I recently attended the annual Southeast Athletic Trainers Association Clinical Symposium & Members Meeting and the constant question I hear is why do more people not attend and what value is it to me? Well, I could not begin to address it all but there is great...

Recently, I’ve attended conference of Physicians statewide who are working to place an Athletic Trainer in every high school. Coaching legend and highly successful successful coach Bobby Bowden shared many stories and supports this cause. More education of the public...

 What an important role the Athletic Trainer can play in your life or that of your child’s. I recently met a local Athletic Trainer who helped to save the life of a high school female basketball player by using an AED & CPR. Athletic Trainers do save lives. The...

 It was disturbing to hear recently that a long time athletic trainer was dismissed for his role in a bullying scandal within an NFL team.  Disturbing, that it was going on in the first place and disturbing a colleague got caught up in it by not intervening for an...

Hot topics in sports health in 2014? Jim Mackie, MEd, ATC, LAT Sports concussions remain in the spotlight. According to recent publications declining numbers at the youth and high school levels, not to mention the avalanche of data coming out about the severity of...

Do it right the first time Jim Mackie, M.Ed., ATC, LAT One of the principles Winston Churchill lived by was to "aim high in all you do" We hear "Pay attention to detail", "If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time when will you have time to do it...

Jim Mackie, M.Ed., ATC, LAT The Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors won their 4th State Football Championship in early December. It has been a privilege to work with an incredible group of coaches and young men this season as their Athletic Trainer. They are a most...

What are they thinking? Jim Mackie, M.Ed., ATC, LAT Parents make some incredible decisions and after raising two kids and a number of grandkids I do respect the complexity at times. Growing up we had a show which featured, "kids say the darnedest things" But really,...

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Society one in every 13 children has a food allergy. For these, an accidental exposure or ingestion of a food allergen, such as peanuts, fish, shellfish and be life-threatening. An anaphylactic...

Take the "time out", before the game begins Jim Mackie, M.Ed, ATC, LAT A good practice as you begin games is to take the time before a contest to introduce yourself as the Certified Athletic Trainer. It's comforting and assuring to those who are glad you are there. An...

Its sometimes the little things that make the difference Jim mackie, M.Ed., ATC, LAT I just read of a tragic situation where a young high school athlete in New York died of a heat stroke during a strenuous football conditioning or practice session in July. This is one...

You probably think that's what you'll be a part of as you enter another sports season. One practice after another. That may be true but another part of our skill set as Athletic Trainers is reviewing and practicing your emergency skills in case the scenario arises. I...