Unionville‑Chadds Ford spotlights athletic‑training team; staff note 1,500 injuries managed and expanded duties

Athletic‑training staff briefed the board on program scope, qualifications and a departmental review at the March 11 work session, and trustees praised the trainers’ role in both acute care and broader student health management.

Head athletic trainer described the department’s staffing (head trainer, an assistant, a middle‑school trainer and sports‑medicine partnerships) and noted athletic trainers are licensed healthcare professionals with national certification and, typically, a master’s degree. The trainers said they manage and review more than 2,100 physicals and reported approximately 1,500 injuries that generated roughly 7,000 athletic‑training room visits across middle and high schools last year.

Staff described a recent review that included surveys of students, parents and coaches; common positive findings were a welcoming environment and strong communication. The review prompted expanded injury‑prevention programming and a plan to create parent handouts to explain athletic‑training services, referral processes and how ATs coordinate with nurses, behavioral health staff and outside physicians.

Trustees congratulated the team. One trustee asked how many injuries were severe (concussions, fractures or season‑ending injuries) versus minor lacerations or bruises; staff said the 1,500 figure includes a broad range of incidents and that part of the department’s success is higher reporting because students feel comfortable seeking care.

Quote: “Athletic trainers are one of the few health care providers who have a relationship with their patients before they are their patients,” a district administrator said while praising the program.

Next steps: administration will continue to pursue injury‑prevention initiatives, provide clearer breakdowns of injury severity on request, and roll out consumer‑facing handouts for parents as part of preseason communications.