University of Nebraska at Omaha

MATS News
Maverick Athletic Training Students Newsletter
M A T S N E W S W I N T E R N E W S L E T T E R

MATS

Explorers Program at UNO

By Brandi Boston A STUDENT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ACHIEVEMENT, COMMUNITY, AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT.

This year the UNO athletic training program was offered a unique opportunity. High school students from schools in the Omaha-Metro area took a survey in which they specified what they wanted to be when they grow up. A surprising 5,000 students stated that they wanted to do something that related to sports medicine or athletic training. 10 students enlisted in the program and went through 6 different sessions where they were able to get better knowledge of the athletic training profession with hands on experiences and interact with current students as well as staff members from the ATEP program. Each session focused on a different aspect of athletic training and highlighted the athletic training program here at UNO. Over the course of the semester the Explorers learned about the different settings athletic trainers work in by having guest speakers from a high school, UNO and clinical setting come and speak with them. They learned about concussions and how to recognize the signs and symptoms as well as spine boarding techniques and simple taping. The students that participated ranged from different age groups and classes and from many different high schools throughout the Omaha Metro area. The best part of the program was that not only did they get in-class learning experiences but they were also able to be more hands on with each other in the modalities section. The students were able to put each other through whirlpool treatments using the hot and cold whirlpools in the athletic training room. With the help of three of UNOs first year graduate students and Sam Wilkins, the students also got to see what electrical stimulation treatment is capable of when placed on different muscle groups of the forearm. Not only were the students able to participate in these sessions but they were also allowed to observe a game or practice with one of UNOs Division I sports teams so they were able to see the concepts they were learning about used in a clinical sense. The explorers program wrapped up their sessions with a fun night of jeopardy as well as an opportunity to watch the UNO womens basketball team in action at their first home game this season. The students walked away with better knowledge of the athletic training profession and a better understanding of what the ATEP program at UNO has to offer.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

North Pole Event History NSATA Update National AT Month UNO High School AT Day Working for a Living MATS in the Community MATS Socials Alumni Corner ATs in Action

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North Pole Event History

By Cassie Metzner and Suzi Miller

The North Pole Event is an annual event to entertain special needs children during the Christmas season. Each child is able to talk to Santa, interact with clowns, receive a face painting, play games, watch magic tricks, and eat lunch. Along with wonderful memories, each child gets a stocking stuffed with toys, candy, and a stuffed animal. The North Pole Event was first established by the Silverliners. The Silverliners were formed in 1954 by Carol Montell Harlin, Doris Coughlin Self, and Claire Ward Westhafer. These three stewardesses met with the owner of the Eastern Airlines, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker to start the organization. Captain Rickenbacker named the organization the Silverliners because his girls were the silver lining of any dark cloud. The Omaha chapter would load children from the Childrens Hospital and the Nebraska School of the Deaf on flights with Santa, an elf, and two reindeer to travel to the North Pole, which was Kansas City, Missouri. It was in 1988 that Eastern Airlines discontinued their flight from Omaha and ceased operation in 1991. This has not ended the North Pole Event as it is held in Omaha on the first Monday of December each year. In 2005, Pinnacle Bank joined forces with the Silverliners to co-sponsor the North Pole Event. Other contributors are the Scoular Company, the Shirt Shack, Faith Christian Clowns, Henry Doorly Zoo, John Hoich, the UNO Athletic Department, State Farm Insurance, and Woodmen of the World. This event is exciting to both the children and sponsors; we learned that much could be done without a budget, little money but with lots of love and good will, Suzi Miller stated.

NSATA News
By Katie Heckenbach

Over the last year, I have had the opportunity to be the UNO representative to the state, as well as the state representative to the district. In October, I was also elected to be the district student leadership council. From this experience, I have learned so much about how the state and district athletic training associations are run. As my time in this position is coming to an end, I am happy to announce Holly Remmenga, a current first year graduate student at UNO, will be my replacement as the UNO rep to the state and the state rep to the district. Katie Staiert, a current
Katie Heckenbach NSATA Representative

Holly Remmenga, a current first year graduate student at UNO will be the UNO rep to the state and the state rep to the district.

junior in the athletic training program at UNL, will be the state student leadership council president. I am very happy for both of these two ladies, and hope that the state and district student leadership councils will continue to grow.

The District V Student Leadership Council will be looking for one position to be filled by any member within district V. The council is looking for a person to help reform the constitution and help it fit the current needs of the district student leadership council. This position will be one year long, beginning at the NATA symposium this summer. For more information or if you know of an athletic training student in district V who would like to apply, please contact me at kheckenbach@unomaha.edu.

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By Melanie McGrath

Athletic Training Month

As we turn our calendars to March, many things may come to mind. Springtime, spring break, the transition to spring sports but March also means it is time to recognize and celebrate National Athletic Training Month. NATM was first created in 2001 in order to recognize and publicize the profession of athletic training. While many organizations and groups create events for NATM, college and university athletic training education programs often lead the way.

The theme of the 2012 NATM is Athletic Trainers Save Lives!. This year, the UNO athletic training education program and MATS are celebrating by: Making PA announcements at the March 2nd and 3rd mens ice hockey games Creating an athletic training-themed display for a large display case in the Eppley Administration Building on the UNO campus (on display March 7-31) Declaring Wednesday, March 14th as Hug an Athletic Trainer Day (see our facebook page!) Selling wristbands to raise funds for MATS
We hope that each of our alumni find a way to recognize NATM this year, whether it is by participating in the twitter hashtag days (#NATM on March 1, 15, and 29), organizing an event to bring recognition to our profession, or simply adding a signature to your email about NATM. We must continue to promote our profession, and our amazing athletic trainers, so we can continue to gain recognition as a valuable and important healthcare profession. Find out more information about NATM, and download some PR tools, at the following site: http://www.nata.org/national-athletic-training-month

UNO Annual High School Athletic Training Day

By Katie Heckenback

On a snowy day in December, 20 Omaha-area high school students braved the storm to attend the 2nd Annual Metro High School Athletic Training Day at UNO. While 33 students originally had registered to attend, the five inches of snow put a kink in some of the students plans. Nonetheless, the day went off without a hitch otherwise. Students were able to participate in a variety of athletic training topics. One section was known as Athletic Training in the Lab; students learned and participated in lab work with the Biodex, Motion Analysis cameras, and the Virtual Reality Simulator from the UNO Biomechanics lab. They also participated in spineboarding, learned about common MOIs and injuries that result, and tried their hands at a variety of rehabilitation techniques. At the end of the day, they finished it off with an athletic training relay, which included ice bag making, wrist taping, knee splinting, crutching, and cooler carrying. Every student walked away with at least one door prize, such as shoulder packs, hockey tickets, gift certificates, and more. Overall, despite the snowy weather, the day was quite a success for the high school students and the athletic training students alike.

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Graduate Students
Kelli Gutzmann: Midland University, Fremont, NE By Kelsi Huseman Shaneka Hampton: Coastal Carolina University, Myrtle Beach, SC Andrew & Christine Gschwind: University of Illinois & Marist High School, Chicago, IL

Last year the UNO ATEP program graduated 9 graduate students and 5 undergraduate students. For everyone currently in the program, the opportunity for jobs in athletic training looks promising! Almost everyone who graduated is working in the athletic training field in some capacity.

Kelli Gutzmann
Assistant Athletic Trainer at Midland University

Kelli has joined the athletic training staff at her alma mater and is enjoying the collegiate setting, covering practices and games in the afternoon and doing rehabilitation in the mornings. One of the road blocks Kelli is facing is her age. She states that being close in age to the athletes makes it harder to gain their trust with her athletic training skills. However, being close in age is also advantageous, as the athletes can relate to her about their lives. Her most memorable athletic training moment so far was working the Class A state football championships when she was with Millard South during her high school rotation.

Shaneka Hampton
Womens Basketball Intern at Coastal Carolina University

Undergraduate Students
Brooke (Groteluschen) Hughes: Faith Regional Health Service, Norfolk, NE Shelly White: Lincoln North Star High School, Lincoln, NE Jill Kumrow: Ralston High School, Ralston, NE

Twelve out of fifteen of my players have some form of either chronic and acute injuries or illnesses. It has been trying at times to prevent more injuries but a good learning experience as a first-year ATC, says Shaneka. One of her biggest mountains to climb came after a football player tore his ACL, LCL, lateral meniscus, ruptured his biceps femoris and damaged his posterolateral corner ligament (almost a full knee dislocation). Shaneka was put in charge of his rehabilitation program from start to finish. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation for running progression. Her typical day ranges from 8-12 hours per day starting with set-up, rehabs/treatments, documentation/insurance billing and writing/updating rehab programs and then she does pre-practice duties, treatments and taping and covers practice. She really appreciates student help when she gets it! A few things Shaneka is never without in her kit: basic wound care, bio-freeze and Palmers cocoa butter!

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Working For A Living Cont.

Andrew Gschwind & Christine Gschwind
Softball Intern at the University of Illinois & Athletic Trainer at Marist High School It wouldnt be appropriate if we didnt put Andrew and Christine together. If you didnt know, Andrew and Christine were married August 13, 2011 in Des Moines and relocated to Chicago where they are both working as athletic trainers. Christine said her most memorable injury so far was having a basketball player get an elbow to the lip. He felt fine with only a little swelling. Fifteen minutes later he fell to the ground. She sent him to the ER and he had sustained a subdural hematoma. He spent two days in the ICU. Christine said, It just goes to show that a hit in the head doesnt have to be those big hits that we see in football/hockey to be a serious injury. Andrew is looking forward to traveling with his softball team to California, Florida and New Mexico this spring and is looking to pursue a career in physical therapy within the next few years.

Faith Regional Health Services High School Outreach at Norfolk Brooke stays busy at Norfolk High preparing and covering practices and games. Her and the other athletic trainer cover all home events and travel to football and most basketball games. Her most memorable experience was spine boarding and riding in an unexpectedly bumpy ambulance! The two most important things in her kit are band aids and athletic tape!

Brooke (Grotelschen) Hughes

Shelly White
Assistant Athletic Trainer at Lincoln North Star High School
What are some of Shellys most memorable moments at UNO? Well, you can start with the fact that she NEVER got thrown in the swim-ex or the 90s at noon lunch time with Rusty and having dance parties in the taping room! Sounds like the UNO athletic training program was getting Shelly well-prepared for working in the high school setting! She always knew working in a high school would be the most enjoyable for her. She really enjoys the kids and has found that her favorites are the lower level teams because of their desire to play sports because they love it. UNO also taught her to work independently and allowed her to develop trust in herself and her skills. The most memorable moment at the high school was having to stabilize a football players C-spine and wait for EMS to arrive, which seemed like an eternity. She was the only medical professional on-site and said by the time EMS arrived her legs had started to go numb. The player ended up being okay, suffering from a concussion and sprained neck. We wish Shelly luck as she decides what path to follow for graduate school!

Jill Kumrow
Athletic Trainer at Ralston (NE) High School
Its out, its out! Ok, I got a little excited, Jill says, talking about one of her most memorable injury experiences. At an away football game one of her players went down and wasnt really moving. She went out and he said his shoulder hurt. As she was palpating his shoulder it was obvious his shoulder had dislocated. Luckily, there was an orthopedic doctor on-site and he was able to reduce it. Looking back I probably should have held my excitement in, but it was my first dislocated shoulder! Jill states. Jill is really enjoying working at the high school setting and said it is a big change from being around college athletes for so long. The high school kids have been fun and a new challenge to her as well. The coach staff has also been great to work with, especially being a first year ATC. UNO helped Jill gain invaluable hands-on experience, on real-people and to see first-hand how to handle situations.

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North Pole Event

By Stacy Dahlkoetter

Playful, interactive, and FUN! The members of MATS were able to help provide these adjectives to young, underprivileged children in the Omaha area. On Sunday, December 4th, a several MATS members met in West Omaha to load up broken down boxes and transport them across town to the Scoular Building. Once the boxes were brought inside the ballroom, the boxes were reconstructed and stacked on top of one another to build igloos. Each igloo was a different station in which the children would enjoy crafts, magic tricks, face painting, sit with Santa, and open gifts. We also helped stuff stockings for the kids. Each stocking included toys, stuffed animals and candy. The event was held on December 5th in the morning. That evening, another group of MATS members invaded the ballroom and dismantled everything to be stored for next years event.

Relay for Life Update

By Stacy Dahlkoetter

As March begins, we start to hone in on April 13th, the date for the 2012 UNO Relay for Life Event. The theme for the night is Scare Away Cancer. Since the designated night is Friday the 13th, the MATS team has chosen the name of Team Zombie, which also works well with the events theme. Throughout the year MATS has participated in several fundraisers. On February 10th, the UNO Relay for Life Committee held a fundraiser at Maple Woodlanes. We had 10 MATS members show up and there was a total of $450 that was raised that night. MATS 2010-2011 Team We are trying to plan a movie night, another noodles & company night and also something with Jason's Deli. There is only ONE MONTH before the event and we would love to have Relay for Life: MORE MATS members join our team. If anyone would like to join or donate please go to www.unorelayforlife.org -- with the team name: Team Zombies. When: April 13-14

Clock Tower Challenge

By Stacy Dahlkoetter

Time: 6pm-6am Where: UNO Sapp Fieldhouse Time to be had: FUN!!!

Every year UNO holds an event called the Clock Tower Challenge. This is a competitive event in which clubs across campus try to collect the most canned goods for a local food pantry. This years event is going to be held in April, so the MATS members have decided to hold an Easter Egg Hunt to help collect cans. The Easter Egg Hunt with be on Sunday, April 1st at 12pm in Elmwood park. The price of admission will be at least 2 cans per child.

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ValasPatterson Pumkin Patch By Louise

In late October we held a MATS social at Valas Pumpkin Patch in Gretna. On this day we got together to enjoy a beautiful, but windy day at the Pumpkin patch. Whoever said pumpkin patches were for kids, was sadly mistaken. We enjoyed attractions such as the corn maze, glow in the dark putt putt golf, the haunted house, and even story time with the talking dragon. In addition, we spent some quality bonding time with the animals in the petting zoo. However, one of the best memories at Valas was attempting to fit four people in the giant rocking chair for a picture. After some trial and error we managed to get situated in and smile for the camera. Going to Valas was a great way to relax and enjoy each others company while getting some fresh air.

Sister Program Volleyball Competition

By Holly Remmenga Bitter sweet. That is how I would have to describe the MATS November 13th outing to Iowa Western Community College. As we all gathered Sunday morning coffee in hand you could tell it was going to be a fun day. The fun started in the carpool to the school where we rocked out to music and got semi lost. We finally made it there and to the correct building then we got to meet the athletic training students at Iowa Western Community College. They were all extremely welcoming and a fun group of individuals. Once we all got a little smack talk out of the way the games began. It was a blast having a group of athletic training students get together and instead of watching the game like normal, be the ones playing. People were diving and sliding and rolling all over that gym floor trying to keep their team ahead of the other. Even though it was clear there was a slight competitive edge in the air I cannot think of a single moment when there wasnt laughter filling the gym. Throughout the course of the match there were some truly athletic plays which occurred and other plays not so much (My apologies to Keaya Webber for hitting her in the head on a serve). When the pizza arrived the match was tied one to one. Following our lunch break the game continued and in the end the Iowa Western athletic training students were victorious. They were presented with the golden crutch trophy and took their pictures with it before we all joined in. To close out the day we played a guys versus girls game. Youll have to ask one of the guys about the score of that game!

IWCC competitors Anytime you get a bunch of athletic training students in one place playing a little friendly sports competition you know it is going to be a good time. We want to thank the Iowa Western athletic training students for having us out there and showing us a fun afternoon. However we should let them know that next year we will be taking home that golden crutch!

Lets Play Dodgeball!

By Sara Shively If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball. The words of wisdom that I gave my teach prior to playing some of the exercise science students in dodgeball this past fall. Okay...so maybe I didn't come up with these exact words, but we did as a program have the opportunity to play a friendly game of dodgeball. There were about 6 of us that came to play, and I don't mean to brag but the girls showed up with their game faces on. We split the teams boys vs. girls and played the best of 3. I don't think the boys were expecting what was about to be thrown at them. Once they got tired of losing, we re-split the teams. It was athletic training vs. exercise science. It proved to be a pretty even match. In the end, we played a few more games and just mixed the teams. The night was very fun and gave us an opportunity to meet some new people. It was good for the athletic training students in particular to be able to relax and remember that hey there is life beyond clinicals and class!! I really enjoyed myself and would hope in the future that there could be a rematch.

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Alumni Corner with Janette Santee

1. Brief history of "you"... Where you are from. Sioux City, IA Year you graduated from UNO 2005 Where you are currently. Sioux Falls, SD 2. How did you become interested in athletic training? I was back home doing physical therapy on my shoulder after a pitching injury between my freshman/sophomore college years. The physical therapist put me in contact with the ATC for the Sioux City Explorers baseball team. Before I knew it I was doing a summer internship with the Explorers and completely fell in love with the profession. 3. What drew you to UNO? After doing research on entry-level Athletic Training Masters programs, UNO seemed to be the most reputable and affordable. 4. What was your favorite memory from UNO as an athletic training student? Pulling an all-nighter to cram for a modalities test with a classmate. I think we called Rusty at like 11:30pm for a concept explanation and he actually answered. Were there any events that you covered that stick out? Any injuries that stick out? My second year I did my internship with hockey, that was when I got my first taste of knee rehabs from start to finish under the guidance of Rusty. 5. Where are you currently working? Employed through Sanford Health Sports Medicine and outreached to the University of Sioux Falls 6. Please describe a "typical" day as an Athletic Trainer and your primary re sponsibilities. What is your current sport assignment? I typically go into the athletic training room around 1:00pm (morning treat ments are by appointment only) to do treatments and rehabs. Practices usu ally begin around 3:00 then continue through anywhere from 6:00-8:00pm. I currently have womens basketball, softball, and share mens/womens track 7. What has been the most memorable moment in your current position? For my birthday this year, the volleyball team brought me flowers, my favorite Juice Stop drink, and bagel while we boarded the bus for a 7 hour trip north. They made the day so special! Most challenging moment (i.e. Injuries??)? We have had an epidemic of spondys this year in all sports (men and women) so we have been trying to find the correlation and cause of this issue. 8. What is your favorite part about your job? My athletes have been phenomenal to work with. I feel like I have 150 children. 9. What has been your greatest career accomplishment (s) to date? I just worked my way into an adjunct faculty position as instructor of the Exercise Science Sports Medicine Practicum for the University of Sioux Falls 10. Do you have any pieces of advice for our future Athletic Trainers? Embrace the power of learning. Utilize the intelligence of other professionals. Always have fun at work.

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ATEP Students In Action!

With the help of Tim Fitzgerald, UNOs event photographer, we were able to catch some of UNOs Athletic Trainers (ATCs) and Athletic Training students (ATSs) in action. Take a moment to glimpse at the responsibilities of our ATCs and ATSs. With March nipping at our heels, it is important to recognize how truly important ATCs are to the sports medicine field and the integral role they play as physician extenders. Remember that March is National Athletic Training Month, so dont forget to thank an ATC for everything they do for our athletes!

Left Above: Katie Heckenbach and Megan Stuhr working at Colorado College. Above: Stacy Dahlkoetter making a finger splint with aquaplast. Left: Team Physician Dr. Shinaut sutures a laceration.

Top: Courtney Peart, Jordan Ellis, Louise Patterson, and Erin Hicks, ATC help construct igloos for the North Pole Event. Bottom: Lindsey Egger, Stacy Dahlkoetter, Cassie Metzner, and Heidi Murphy smile at the accomplishments of the day.

Above: Brooke Hughes (ATS), Sam Wilkins, ATC and Heidi Murphy help player to sideline. Right: Erin Hicks, ATC tapes an ankle.

Top Left: Micheal Buresh, and Jake Ulrich team up against the girls. Top Right: Cassie Metzner and Sara Shively showing the boys what girls can do. Bottom: Sara Shively, Cassie Metzner, and Stacy Dahlkoetter waiting to throw dodgeballs at the boys.

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Words of wisdomFrom If you have ANY questions, please feel free to contact us! Thank you for reading MATS Fall Newsletter
Stacy Dahlkoetter Editor in Chief sdahlkoetter@unomaha.edu Cassie Metzner Newsletter Journalist cmetzner@unomaha.edu Katie Heckenbach Newsletter Journalist kheckenbach@unomaha.edu Kelsi Huseman Newsletter Journalist khuseman@unomaha.edu Melanie McGrath Advisor mmcgrath@unomaha.edu

The Graduates
Stay in contact with the "contacts" you have developed over the years. Aside from having a good resume, I'll say 85% of us in this field have gotten our positions based on "who you know." Let experience, work and dedication speak for itself. UNO grooms and produces some of the BEST ATC's around and so long as you are confident in yourself and strive to be better, your performance will always standout above others and rise above minimal expectations. Always work hard. You may not get the clinical rotation you desire, you may not get to work with your favorite people, and you may not get your dream job; you always control your work ethic and desire! So, desire to be your best and always work hard to get there. You will always have a million thoughts going thru your head from all the classes, books, studying, etc. Trust yourself and your gut. And dont be afraid to ask for help or a little guidance that can only make you a better athletic trainer. Dont be afraid to say, I dont know. There is nothing wrong with not knowing every single thing that may happen to an athlete. Doing research and finding answers to things you do not know can only make you a better athletic trainer

Upcoming events
National Athletic Training Month ~ March MAATA Conference ~ March 15th-18th ATEP Banquet ~ April 21, 2012 Graduation

In the Bleachers

Remember to look for us on

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~ Undergrads: May 5, 2012 ~ Grads: May 4,2012 NSATA Conference ~ June 1st-2nd NATA Conference