The schedule for the 2008 CATS Annual Symposium in St. Louis has been finalized. Registration is open for CATS members and college and university athletic trainers.

Each time we organize a symposium for our members the quality of the program is very important to us. Despite the fact that this is a one-day program, CATS understands that many members are unable to attend our Spring Symposium in Las Vegas. This year's annual program includes several interesting case studies, a NCAA Sports Medicine update provided by Dave Klossner, Director of Health and Safety, presentations from Washington University's Team Physicians, Mark Halstead, MD and Matthew Matava, MD also Team Physician for the St. Louis Rams. Former CATS President, Maria Hutsick, and MIT Director of Sports Medicine, Tom Cronan, will address the issue of Life and Work Balance offering strategies for different college settings.

Our sponsors continue to show their support for the college and university athletic trainer. Once again, Johnson and Johnson is sponsoring a lunch buffet for members while Gatorade continues to sponsor our social. Their generosity is appreciated. Without their financial support along with our other sponsors, PRO, Aegis and DonJoy, CATS can continue to keep its registration fees nominal.

Please join us in St. Louis on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. Registration begins at 9 a.m. where you can join us for a continental breakfast. The first presentation begins at 10 a.m. Members arriving to St. Louis late in the day will be allowed to register late or can still join us for the social. Attendees can also enter to win a trip to the 2009 Spring Symposium in Las Vegas. The winner will be announced at the social.

The College Athletic Trainers' Society (CATS) is accepting applications for the 2008 CATS Family Scholarships.

Four scholarships are available, each in the amount of $2000.00 for one academic year. Sponsors endowing these scholarships are BuzzeoPDMA, Inc. sponsoring the Otho Davis Scholarship, Pro Orthopedics sponsoring the Moose Detty Scholarship, Johnson and Johnson and Gatorade. To qualify, applicants must be a son or daughter of a CATS member and enrolled full-time at a college or university for the year 2008-2009.

CATS was founded to promote high quality care for student-athletes, foster close working relationships with organizations whose interests are to promote intercollegiate athletics and to address the needs and concerns of college and university athletic trainers. Many of our members struggle with low salaries, rising tuition and loss of remitted tuition waivers, in return CATS and its sponsors have worked together to create this opportunity to reward deserving recipients and provide financial assistance.

More information about the CATS Family Scholarships is available on the College Athletic Trainers' Society website by visiting www.collegeathletictrainer.org > Scholarships. The deadline for receipt of applications is May 16, 2008.

Last year's 2007 Scholarship Recipients

Otho Davis CATS Family Scholarship, sponsored by BuzzeoPDMA
Meghan Stenger
Daughter of David Stenger, University of California, Berkeley

Moose Detty CATS Family Scholarship, sponsored by PRO Orthopedics
Kayla Harward
Daughter of Craig Harward, South Carolina State University

Johnson and Johnson CATS Family Scholarship
Kaitlin Anderson
Daughter of Scott Anderson, University of Oklahoma

Gatorade CATS Family Scholarship
Jeanna Vice
Daughter of R.T. Floyd, University of West Alabama

In an attempt to diversify the pool of qualified Site Visitors, the CAATE has extended its submission deadline and invites ALL Athletic Trainers who have been BOC certified for five years, regardless of practice setting, to apply to become CAATE Site Visitors. Site Visitors are responsible for the review of accreditation self-study materials as well as the validation self-studies and actual activities of CAATE-accredited programs for consistency with the Standards for the Accreditation of Entry-Level Athletic Training Education Programs.

CAATE Site Visitor Training involves a two-step education and testing process. The first step of this process involves the successful completion (>85%) of an on-line examination, which is designed to evaluate the candidate's understanding of the CAATE Standards. Only those who successfully complete the on-line exam then are invited to participate in a Site Visitor training session in St. Louis in conjunction with the NATA Symposium. The on-site training is scheduled for June 18, 2008 from 1-5 PM. To apply for this upcoming Site Visitor Training, please submit the following information via email or US Mail to the CAATE Office by March 31, 2008:

• Current Vita
• Copy of current BOC card or on-line verification
• Letter of interest to become a Site Visitor
• One letter of recommendation (may not be from any CAATE member)
• List of three additional references (name, position, phone and email)

Mail Application Materials to:
CAATE
2201 Double Creek Drive
Suite 5006
Round Rock, TX 78664
caate@sbcglobal.net

The College Athletic Trainers' Society would like to introduce the CATS Quality of Life Award sponsored by PRO Orthopedics. This award is given to the College Athletic Trainer or the Collegiate Athletic Training Staff that has risen to the occasion or continually acts to improve the quality of life of fellow collegiate athletic trainers. Improvement can be in the form of, but not limited to: addressing staff concerns relative to family, time-off, salary compensation; providing extra benefits; implementing plans to reduced workload, increase personal time, or improve work place environment.

CATS and Gerry Detty, President of PRO Orthopedics, are excited to present this monetary award to CATS members. Detty conveys, "I highly doubt there is a college athletic training staff that is not overworked and understaffed. However, it is the manner in which they handle the unusual that is thrown their way while maintaining their sanity and quality of life that matters. The one who can laugh in the face of adversity and continue on as if nothing is wrong is the ideal candidate."

"This is a unique award which serves our members directly and indirectly," says Josephine Lee, CATS President. Lee further explains, "Our goal is to introduce recipients and share their stories. We hope recipients of this award will inspire other athletic trainers while providing CATS members with a new perspective on issues like addressing staff concerns, salary compensation and working to improve the workplace environment."

CATS and PRO Orthopedics, CATS Founding Sponsor, shares a long history together. "We give much thanks to Gerry Detty and PRO Orthopedics for their generosity," says Lee. "Gerry's father, the late Moose Detty who founded PRO Orthopedics, served his life as an athletic trainer. For years, the Dettys and PRO have given back to the athletic trainer. Gerry now carries his father's torch and continues his father's legacy in supporting athletic trainers. The creation of this award for college athletic trainers adds to the Detty legacy."

Criteria for the CATS Quality of Life Award
Nominations can come from anyone associated with the individual or staff.

Only active CATS members are eligible for the award.

Nomination shall be submitted to the CATS Family Scholarship Committee by annual deadline, March 1st, for consideration. Submissions will be in the form of a letter(s) with appropriate documentation completely describing the situation and actions of the nominated party.

Nominations can be retroactive to July 1, 2007.

The Award shall consist of $1500.00 to be used by the winning individual/staff in any manor they choose.

Recognition of the winner(s) will occur at the CATS Spring Symposium or Annual Symposium.

CATS Officers, Board Members and Scholarship Committee Members are not eligible for monetary award.

More details about nominating procedures will be provided in the near future.

This information was provided by the latest edition of the Sports Testing Services Client E-Newsletter from Aegis Sciences Corporation (http://www.aegislabs.com/).

Aegis Sciences Corporation's Inaugural Substance Abuse Wellness Symposium

Please join Aegis Sciences at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown in Nashville,TN on February 28th and 29th for our inaugural Substance Abuse and Wellness Symposium.

A cocktail reception will be held in the Pinnacle Lounge over looking the Nashville skyline at 6pm on Thursday February 28th. The conference will be held in the Davidson Room beginning at 8am on Friday February 29th.

The Sheraton has provided a special room rate of $119 plus tax per night. When making your reservation, please indicate you will be attending the Aegis Sciences Substance Abuse and Wellness Symposium to receive the discounted room price. The phone number to the Sheraton is 615.259.2000.

Registration for the symposium is free and Certified Athletic Trainers will receive 7.5 CEU's from the NATA.

Read specific details regarding
Conference Registration, Agenda, Faculty and Hotel reservations.

Interesting Reading
One recent interesting article of note regarding supplements re-emphasizes the point of buyer beware. Supplement Contamination Levels in the US Market

A report released on December 5, 2007 stated that one quarter of sports supplements tested positive for contaminants such as steroids and stimulants which have been banned by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA).

Click here to read the entire article

If you have any questions or need any additional information regarding the information above, please feel free to contact me or Christine Batson at Aegis in the Sports Testing Services division.

Aegis Service Updates: Aegis Sciences is pleased to announce the introduction of two new services. On Monday January 28, Aegis Sciences will begin offering Ethyl Glucuronide-EtG (alcohol) testing as an addition to current client profiles or as an individual test. The current Ethanol test is still available however, the EtG test provides a significant increase in the window of detection - from 12 hours to 72 hours. For additional information and pricing regarding EtG testing, please contact Aegis Sciences at Sports Testing Services or Client Services.

The most significant new service, beginning on Friday February 1, is the lunching of our Web Based Reporting. As in previous newsletters, when the web-based system is operational, the e-mail reporting option we currently offer will be discontinued.

For more information about Aegis Sciences please contact:

Mike Colello, MS, ATC
Manager, Sports Testing Services
615.425.4625 Office
216.337.2348 Cell
mcolello@aegislabs.com

Aegis Sciences is an official sponsor of the College Athletic Trainers' Society.

info@aegislabs.com | 800.533.7052 | www.aegislabs.com
345 Hill Avenue Nashville, TN 37210

Meeting space is limited and offered at no additional charge to CATS members. To reserve meeting space please contact Eric Rozen, erozen@sports.rochester.edu

The Johnson and Johnson Sports Medicine Group proudly announces the introduction of their new website, www.jnjsportsmed.com

In responding to the needs of the athletic training community we have provided a one stop, single source site for up to date information. The Athletic training community can view new and existing product information, identify distributors and upcoming events in their region, read tips from their peers, and much more.

The introduction of this website will enable the athletic trainers to not only get all the up to date information they need on new and existing JandJ products for their athletes but it also provides information on various taping techniques and the practical uses of our product lines.

In addition it allows them to learn from each other by providing tips from the field including various case studies.

Athletic trainers using this site may also register to receive a "Free" 3 pack sample tube of our new lightweight cohesive tape Activ-flex (while supplies last) that launched this past June and was featured at the NATA in Anaheim.

Over the past 12 years, of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has been studying sports-related concussions and providing athletic trainers and team physicians with better methods to manage this injury for their athletes. Because of his achievements and dedication to the field of athletic training, Kevin Guskiewicz will be honored with the Jack Weakley CATS Service Award by the College Athletic Trainers' Society (CATS).

The award honors individuals who have demonstrated loyal support for the members of CATS, made significant contributions to improve the role of the college and university athletic trainer and has provided exemplary service throughout his or her career. It is named after Jack Weakley, director of the Sports Medicine Group for Johnson and Johnson Consumer Products Company. Since CATS' inception in 1992, Weakley was instrumental in providing leadership, guidance and support of the organization. His service is honored through award recipients who share the award moniker's motto, "Helping those who help others."

Guskiewicz' goal is to help future athletic trainers appropriately manage concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries. "My real passion," he said, "is trying to find a way to help athletic trainers and team physicians make clinical decisions about these injuries."

Guskiewicz is currently the director of the Sports Medicine Research Laboratory and has held a joint appointment in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in the School of Medicine at UNC since 1998. He said he's proud to be recognized by CATS. "I'm honored to be receiving this award. They (CATS) are really making such a difference," he added.

"His work is unique, practical and deserving of the award," said Dr. James B. Tucker, Associate Team Physician for Syracuse University Athletics and CATS Board Member. Tucker has read Guskiewicz' research and listened to his lectures, "He has been and remains on the cutting edge of mild traumatic brain injury research and practical application. His approach is organized, succinct and of great benefit to the clinician," Tucker added. "I think CATS is honored by his membership and ongoing participation. I look forward to his presentation(s) each year. He is a tremendous resource for the sports medicine community."

Guskiewicz developed an interest in concussions during his graduate assistantship with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989 where he worked as an athletic trainer. While working for the Steelers, he pursed his Master of Science Physiology/Athletic Training degree at the University of Pittsburgh. He continued his research with his doctoral dissertation at the University of Virginia where he studied the effects of concussions on postural stability.

Guskiewicz, now 41, continues to investigate sports-related concussions and the long term consequences of repeat concussions on athletes as the Research Director for the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes in the NFL.

He has written more than 40 articles on his research. His most recent work involves the study of head impacts on football players through radio frequency sensors called accelerometers. These devices are positioned inside the football helmets of players who participate on the field. By placing the device in the UNC football team helmets, Guskiewicz explained he can measure the impact of a tackle. So far he and his staff have collected measurements from more than 100,000 impacts. "It's been exciting," he said. "It's an evolving line of research, not just for myself, but for other folks around the country; I've found it to be very rewarding. My focus is to help college athletic trainers."

Guskiewicz said he feels his research is making a positive impact, "We're really making a difference in people's lives, not just in student-athletes, but in (athletic) trainers," he noted.

He added that his studies would not be as far along as they are today if it weren't for the involvement of other athletic trainers from across the country that have helped him collect data. "We've worked really hard to get our data out there," he said. "We're creating an awareness, not only among athletic trainers, but we're trying to help educate athletes themselves about the dangers of playing while still symptomatic."

When Guskiewicz manages to find free time, he coaches youth baseball. He has three boys, 10, 9 and 7 years old. "They're a handful to say the least," he said. He attends their baseball and football games not only to watch his boys play, but also to make sure all athletes are safe. "It's a lot of fun. It's a great way to end my day," he added. Additionally, there will soon be a new addition to the Guskiewicz family as he and his wife, Amy, have recently adopted a baby girl, Tessa, arriving this summer.

Guskiewicz will be traveling to Las Vegas for the award presentation with his wife, Amy. The presentation will take place on May 17 at 6:30 p.m. at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Information provided by the NCAA Education Services/Health and Safety:

The NCAA announces the development of a new online tool: Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics: A Practical Guide for Colleges and Universities to help member institutions understand Title IX compliance and develop strategies specific to their needs and mission.

For more information please visit the NCAA website: http://www1.ncaa.org/membership/ed_outreach/gender_equity/homepage.html

CATS Members:

After going to the Gender Equity page, please click on the link to review the manual, "NEW…NCAA Revised Gender Equity Manual: A Practical Guide for College and Universities"(pdf). Of interest to our members is Section IV-G, Provision for Medical and Training Facilities for Services (pages 52-55).

Points of interest:

• Location and quality of athletic training rooms should be reviewed so each sex is being assigned in an equitable manner.
• Priority of access to the athletic training room and proper prioritization of the deliver of services.
• Facilities and their availability to both genders.
• Institutions must guard against a team-assignment process that places student athletic trainers primarily with women's teams for practice, competition and travel assignments.
• Access to team doctors and specialists needs to be provided on an equitable basis.
• Checklist for Medical and Athletic Training Facilities and Services

The American College of Sports Medicine recently published a position stand on exercise and fluid replacement. This position stand summarizes current knowledge regarding exercise with respect to fluid electrolyte needs and the impact of their imbalances on exercise performance and health. This position statement replaces the prior position stand on exercise and fluid replacement published in 1996. >>> View Position Stand