UW-Platteville athletes have recorded pins, scored touchdowns, runs, baskets, goals and set numerous records this year. This is made possible by the superb shape that the athletes keep their bodies in, honed each day by rigorous training and the actions of the athletic training staff at UW-P.

The UW-P sports medicine staff provides a variety of medical services to approximately 450 university student athletes on campus. UW-P does not offer athletic training as a major; it is a volunteer or work study opportunity for students interested in the program. Almost all of UW-P’s trainers are biology majors that are pursuing an emphasis in bio-health. Many volunteer their time to the training program in order to gain experience that is otherwise not offered in the classroom.

There is an interview process for interested applicants, and some of the 2009-10 student staff includes Stephanie Skinkis, Jonathan Stevenson, Janet Hammond, Alex Thompson and Melissa Rufer.

Skinkis, a junior biology and physical therapy major stated that sports assignments for trainers are delegated by Head Athletic Trainer Scott Soja. Soja and the rest of the certified athletic trainers sit down and discuss what trainers would fit better in what sport.

“When we first start off we start in a sport that is less demanding and work our way up to sports that require a lot out of us as athletic trainers,” said Jonathan Stevenson, junior biology major.

While in the athletic training program students receive the opportunity to work with all kinds of sports teams and the injuries those players sustain.

“When dealing with injury, there [is] a flood of emotions that go through your body, and the most important thing, is to keep a level head, and deal with the situation at hand, and freak out later, if the need is there,” Skinkis said.

“Seeing a dislocated finger has been the most interesting thing I have had happened to me so far,” Melissa Rufer, sophomore biology major, said.

The student trainers of UW-P deal with their select teams every practice and game of the season. They assist athletes in returning from injury quickly and safely, keep players off the sidelines and learn valuable injury prevention techniques.

“All you know is that you have to be prepared for anything so that you can help the athlete to the best of your ability. I also love learning something new every day,” Stevenson said.