Spring 1982 - Athletic Training History

AssociationActivitiesBob Behnke, Indiana State University, Rick Carter, HolyCross University, and Jim Conboy, Air Force Academy,worked with their staffs and MIZLOU Television Networkin producing the feature.The program emphasized the professional preparationand continuing education of the athletic trainer, andhighlighted the value of the trainer and proper equipmentin preventing and treating injuries. The efforts of thesethree trainers will benefit all athletic training programs.Suggestions for future editions of "They Keep 'EmPlaying" will be welcomed by MIZLOU TV, 535 FifthAvenue, New York, New York 10017.Member CreditsDavid Yeo, ATC, DPEMontgomery CountyCommunity CollegeDr. Holly E. Wilson, one of the first five women in 1970to become a certified athletic trainer, received IndianaState University's Distinguished Alumni Award in October.Dr. Wilson is a sports medicine consultant for theAmerican Red Cross, and works for a sports medicineclinic in Berkeley. She has written a basic care andprevention of athletic injury text geared for the volunteercoach.Trainers at World Games for the DeafDavid Bullock, Talawanda High School (Ohio), KathyFox, University of Central Florida, Jack McNeeley,Cleveland State University, Chris Neuman, AmericanScientific Products (formerly of Kansas State University),and Ken Wolfert, Southwest Ohio Sportsmedicine Center,were the trainers for the United States team at the 14thWorld Games for the Deaf held in Cologne, West Germanylast July. The five trainers prepared our 172 deaf athletes,ages 12-30, for competition in volleyball, tennis, track,swimming, water polo and wrestling. Following a threeweektraining camp at Morganton, North Carolina, theU.S. competed against athletes from 31 nations, andgathered 109 medals. The USSR earned the secondhighest number of medals, 55. These 1981 games markedthe first time that the American Athletic Association forthe Deaf had affiliation with the U.S. Olympic Committee.In 1985 the World Games for the Deaf will be held in LosAngeles. It is hoped that many of our trainers will have anopportunity to participate in this rewarding, fulfilling,and challenging experience.* * *Joe Godek of West Chester State College, while chairmanof the National Athletic Trainers Council of theNational Association for Sport and Physical Education,coordinated ten articles on the theme "Sports Health andPreventive Care" which appeared in the September issueof the NASSP Bulletin, the journal of the NationalAssociation of Secondary School Principals. Includedwere articles on administering a program, guidelines, certificationof trainers and liability. This Bulletin shouldserve as a valuable resource for school administratorslooking into the sports health and preventivecare programs for their schools.* * *Several NATA members were responsible for theathletic training program, "They Keep 'Em Playing", PartVI, shown during the Tangerine and Bluebonnet Bowls.John "Jake" Nevin of Villanova University was honoredwith "Jake Nevin Appreciation Night" in November. Therecognition, which took place prior to Villanova's basketballgame against Cibona of Yugoslavia, paid tribute toJake who is entering his 53rd year of service to athletictraining, all at Villanova University. Jake has been inductedinto the Villanova and Big 5 Athletic Hall of Fame,and received the NATA 25-Year Service Award in 1963.* * *Olympics for the Physically DisabledBy Larry Leverenz, ATCWestern Illinois UniversityJune 21, 1981, marked the opening of one of the largestsporting events in the world. Since its origin in 1960, theOlympics for the Physically Disabled have provided anarena of competition for thousands who otherwise wouldnot have an opportunity to participate in an internationalsporting event. Unfortunately, with the exception ofthose involved, the event goes practically unnoticed in theUnited States.The games originated under the guidance of ProfessorDr. Sir Ludwig Guttman in Stoke Mandeville, northwestof London. On an assignment of the British government heestablished a rehabilitation center for war invalids. Theprimary object was to increase the chances of survival ofthe patients, despite their handicaps. This led to sporttherapy.This branch of disabled sports athletics has grown andgrown throughout the years. Since the originalwheelchair games the Olympics has been expanded toinclude not only paraplegics but also amputees, blind, andthose athletes with cerebral palsy.This year the sixth Olympics were held in Arnhem andVeenendaal, Netherlands. Approximately 2000participants from 42 countries were present. This is anincrease of about 500 over the 1976 games in Toronto. Forthe Netherlands this was the largest international sportsevent since the Olympics in 1928 in Amsterdam.The United States sent a team of approximately 150athletes and 35 support staff to Arnhem. Representationby disability included approximately 60 paraplegics, 50blind, 15 amputees (these were all D class amputees inwheelchairs, no standing amputees attended for theUSA), and 25 cerebral palsied athletes. The U.S. made agood showing in Arnhem bringing home 198 medals, morethan any other nation represented. Poland was secondwith 178.The Dutch Organizing Committee did a tremendous jobproviding for the special medical problems encounteredby the disabled athletes. They had physicians, dentists,nurses, physical therapists, and a pharmacy in theOlympic village as well as medical personnel at the gamesites. They also provided individual team medical staffsworking space and supplies as needed.Immediately upon arriving in the Olympic village theathletes were required to have a medical evaluation toofficially verify their classification within each disability.Athletic Training • Spring 1982 47