Mount Pleasant High School has been named to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School 1st Team for its efforts to help keep MPISD Tiger athletes safe. The award recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes, including providing access to Certified Athletic Trainers.  MPHS is one of only 22 schools in the state of Texas and one of 381 in the entire country to receive the award.

“Being named a Safe Sports School gives the Mt. Pleasant community the assurance that we are doing everything possible to keep our student athletes safe,” said MPISD Superintendent of School Judd Marshall. “As a former coach, I know the importance of doing everything we can to keep our athletes safe from injury but also in providing the best possible care if they do get injured. I congratulate our Head Athletic Trainer Justin Hargrove and Assistant Athletic Trainer Jamie Denman on this award. The work they do is vital to our Athletic program and this award is deserved.”

MPHS received this award from National Athletic Trainers’ Association for its commitment to keeping all Tiger athletes safe during physical education classes, team practices and games, explained MPISD Athletic Director Corey Homer.

“We want our coaches and athletes to be able to accomplish their own goals of great competition, fair sportsmanship and good health. Our goal is to lead our athletics program to the highest safety standards for our players,” he added.

Physical activity is very important for our youth, according to NATA president Jim Thornton, MS, ATC, CES. “There has been an increase in competitive sports, which are, unfortunately, not without risk. Brain injury/concussion, cardiac arrest, heat illness and other injuries and illnesses are potentially life-threatening.” Proper planning with proper equipment and personnel is vital to the safety of student athletes today, he notes.

In order to achieve Safe Sport School status, as MPHS did, athletic programs must do the following:

  • Create a positive athletic health care administrative system
  • Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations
  • Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities
  • Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment
  • Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes
  • Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions
  • Provide or facilitate injury intervention
  • Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan
  • Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education
  • Be sure athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities

For more information please visit: www.athletictrainers.org.