The program offers a coeducational environment where athletic training students have an opportunity to gain experience with a variety of sports, including volleyball, football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s tennis, baseball, softball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track and field. In addition, students have the opportunity to gain experience in local area high schools and with local allied healthcare professionals.
Definition of Certified Athletic Trainer
A certified athletic trainer is a highly education and skilled professional who specializes in the healthcare of athletes and physically active persons. The certified athletic trainer functions in cooperation with team physicians and other allied healthcare providers to provide services such as injury prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation.
Educational Opportunities
Students are given the opportunity to hone their skills in athletic training by assisting staff athletic trainers with athlete care in directly supervised settings. The student will also have opportunities to shadow the SAU Medical Director/Team Physician in the clinical and surgical settings. Allied healthcare providers such as physical therapists, pharmacists and general practitioners in the local area have also made their clinics available for student observation and learning.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for the certified athletic trainer lie in areas such as high schools, colleges, universities, clinics, industries, corporate settings and professional sports programs.
Director of the Athletic Training Education Program:
Ms. Jan Kiilsgaard, M.S., LAT, ATC
(870) 235-4248
jmkiilsgaard@saumag.edu
Head Athletic Trainer:
Mr. Ken Cole, M.S., LAT, ATC
(870) 235-4142
kdcole@saumag.edu
Assistant Athletic Trainer:
Mrs. Laci Baurer, M.S., LAT, ATC
(870) 235-5229
llbaurer@saumag.edu
