Browns, NFL Foundation Athletic Trainer Grant
Awarded to Two CMSD Schools
John Hay and James Ford Rhodes High Schools add certified athletic trainers to staff through grant
The Cleveland Browns announced that Cleveland Metropolitan School District's John Hay High School and James Ford Rhodes High School will receive funding to support new certified athletic trainers (ATC) through the NFL Foundation's Athletic Trainer Grant.
Through a dynamic collaboration with University Hospitals, and in partnership with CMSD, John Hay and James Ford Rhodes High Schools were able to add ATC David Silverstein and Stacey Gainer to its staff, respectively. Gainer and Silverstein will help provide year-round quality medical care on and off the field to the more than 18 sports programs and 600 youth competing in interscholastic athletics at the two high schools, which previously did not have the resources to retain ATC.
According to the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), only approximately 50 percent of high school students nationwide have access to a full-time certified athletic trainer (ATC), who play an important role in keeping young athletes safe. A recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics showed that the presence of athletic trainers can have a significant impact on student-athlete health, resulting in lower injury rates, improved diagnosis and return-to-play decisions for concussion and other injuries, as well as fewer recurrent injuries. Access to ATCs is particularly challenging in low-income and rural communities.
Both teams met at Collinwood Stadium on Friday night for Senate League divisional play. With cold and wet conditions, Rhodes defeated John Hay by a score of 8-0, advancing to 5-1 on the season.
The Browns and University Hospitals are dedicated to increasing player health and safety at the youth and high school levels. Through camps, clinics and other football-based initiatives, the team promotes healthy, social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of youth by enhancing opportunities for participation and education through our youth football platform.
About University Hospitals
University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of hospitals, outpatient centers and primary care physicians located throughout Northeast Ohio. The health system's patient care ranges from diagnosing and treating the simplest medical problems to understanding and curing the most complex and serious illnesses, from premature infants to the most elderly of patients. For more information about University Hospitals please visit, www.UHhospitals.org.
