Many Gustavus athletes and students are familiar with the Athletic Training facilities and services offered on campus. However, for those who may not be as knowledgeable about the role of athletic trainers, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association promotes National Athletic Training Month every March.
As in past years, the athletic trainers on campus are participating in the National Athletic Training Month with a series of events.
Senior Athletic Training major Travis Mattson addressed the mission of the Gustavus athletic trainers during the month of March.
“The biggest thing that we try to do as part of our Gustavus Athletic Training Association with National Athletic Training Month is just spreading the awareness of National Athletic Training Month, helping people understand what athletic trainers are, what we do, how we differ from other healthcare professionals,” Mattson said, noting that there is occasional confusion between athletic trainers and personal trainers or other areas of healthcare.
Earlier this month, the student organization at Gustavus kicked off with an event at Buffalo Wild Wings, in an effort to raise both funds and awareness.
According to Mattson, funds raised during the month help to provide educational opportunities and to support those attending conferences within the major.
Another major component of National Athletic Training month on campus is the annual food drive, benefitting the St. Peter Food Shelf. This year, the Gustavus Athletic Trainers’ Association (GATA) and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) have partnered in joint sponsorship.
According to co-coordinators of this year’s food drive, Senior Sara Welch and Junior Jacob Kohl, the organization is hoping to surpass the quantity of donated items collected last year.
“Last year, we did not do as well as we would have hoped, but this year we’re hoping to come back and get a lot of donations,” Welch said.
While Welch noted that donors have primarily been athletes so far, the organization is hoping to reach out to other members of the Gustavus and St. Peter community for support, and GATA and SAAC entered a float in the St. Peter St. Patrick’s Day parade, collecting donations along the route.
Students wishing to donate can bring non-perishable food items to the Athletic Training Room until March 26. As additional incentive, Kohl expressed that the top three teams, organizations, or individuals who donate will receive three massages per group.
“We’re really good at giving massages, so [that’s] a little motivation” Kohl said.
To learn more about National Athletic Trainers’ Month in general, visit nata.org or stop by the Gustavus Athletic Training Room.
-Libby Larson