NSU Athletic Training Students and Faculty Attend 2020 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games

In February 2020, four athletic training (AT) students from NSU, along with AT faculty member Kelley Henderson, Ed.D., Assistant Professor and Clinical Education Director, traveled to Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, PA to provide medical care for the 2020 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games.

Special Olympics provides year-round training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities and athletes can range in age from 8 to 80.  This joint venture was coordinated with Sarah Manspeaker, Ph.D., an AT faculty member from Duquesne University, and included other AT students from Duquesne University and California University of Pennsylvania as well other licensed athletic trainers and physicians from Pennsylvania. Manspeaker, one of the medical coordinators for the event, stated “the contribution of certified athletic trainers and athletic training students is vital to the success of our State Winter Games.

Through their interprofessional collaboration with physicians, ski patrol members, and EMS, we are able to provide these athletes with thorough medical care throughout the course of competition.” The students were able to provide care for the athletes competing in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoe.  Each student was given an opportunity to rotate between each event to experience sport and weather conditions at different venues.  Senior athletic training student, Alex D’Innocenzo said, “To be able to attend the Special Olympics winter Games in Pennsylvania was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Being from Florida, the types of sports at the games were different from what I am used to but working with individuals with intellectual disabilities is not. I will forever be grateful for such an inspiring trip and cannot wait to continue impacting the lives of individuals in this population.”