STAFF
Colleen Shotwell - Coordinator of Athletic Training Services
John Paolini - Certified Athletic Trainer
Wendy Dietrich - Certified Athletic Trainer
2010-11 PHYSICAL PROCESS
Dear East Stroudsburg University Student-Athlete:
This letter is in regards to the 2010-11 physical process. The below information highlights the process you must follow to be medically eligible for intercollegiate athletic participation. Please review the material presented.
NEW STUDENT ATHLETES
All new athletes (freshman, transfer students, walk-on athletes trying out for a team) entering East Stroudsburg University are required to have a physical conducted by their family physician or general practitioner (MD or DO) within 6 months of the start of their collegiate athletic career. The Intercollegiate Athletics Physical is included within the University Health Center Physical Form that you should have received within your Orientation Informational Packet, Transfer Student Informational Packet or International Student Informational Packet.
In the event that you have not received the form, you can print a copy from the following link:
http://www4.esu.edu/current_students/student_affairs/student_services/health_services/pdf/health_report.pdf
It is imperative that your physician completes page 4 of this medical history report form. This page is designated to your clearance within intercollegiate athletics!
In addition every athlete (new and returning) will be required to complete and submit a re-examination health history questionnaire as well as receive a preparticipation screening conducted by ESU Athletic Training Staff prior to participation each year. The athletic training pre-screen will ONLY be conducted if the student-athlete has a valid pre-participation physical on file with the University Health Center. Please review and complete the
enclosed informational packet. The preparticipation screening date can be found on the cover letter of this packet.
RETURNING STUDENT ATHLETES
All returning student athletes are required to complete and submit a re-examination health history questionnaire as well as complete the preparticipation screening conducted by the ESU Athletic Training Staff. Please review and complete the
enclosed informational packet. The date of your preparticipation screening can be found on the cover letter.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the physical process, please feel free to contact me at 570-422-3165.
Sincerely,
Colleen Shotwell
Coordinator of Athletic Training Services
FORMS FOR 2010-11 PRE-SCREENING FOR ESU STUDENT-ATHLETES
Five forms are available at the following link - the entire packet must be filled out and returned to the ESU Athletic Training Office prior to July 24, 2010. (
2010-11 Pre-Screening Forms - link is the same as "enclosed informational packet" above)
GENERAL INFORMATION
It is imperative that all student-athletes be familiar with sports medicine policies and procedures for intercollegiate athletics. It is the function of the certified athletic trainers and the athletic training students to encourage athletic injury prevention, to care for those injuries that do occur, and to work toward complete recovery from the injury through rehabilitation. Failure on the part of the student-athlete to comply with the sports medicine policies may result in inadequate medical treatment or unnecessary costs charged to the athletes.
The Certified Athletic Trainers coordinate the day-to-day supervision of all aspects of the health care services, and all matters of injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and medical referral should be channeled through them.
Student-athletes should immediately report all injuries and illness to the athletic training staff.
If the athlete has to be referred for medical care or has time-loss from practice and/or games, then he/she must be "medically cleared" for return to activity. Clearance for practice and games is the prerogative of the athletic training staff, not the coaches.
SPORTS MEDICINE/ATHLETIC TRAINING PERSONNEL
Three certified athletic trainers and four graduate assistants are on staff and are responsible for specific team coverage.
An athletic training student will also be assigned to each team. Student-athletes should get to know the athletic training students quickly, since they will be the first line of communication for injuries and other medical problems.
The team orthopedic physicians are:
Dr. George Primiano, MD
Dr. Maurizio Cibischino, MD
Outside physicians may be utilized on an as needed basis for reasons such as individual insurance protocols; however, the designated team physicians will have the final decision on an athlete's playing status regardless of the opinion of such outside physicians.
For acute illness and other health concerns, student-athletes are encouraged to take advantage of the University Health Center (570-422-3553). A variety of medical services are provided there for ESU students for a nominal health center fee, paid by semester.
In order to get your pre-participation medical exam or be treated in the University Health Center, a Medical History Report must be on file in the health center.
ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOMS
The athletic training facilities are in Koehler Fieldhouse and include athletic training rooms in the Men's and Women's locker areas, as well as a treatment and rehabilitation clinic area on the second floor.
Phone numbers and hours:
Athletic Training Clinic (570-422-3337) is open and staffed from 2:00 PM to 6:00PM, Monday through Friday. Please report by 5:30 PM. During August pre-season, the facility will open one hour prior to practice. Non-semester hours are by appointment.
Men's Taping Room (570-422-3696) and Women's Taping Room (570-422-3645)
Other times for athletic training rooms or clinic operation will be arranged on an "as needed" basis.
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION
Information pending - please check back for updated information for 2010-11.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Certainly, emergency situations will arise in sports activities. It is the responsibility of the athletic training staff to provide first aid for minor emergencies and to make decisions regarding the necessity for further medical assistance and/or emergency transportation. In order to insure adequate care for all such problems, it is imperative that the Athlete Report All Injuries Immediately!
All open wounds and apparent bone, muscle, and joint injuries must be appraised by the athletic trainers so that appropriate treatment can be provided. Coaches will be notified regarding the athlete's playing status after the athlete has been thoroughly evaluated.
Athletes are reminded that many injuries to the head or to the internal organs may not present serious symptoms at first, but will, instead, result in problems occurring hours or even days later. When the athletic trainers are made aware of the injury, the athlete will be given specific instructions to insure his/her safety.
A student-athlete who is a campus resident and who feels that he/she may have an emergency situation should call Campus Police at EXT. 2000.
If a student-athlete is not a campus resident, he/she should dial 9-1-1 directly to secure emergency assistance.
Student-athletes who live off campus are also encouraged to make sure his/her current local address and telephone numbers are correctly provided to the Center for Enrollment Services to facilitate emergency contact.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)
OSHA has mandated health standards and guidelines to which the athletic training/sports medicine staff and facilities must comply. Specifically applied to the situation these regulations are in regard to contact with bodily fluids and in the handling of medical waste. For the protection of the student-athletes as well as faculty and student members of the athletic training staff, the cooperation of all personnel involved is essential.
It is imperative that all open wounds, scratches, abrasions, etc. be reported to the athletic training staff for appropriate cleansing and first aid to prevent infection such as MRSA.
MRSA POLICY
MRSA is a type of bacterium, like "staph," that some antibiotics can't treat. These infections can be dangerous and even life threatening.
MRSA is a common infection in all athletic populations, including men, women, high school, college and professional athletics.
MRSA is spread through close skin-to-skin contact, skin openings such as cuts and abrasions, infected items such as sports gear and clothing, and poor hygiene.
MRSA may resemble a pimple or spider bites and can be red, swollen, painful and may have pus or other drainage.
To prevent MRSA:
Wash your hands often with soap and water
Don't share your sports gear or personal items
Clean your sports gear often
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and bandaged until they heal
Do not touch other players' wounds or bandages
Please report any wounds to your athletic trainer and see a physician if the wound persists
MEDICATION AND DRUGS
Medications needed in an emergency situation, such as inhalers or epi-pens, should be given to the athletic trainers, who will administer them as needed during athletic participation.
The athletic training staff will not supply over-the-counter medications.
COUNSELING SERVICES
The Office of University Counseling and Psychological Services provides a variety of formalized counseling services for any ESU student (refer to current ESU Student Handbook). A student-athlete who feels that he/she needs to utilize such services is encouraged to do so.
MEDICAL HARDSHIP PETITION
A medical hardship request deals only with seasons of competition. A hardship request may be made when an injury or illness occurs and the student-athlete is unable to compete for the rest of the season (pursuant to approved calculation). The Head Coach will make formal notification to the athletic trainer assigned to his/her team and to the Associate Director of Athletics. In the event that a medical hardship request is applicable, the student-athlete should report to the athletic trainer assigned to his/her team for formal application.
EQUIPMENT
All support equipment, such as crutches, braces, and air splints that are issued to a student-athlete by the athletic training staff must be returned to the athletic training room, or the student-athlete will be held financially responsible for the replacement of the equipment. Athletes who do not return issued equipment at the end of the season will have a "hold" placed on their records. A "hold" means you cannot register for classes, change a course, or receive a transcript. A "hold" will remain on your records until the equipment is returned or paid for (replacement cost).
Equipment such as a brace, which is specifically ordered for the athlete by the athletic training staff, must be paid in full before the equipment will be issued to the student-athlete.