It was an unusually difficult stretch for high school football in Arkansas, with multiple medical emergencies forcing two games to end early and sending one student-athlete to the hospital by helicopter.
And in each situation, Athletic Trainers were among the first to respond.
The emergencies began on a Thursday during a Van Buren Freshman Academy football game, when a student-athlete required immediate medical attention.
On a Friday, a Morrilton High School football player was transported by helicopter to Arkansas Children's Hospital during a game against Greenwood.
That same evening, the Cabot–Little Rock Christian Academy game was called off after three separate medical emergencies involving a coach, a student-athlete and a spectator.
Daniel Byrd, president-elect of the Arkansas Athletic Trainer's Association, described the series of events as potentially unprecedented.
But the emergencies also highlighted a larger concern.
According to Byrd, only about 33% of Arkansas schools have access to a full-time or part-time Athletic Trainer.
Athletic Trainers are trained to respond to emergencies ranging from serious injuries to cardiac arrest, while coordinating with emergency medical personnel and ensuring equipment such as AEDs is readily available.
Byrd compared having an Athletic Trainer to having a good insurance policy.
“You never really worry about your insurance until you need it,” he said.
Beyond emergency response, Athletic Trainers provide reassurance to coaches, administrators and parents that qualified healthcare professionals are looking after student-athletes.
Byrd is encouraging Arkansas schools without Athletic Trainers to contact the state association, which is working to expand access.
For the schools involved in these emergencies, Athletic Trainers were there when they were needed.
The bigger question is how many other schools would have that same support. Full article here.