Wabash High School published the following news release announcing the school's recognition as a NATA Safe Sports School for 2023-26:
Wabash High School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School, 1st Team award for its athletics program.
The award champions safety, and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment. A school may earn a 1st or 2nd Team Award; 1st is awarded to schools that act on all of the recommended and required elements. A 2nd Team is granted to schools that have completed only required elements.
Funding for this award was provided by the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association.
“Wabash High School is honored to receive this 1st Team recognition from NATA,” said Matt Stone, athletic director. “We remain committed to keeping our student athletes safe during physical education classes, team practices, and games; so they can accomplish their own goals of great competition, winning records, fair sportsmanship, and good health. Our goal is to lead our athletics program to the highest safety standards for our players. I would like to recognize all the individuals that had a hand in making this possible. Our Student Resource Officer, Sam Hipskind, Wabash City Fire/EMS, and our athletic trainer, Rylie White, who is provided by Parkview Sports Medicine.”
NATA President Kathy Dieringer said, “The health and safety of student athletes is critical as it has both immediate and long-term effects. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association created the ‘Safe Sports School Award’ to recognize and champion schools nationwide that are committed to safety in sports. We are proud to see the list of award recipients grow exponentially each year as schools see the immense value in holding themselves to best practices and policies that ensure a high standard of athlete care.”
In order to achieve Safe Sports School status, as Wabash High School did, athletic programs must do the following:
- Create a positive athletic health care administrative system
- Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations
- Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities
- Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment
- Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes
- Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions
- Provide or facilitate injury intervention
- Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan
- Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education
- Be sure athletes and parents are educated about the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities.
To apply, schools complete an in-depth questionnaire that assess adherence to best practice standards and recommendations. For more information about the Safe Sports School Award, visit www.athletictrainers.org.