of this year’s NFL Club Matching Certified Athletic Trainer Grant.

The $50,000 grant will place a part-time certified athletic trainer, provided by Children’s Colorado, at Adams City High School beginning on Wednesday. The athletic trainer will remain with Adams City High School for one calendar year.

The NFL Foundation established the Certified Athletic Trainer Grant in 2014 to expand access to athletic trainers at the high school level. This initiative provides athletic training coverage to high schools in NFL communities that otherwise would not have access to a certified athletic trainer.

The athletic trainer at Adams City High School will work a minimum of 20 hours per week providing care for all sports throughout the year. The grant will also help with supplies, including Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and training room upgrades.

Located in Commerce City, Colo., Adams City High School has nearly 600 student-athletes and offers nine sports for both male and female students.

Athletic trainers are an important part of any sports medicine care team. They are often the first responders to injuries that happen in practice or competition. Athletic trainers are equipped to care for athletes with serious sports injuries and conditions, which can include heat illness, cardiac events and brain and spinal cord injuries that can be life-threatening if not properly managed.

Athletic trainers also play an important role in recognizing, assessing and managing concussions, including supporting critical return-to-play decisions. They also help counsel coaches, parents and athletes about concussion prevention and management.

This initiative has been endorsed by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS).

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Steve “Greek” Antonopulos inducted into the University of Northern Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame

Article reposted from KKTV11
Author: Broncos MR

Denver Broncos Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos will be inducted into the University of Northern Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Friday in Greeley, Colo.

‘Greek’ is currently in his 40th year with the team. He began his career as an assistant athletic trainer in 1976, working his way up to the Director of Rehabilitation in 1979. Antonopulos became the head athletic trainer the following year, a position he has held for 35 seasons.

In 2011, Antonopulos was named the Fain-Cain Memorial Award recipient, an award that is given annually to a NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL as well as exemplary performance. He has received numerous honors throughout his career, including heading the 1987 NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year and being
recognized with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Athletic Trainer Service Award in 1996 and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2006.

Antonopulos, the longest-tenured Broncos employee in team history, was celebrated in a Broncos’ team meeting prior to the start of training camp.
Antonopulos (1967-73) earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from UNC. He is one of six members of the UNC Hall of Fame Class of 2016.

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Steve “Greek” Antonopulos honored for four decades with the Broncos

Article reposted from DenverBroncos.com
Author: Aric DiLalla

Long before he became head athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos, Steve “Greek” Antonopulos sat with his dad in Eastern Colorado and watched the team on TV.

“Somehow, some way, someday, I’d like to work for the Denver Broncos,” Antonopulos told himself in 1960.

Nearly 60 years later, the Broncos players, coaches and front office members honored “Greek” for 40 years of service to the organization.

Head Coach Gary Kubiak went through his normal list of announcements to the team before turning to a presentation he said he was “flattered” to give. Kubiak went on to speak of the consistency that makes the Broncos great before he ran through a list of Antonopulos’ accolades.

From his perch at the top of the room, a surprised Antonopulos watched a video tribute to his years in Denver. He soaked in the moment as he stood between EVP/GM John Elway and President and CEO Joe Ellis. The three men have racked up a combined 84 years of service to the organization.

“I never thought I’d be here this long,” Antonopulos said afterward. “I think after my fifth year, we changed owners and I had no idea whether I’d be around here or not. I thought you worked for the same people all the time and we’ve had three owners since I’ve been here. Obviously I’ve been so blessed to be with [Owner] Mr. [Pat] Bowlen. I love him so much and all the things that he stands for. Just wow. I don’t know what to say, I’m so shook up.”

Elway, Kubiak, Keith Bishop, Wade Phillips and Joe DeCamillis were just a few of the familiar faces in the video who heaped praise on Antonopulos and his dedication to the Broncos.

“He’s the best in the business,” DeCamillis said in the video.

Kubiak then called Colorado’s longest-tenured employee in sports to the front of the room as the players yelled out his nickname. Antonopulos, whose voice clearly reflected his surprise and shock, didn’t take long to turn an event about him into a message for the team. He told the players to take advantage of the opportunity before them and to relish the chance.

“[These were] the greatest years of my life,” Antonopulos said. “It doesn’t get any better than this. [There was] not one day when I did not want to come to work.”

Kubiak presented Antonopulos with a painting that celebrated his career, and then, as quickly as the presentation began, it was over and “back to work” for the Broncos.

That’s how “Greek” wants it, Kubiak said.

As the players filed out of the team room to head to another set of meetings, that’s when the best example of Antonopulos’ impact on the organization was on display.

In a three-minute stretch, he faced a stream of hugs and fist bumps as everyone from Kubiak toC.J. Anderson stopped to congratulate him.

“It was unexpected,” Antonopulos said, “and it was just really cool, and I love this place.

“I always have, always will.”