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Sports Medicine

UWF Student Athlete Handbook sports medicine information.

Table of Contents

Mission Statement

The Sports Medicine Staff at the University of West Florida is dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care for the intercollegiate student-athletes. Through prevention, recognition, and treatment of athletic injuries and illnesses, the staff promotes excellence in all university athletic programs as well as the total development of the student-athlete. The Sports Medicine Athletic Trainers will work with UWF Athletics staff members, team physicians and the rest of the medical community to ensure that student-athletes are physically and mentally prepared for intercollegiate practice and competition.

The objectives of the Sports Medicine Program at the University of West Florida are to:

  1. Provide all student-athletes with the highest level of medical care and sports medicine services possible.
  2. Assist Athletic Training Students in the pursuit of higher education and learning at the University of West Florida. Provide further opportunities for growth, hands-on experiences, and guidance through all aspects of Sports Medicine within an intercollegiate athletics program.
  3. Help build a sense of ownership in yourself, the university, your profession, and the program by:
    1. Displaying a positive attitude toward your work, your peers, the staff, the coaches, and the student-athletes.
    2. Maintaining professionalism at all times through appropriate attitudes, behavior, and professional practices.
    3. Continuously strive to acquire new knowledge through pursuing continuing education relevant to the profession of Sports Medicine.

Organization

University of West Florida Sports Medicine will be staffed by 9 full time Baptist Health Care athletic trainers. All Sports Medicine procedures are to be determined through the coordinated efforts of the Athletic Training Supervisor with the Team Physicians, UWF Administrative staff, and Baptist Health Care Administrative staff.

Health Care Services

The University of West Florida provides several support services to student-athletes. The following is a list of providers and contact information for services. For additional information about these services or any other information that you may need, contact the Athletic Training Supervisor.

  1. UWF Athletic Training Room - Provides care and prevention of athletic injuries and information pertaining to general health care concerns and medical referrals. Contact the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Facility at 850.474.2516.
  2. Student Health Services - Provides medical care and health information for currently enrolled students and dependents. Includes physician and nursing care. Contact number is 850.474.2172.
  3. Counseling and Psychological Services - Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is staffed by Licensed mental health professionals, clinical and counseling psychologists, and psychiatrists. CAPS offers individual, group, and couples counseling, skill-building workshops, and outreach services. Services are available to enrolled students free of charge. Information regarding an athlete’s contact with the center is confidential and may be released only upon his or her written request. The counseling center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.Contact number is 850.474.2420.
    Counseling & Psychological Services
  4. Student Accessibility Resources - Student Accessibility Resources (SAR) offers a variety of accommodations and services for students with documented disabilities including learning disabilities, deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision, mobility limitations, ADHD, psychiatric and medical conditions. Contact number is 850.474.2387.
  5. Services available 24 hours per day:
    1. Hopeline Network: 1.800.SUICIDE (784.2433)
    2. Trevor Lifeline for LGBT Youth: 1.866.4UTrevor (488.7386)
    3. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
    4. National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.4673
    5. Community Mobile Response Team Unit: 866.469.3554

Participation and Risk of Injury

Participation in athletics requires an acceptance of the possibility of risk of injury. Student-athletes rightfully assume that those who are responsible for such activities have taken reasonable precaution to minimize such risk and that their participating peers will not intentionally inflict injury upon them. Periodic analysis of injury patterns or refinements in the rules and other safety decisions will be made by the UWF Sports Medicine Staff and the NCAA. UWF will do its best to ensure compliance with all safety precautions in order to protect all participants.

The student-athlete understands that certain inherent risks are involved while participating in intercollegiate athletics and acknowledges the fact that these risks exist. The student-athlete willingly assumes responsibility for such risks while participating in athletics at the University of West Florida.

Physical Examinations

Pre-participation medical examinations will occur prior to participation in UWF Athletics activities. Examinations include a medical exam, orthopedic screening, sickle cell testing, cardiac screening and concussion baseline testing. In order for a student-athlete to complete pre-participation examinations, the student-athlete must complete all required documentation including a complete medical history and any forms needed for the future care of the student-athlete. Student-athletes are not permitted to participate in UWF Athletics in any capacity without prior approval from the Sports Medicine Staff.

Exit Medical Examinations will be performed for all student-athletes at the conclusion of their eligibility for the existing school year. This is the student-athlete’s opportunity to discuss with the UWF Sports Medicine staff any existing conditions and/or injuries. A plan will be put in place to ensure resolution of current conditions/injuries. Failure to disclose an existing condition/injury or to show up for an Exit Medical Examination will forfeit the student-athlete the opportunity to have the condition/injury addressed and/or covered by the school’s insurance at a later date.

Injury / Illness Notification

It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to notify the Sports Medicine Staff of any and all injuries prior to and during their participation. Injured student-athletes are required to report for rehabilitation and treatment as instructed by the Sports Medicine Staff.

Sports Medicine Facilities and Equipment

The UWF Sports Medicine Program will utilize two main Athletic Training Centers (Building 234 and 54) as well as numerous satellite “ready rooms” (Soccer, Baseball/Softball). The Athletic Training Centers are for the treatment and rehabilitation of athletic related injuries while the “ready rooms” are to be utilized only for immediate pre/post practice and competition treatment of athletes. Athletic Training Centers will operate by appointment only. Student-athletes seeking treatment / rehabilitation are to sign up for care on the school approved electric platform. “Ready rooms” will be available to student-athletes when an Athletic Trainer is on site for the following time frame; one hour prior to a practice / athlete report time for a game - 30 min after completion of practice/game.

Student-athletes may be provided medical equipment for the purpose of ambulation assistance or recovery post injury. All equipment is to be treated with care and respect and returned to the Sports Medicine Program upon cessation of use. There are to be no photos or videos taken within the facilities. All Sports Medicine equipment and facilities are to be treated with respect. Each student-athlete that enters the Athletic Training Center agrees to abide by the posted rules. Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from the facility and consequence to be determined by the Sports Medicine Staff.

Additional Policy and Procedures

Student-athletes are encouraged to review the following additional policy and procedures utilized by the UWF Sports Medicine Staff.

Policy and procedures are available on the Sports Medicine - Policies and Procedures webpage on the UWF Athletics website.

Emergency Management

If an athletic trainer is present, he/she will take lead and provide care and direction during the management of an emergency. If an athletic trainer is not present, the medical staff has reviewed and rehearsed the posted Emergency Action Plans. These plans are posted in Athletic facilities as well as on the website. These plans are also sent to visiting teams ahead of their travel to the University of West Florida to ensure proper planning and preparation.

Visit the Sports Medicine - Visiting Team Information webpage on the UWF Athletics website for more information.

Medical Records Information

The athletic department will keep on file a record of each student-athlete including Physical Examination Forms. This will be a permanent medical file that will be kept in accordance with present student health/University regulations. The student athlete can request records with a written request to the athletic trainer.

Mental Health Support

  • UWF currently partners with Counseling and Psychological Services, allowing each team to meet with a licensed Mental Health Counselor at the beginning of each year to discuss services and how they can receive help.
  • All student-athletes are encouraged to download and use “TalkCampus”. This is the University's free, anonymous student peer-support network.
  • The UWF Peer Health Educators promote health and well-being through outreach and events. They educate and empower students to manage their personal wellness and gain the skills to practice lifelong healthy behaviors. The Office of Health Promotion and UWF Peer Educators offer a number of health education services covering a variety of health areas (Sexual Health, Healthy Relationships, Personal Wellness, Stress Management, Anti-violence, Alcohol and Drugs). They are available for bookings to come to speak to your audience, provide health education activities for your events, or do tabling for events.