Scotus Central Catholic Receives National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School Award
Scotus Central Catholic is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School award. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports. It reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.
“Scotus Central Catholic is honored to receive this 1st Team recognition from NATA,” said Merlin Lahm, activites director for Scotus Central Catholic. “Through the support of Columbus Community Hospital and our athletic trainer, Andrew, we remain committed to keeping our student-athletes always safe so they can accomplish their goals of great competition, fair sportsmanship and good health.”
“The health and safety of student-athletes is critical, as it has both immediate and long-term effects,” said NATA President Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC. “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, 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.
Educate athletes and parents about the potential benefits and risks in sports, as well as their responsibilities.
Andrew Sheridan, ATC, has been a certified athletic trainer for Columbus Community Hospital since 2018. He serves as the primary athletic trainer for Scotus Central Catholic providing game coverage, injury assessment and management, and overseeing return-to-play safety for Scotus athletes and their families. Sheridan is one of the hospital’s 10 athletic trainers who provide services to local schools in the surrounding areas.
“Andrew and Scotus Central Catholic are very deserving of this award,” said Rob Marshall, certified athletic trainer and director of the Columbus Fieldhouse. “Andrew provides highly-skilled athletic training services to each of his athletes while supporting their recovery and ensuring safety remains a top priority. He has built positive relationships with the athletes, coaches and families, earning their full trust and support. It’s no doubt he is a valued member of our team.”
To learn more about the athletic training services provided by the hospital, visit columbushosp.org.