UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
ATHLETIC TRAINING ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
College of Health and Nursing Sciences
Dept. of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences
Volume 1 Spring 2004
Athletic Training Education Program
Conforming to New CAAHEP Mandates
The Commision on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the accrediting
agency for undergraduate athletic training
education programs nationwide. Specific
mandates concerning the content of clinical
education have been instituted. At UD students
are now required to take practicum credits each
semester to satisfy the necessary clinical
proficiencies. The practicum classes are held each
week during the semester and provide students
with an opportunity to improve upon their clinical
skills. In addition, students must meet minimum
clinical hour and clinical evaluation requirements
based on feedback from the Approved Clinical
Instructors. Future plans call for the appointment
of a full-time clinical coordinator. This person
would be responsible for all components of the
clinical education program.
In an effort to provide UD athletic training
students with a wide variety of clinical
experiences a number of new clinical sites have
join efforts with UD. Among these new sites are
Dynamic Physical Therapy, Pike Creek PT, PRO
PT and Christiana Care. Students in the ATEP are
now required to spend a minimum of 8 weeks at a
clinical site during their tenure in the program.
Additionally, students must spend one full
semester working in a high school environment.
UD is working hard to prepare the athletic training
students for the ever-changing employment
environment. We believe that with the strong
efforts of the faculty and clinical staff that our
students will get a positive clinical experience
during their tenure in the program.
Inside this issue:
2
From the Desk Of…
5
Alumni Spotlight (Julie
Moyer-Knowles)
7
Baltimore Alumni Party
Hen Droppings:
- Congratulations to Keith Handling and Joan Couch along
with the athletic training students who worked football
during the memorable UD National Championship season!
-Eric Cousino a sophomore athletic training student has
been awarded a prestigious Science and Engineering
Scholarship through UD. Eric will spend the summer
working with Dr. Kaminski on a project examining
concussions in girl’s soccer.
- Many thanks to the Carl Eaton, ATC, PT for his
contributions to the athletic training program during the last
year. Carl is moving to California to begin a new
opportunity with Elite Physical Therapy in Los Angeles.
Athletic Training 1
future successes will be cultivated.
The new program gets the ATI
students more involved in all facets
of the program and mainstreams the
students into the actual sports health
care process. A total of 21 ATI
students are vying for a spot in next
year’s curriculum program.
News and Notes
from the desk of:
Dr. Tom Kaminski,
Director of
Athletic Training
Education
The 2003 – 2004 school year comes
to a close I can’t help but look back
on the many successes during this
my first year. Many thanks to all
who make the program flow so
smoothly especially my AT
colleagues Dr. Higgins, Keith
Handling, Joan Couch, John Smith,
Carl Eaton, and Jeff Schneider, our
qualified clinical instructors,
graduate students, and most
importantly the undergraduate
students themselves. It never ceases
to amaze me how the quality of
student continues to soar. The
marker of any good program is the
success our students have on the
NATA certification examination.
Our numbers continue to rise and
place our success rate well above the
national average. Congratulations to
our most recent graduates who were
successful on the NATABOC exam.
One of the many successes of this
year was in the revamping of the
Athletic Training Interest program.
For those “old timers” this used to be
called the “DO” (Directed
Observation) program. Dr. Higgins
took control of the program in
September and has developed an
excellent foundation from which
I would encourage each of you to
visit our newly revised AT web site
at
http://www.udel.edu/HESC/AT/Site/i
ndex.html There you can find most
anything about our undergraduate
program and keep up-to-date on
exciting alumni news. Thanks to all
of you who continue to correspond
and update me on your progress,
successes, and changes. It takes
some time to maintain the alumni
database, but it is well worth every
minute.
Word of mouth is an important
recruiting tool so please share our
web site address with prospective
students.
I’m looking forward to meeting each
of you in Baltimore at the UD ATEP
Alumni Party scheduled for
Thursday June 17th at the Baltimore
Brewing Company. See additional
information about the party in this
newsletter.
Best wishes go out to Dr. Higgins as
he takes the helm as Program
Director at Towson State University
in Towson, MD. The ATEP is losing
an outstanding teacher and role
model. You will be missed.
Lastly, please help to patronize our
corporate sponsors this year Cropper
Medical/BioSkin, MedEast Post Op
& Surgical, and Rehab World.
These companies have been very
supportive of both the alumni
newsletter and party this year.
Looking forward to seeing you all in
Baltimore! Happy 2004 and Go Blue
Hens!!
News and Notes
from the desk of:
Keith Handling,
Head Athletic
Trainer
The 2003 football season was a
record setter for the “Fightin Blue
Hens”. As most of you know by
now, the University of Delaware
football team won the NCAA 1-AA
National Championship on
December 19, 2003, by defeating
Colgate University 40-0 in the
championship game, in Chattanooga,
Tennessee. During the season, we
had a record of 15-1. One of the most
memorable games of the season was
beating the U.S. Naval Academy 2117 at their homecoming game. Over
35,000 people attended the game and
it seemed that at least half the crowd
were Delaware fans. At the
beginning of the game we were down
0-14 but we rallied to win. We won
the Atlantic 10 Championship,
winning the championship in the last
minute, of the last regular season
game, by defeating Villanova
University 20-17. During the
tournament, we hosted 3 games. We
defeated Southern Illinois, Northern
Iowa, and Wofford University. We
also won the Lambert Cup. At the
championship celebration held at the
Bob Carpenter Center, Head Coach
K. C. Keeler credited the Athletic
Staff and the athletic training
students for playing an important
role in the success of the team.
I would like to mention two other
important news items. Dr. Michael
Higgins has been named the Director
of the Athletic Training Education
Program at Towson University. We
wish him the best of luck in his new
position. As you know, Michael was
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a very important part of our program.
We will miss him. I would also like
to mention that one of the first
student trainers I had the opportunity
to work with at the University of
Delaware (before we had an
accredited ATEP) was Jim Wagner,
an electrical engineering major, who
was a student trainer for the football
team for four years. This past
September, he was appointed
President of Emory University in
Atlanta, Georgia. If you ever visit
Emory University, stop by the
President’s Office and say hello to
“Wags” for me.
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Michael Higgins, ATC, PT
Education: PhD, University of Delaware – 2003; M.Ed. University
of Virginia – 1991; B.S. PT University of Buffalo- 1988; B.A. William
Penn University – 1986.
Teaching Responsibilities: HESC 481 Lower Extremity and
Spine Evaluation; HESC 449 Advanced Topics in Athletic Training;
HESC 405 Therapeutic Exercise of Athletic Injuries; HESC 350
Functional Kinesiology; HESC 210 Emergency Care and First Aid.
Professional Activities: President Delaware Athletic Trainers
Association; National Athletic Trainer's Association District II Executive
Board; Board of Certification Examiner for NATA.
One feature of the newsletter is to spotlight a faculty or staff member who is a vital part of the athletic training education program.
This year we focus on Dr. Michael Higgins. We are especially proud to have had Dr. Higgins as a member of our faculty and
sports health care team over the last 10 years.
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It seems just like yesterday when I first walked into the DFH athletic training room. I remember my first day on the job; coming to
work the first day of camp and the senior student who is working with the team was late. I thought this might be an interesting
career move. But it has been a very interesting career move all for the good. I don’t remember how we covered all of the events
with only three staff and 1 GA my first years here.
I have had many great educational experiences. But I have learned the most from interacting and instructing all of the students
whom I have come in contact with over my career and will still learn from them in the future.
I feel my greatest accomplishment at Delaware is kicking all my former students butts in hoops (they know who they are). On the
realistic side I feel that all of the students whom I have been able to help enjoy and embrace the profession of athletic training and
make their educational experience fun as my best accomplishment.
Now ten years, three children, numerous students, too many good memories and a PhD later, it is time to move on. It is with
excitement and sadness that my future is taking me to Towson University to become the Director of their Athletic Training
Education Program. I have been blessed with great memories of lasting relationships that have developed through my years at
Delaware.
I would like to thank all of the staff and students whom I have shared these last ten years with and hope you keep in contact with me.
Student Athletic Trainers’ Club (SATC) News
Curriculum students gathered together after an early morning meeting
L to R Front Row: Carrie Steinman, Matt Koscs, Christine Kowalchuk, Cara Cordrey, Megan Heronemus, Nikki Hoffman, Kristen Prentice Back
Row: Kris Foulke, Eric Cousino, Adam Rosen, Nikki Surdam, Amanda Pupillo, Ryan Hahner, Kristin Dorr, Kristy Vodvarka, Abbey Steel, Jenn
Willis, Katie Lyons, Alison Ingalsbe. Missing: Jessica Hamrick, Joanna Mikhail, Megan O’Neill
Congratulations to our 2004 graduates:
Ryan Hahner (PT school @ UD)
Megan Heronemus (GA @ Alvernia (PA) College)
Christine Kowalchuk (PT school @ Drexel University)
Kristy Vodvarka (undecided)
Jessica Hamrick (undecided)
Nikki Hoffman (GA @ James Madison University)
Abbey Steel (OT school @ Thomas Jefferson University)
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Nikki Hoffman, SATC President presents
Keith Handling with the first SATC Service
Award for his on-going contributions to the
ATEP and service to UD. Congratulations
Keith!
-SATC members donated $100.00 to the Delaware Adopt-a-
More Hen Droppings:
-The Student Athletic Trainers’ Club (SATC) was awarded
a $2500.00 Alumni Enrichment Award to defray costs
associated with attending the NATA convention in
Baltimore in June 2004. A total of 10 students will
accompany the ATEP faculty and staff at the convention.
-20 ATEP students participated in the American Cancer
Society’s “Relay for Life” event held in the Delaware Field
House on Saturday April 17, 2004. The students raised over
$1000 for this worthy cause.
Alumni
Spotlight
Dr. Julie Moyer-Knowles (l) in her role as
president of UD’s Alumni Association
Family program following a raffle event held in conjunction
with the Winter Holiday Banquet held December 14, 2003 at
the Blue & Gold Club.
-ATEP sophomore Kristin Dorr recently interviewed with
Richie Bancells, Head Athletic Trainer for the Baltimore
Orioles for a summer PBATS internship. Congratulations
Kristin
A feature of the newsletter will be to
keep alumni in tune with others who
have graduated from the ATEP and
made a significant contribution to the
community. This year we highlight
Dr. Julie Moyer-Knowles.
of months after graduation, she
moved to Alabama and pursued a
Master’s degree in Sports Medicine,
followed by a doctorate in vocational
rehabilitation from Temple
University.
Dr. Julie Moyer-Knowles graduated
from the University of Delaware
Physical Therapy Program in 1982.
While attending the U of D, she also
was enrolled in the university’s
athletic training program. A couple
After U of D, Julie worked in acute
care hospitals, outpatient sports
medicine clinics, and at high schools
and colleges performing physical
therapy and athletic training services
as part of her graduate assistantship.
Since 1984, Julie has been involved
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with the United States Olympic
Committee. Her roles have included
being on the US Olympic
Committee’s Sports Medicine
Committee and the Medical Staff for
the Olympic Games starting in 1988
in Seoul, Korea. In 1990, she opened
Pike Creek Physical Therapy in
Wilmington, which now includes
four Southern Delaware Physical
Therapy sites from Smyrna to
Rehoboth Beach.
In terms of her involvement with the
University, Julie currently serves as
President of the University of
Delaware Alumni Association. The
purpose of this association is to help
service U of D alumni and promote
the goals of the institution. They
have developed a scholarship
program for incoming freshman,
enrichment awards for students (of
which some PT students have
benefited), professorships, and
various alumni awards throughout
the university, insurance programs
for alumni, travel opportunities, and
many other enjoyable projects. The
Alumni Association is now in the
process of supporting the Center for
the Arts, a beautiful new construction
project being erected near the Amy
Dupont Music building which will
promote music, theater, and the arts.
In addition to the Alumni Board at U
of D, Julie is also involved with the
Athletic Department’s Steering
Committee, and the Gender/Racial
Equity Committee.
and Dr. Rylander were the first
inductees ever. Julie says “I cherish
my memories of college days at the
University of Delaware, and am
grateful of the education and
experiences I had while being an
athletic training student.” We too
are grateful to have such an
important ambassador for our
profession and program here at UD.
Julie was recently inducted, along
with Dr. C. Roy “Doc” Rylander,
into the DATA Hall of Fame. She
HOW DO I SUPPORT MY ALMA MATER?
If you would like, you may now target your gift to UD to be sent directly to the “Student Athletic Trainers’ Club” internal account.
Those athletic training alums that wish to do so may send the check to the University of Delaware Office of University
Development or visit the “Campaign for Delaware” web site at http://www.udel.edu/PR/CampaignUD/Pages/page5a.html
Friday May 7, 2004 at the College of HHP
Honor's Day Convocation in the Willard
Hall the following ATEP students were
honored for their academic achievements:
Cara Cordrey - Robert A. Layton Award &
Lee J. Hyncik Athletic Trainer
Achievement Award
Nikki Hoffman - Dr. C. Roy Rylander
Outstanding Senior Student Athletic
Trainer Award
Matt Koscs - Paris Delligati Memorial
Award
Nikki Surdam - Department of HNES
Book Award & Julie Moyer Knowles
Outstanding Student Athletic Trainer
Award
L-R: Matt Koscs, Cara Cordrey, Megan Wenner, Dr. Kaminski, Nikki Surdam,
Nikki Hoffman.
Megan Wenner - Outstanding Master's
Student Award from the Department of
Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences
Athletic Training 6
ANNUAL FIGHTIN BLUE HEN
ATHLETIC TRAINING ALUMNI BASH...
IT'S TIME TO PARTY THIS YEAR AT:
The Baltimore Brewing
Company
(aka DeGroen’s Grill)
WHERE: 108 Albemarle Street,
Baltimore MD 21202
WHEN: Thursday-June 17, 2004
TIME: 8pm-11pm
COST: $10, Payable at the door
INCLUDES: food buffet, drinks, door
prizes, benefit raffle
Sponsored by: Cropper Medical, Inc.,
MedEast Post-Op and Surgical, The
Delaware Athletic Trainers’
Association (DATA), and Rehab World
Athletic Training 7
Athletic Training 8
http://www.delata.org/
MedEast Post-Op and Surgical
John Blaskovich, President
1407 Bethlehem Pike
Flourtown, PA 19031
215-233-9200
215-233-4834
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Athletic Training
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