Whitefield Academy’s Athletic Training Program
The Whitefield Academy Athletic Training Program is designed to provide quality sports preventative and injury care. As
the athletic health care needs have increased over the years, Whitefield responded by featuring a Certified Athletic Trainer.
The athletic trainer works closely with area physicians and the two team doctors. The team doctors are on-site for every
varsity home football game, and on call for all other games. Dr. Doug Lundy of Resurgeons Orthopaedics and Dr. Doug Murray
of Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic help to provide needed support in an effort to continue to provide the finest care possible
to each Whitefield student athlete.
Whitefield Academy’s Athletic Trainer strives to establish trusting relationships with the athletes, coaching staff, parents,
and the medical community. These relationships depend on effective communication between all parties involved, and a commitment
to do what’s best for the athletes. The athletic training room has up-to-date technology including an ultrasound machine,
two treatment tables, one taping table, one portable treatment table, spine boards, and defibrillators. The department also
has an emergency cart available on-site if needed.
Responsibilities
- Prevention of injuries resulting from physical activity
- Recognition, evaluation, and assessment of injuries and conditions resulting from physical activity
- Immediate care of injuries resulting from physical activity
- Rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries resulting from physical activity
- Professional development and responsibility
Whitefield Academy’s full-time athletic trainer is committed to providing comprehensive athletic healthcare for each of
the school’s student athletes. In the time between school and practice, the athletic trainer provides evaluations of injuries
to athletes to determine a safe participation status, preventative bracing and taping, and rehabilitative/reconditioning
therapy to any athlete with an injury. Athletes who are not able to participate in practice or contests are monitored while
they complete their rehabilitation program. The school’s athletic trainer works with the athlete's treating physician to
carry out any rehabilitative therapy prescribed and is prepared to deal with those injuries that occur throughout each practice
or contest.
Finally, Whitefield Academy’s athletic trainer is responsible for monitoring and instructing students interested in the
athletic training profession. A student-affiliated program, called SWAT (Student WolfPack Athletic Trainers) teaches its
student members skills ranging from taping to wound care to emergency care to injury prevention and ultimately to work as
a team with Whitefield’s Athletic Trainer.
To learn more about the athletic program or the student-volunteer program, please contact Danny Ryan, Head Athletic Trainer
at
dannyr@whitefieldacademy.com. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from the University of South Florida, and holds a Georgia Certified License in
Athletic Training. Ryan is certified in AED, CPR, and First Aid. He currently teaches a first aid class once a month for
the Georgia High School Association for new coaches. Prior to his arrival at Whitefield, Ryan served in the Athletic Training
Department at Georgia Tech.
Student WolfPack Athletic Training Program
The Student WolfPack Athletic Training Program, otherwise known as SWAT, is comprised of student volunteers who assist Whitefield
Academy’s athletic trainer and two team doctors. The students learn many skills throughout the year such as how to treat
open wounds, taping techniques, rehabilitation protocols, emergency action steps, and injury diagnosis. All SWAT team members
are assigned at least one team to help cover throughout the year. In addition, they are also required to spend at least
one afternoon a week in the athletic training room after school. For this dedication and commitment to Whitefield Academy’s
athletic program, SWAT members earn a varsity letter.
