Athletic Training
I. ATHLETIC TRAINING PERSONNEL
Jim Buriak, MS, ATC, VATL
Athletic Training Education Program Director
Cheryl Staver, MSEd, ATC, VATL
Clinical Education Coordinator
Mike Buurman, MA, ATC, VATL
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Bill Pratt, MSEd, ATC, VATL
Assistant Athletic Trainer
II. ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM HOURS OF OPERATION
The Athletic Training Room (ATR) will be open during the following hours for Open Clinic Monday through
Friday, 9-11 am and 1-2 pm. Out of season athletes and athletes needing long-term rehabilitation care
are encouraged to attend Open Clinic when needing care. Please schedule an appointment with Mr.
Mike Buurman if possible. (buurman@roanoke.edu or 378-5155)
The Athletic Training Room will re-open through the week around 3 pm for daily operations for practices,
unless of course an in-season practice or game begins earlier. If treatment is needed before practices,
student-athletes should arrive one hour in advance to ensure being at practice on time. It is the studentathlete’s responsibility to arrive at practice on time. On the weekends, the ATR will open one hour before
practice and two hours before a varsity event. If post-practice/game evaluation or modalities are needed,
please report to the ATR immediately following practice/game. In the absence of an Athletic Training
Staff member, the ATR will be locked and only ice maybe used if a coach opens the ATR for an athlete.
At no time should any person other than a certified athletic trainer use any other treatment modality.
III. MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY FOR ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION
All medical forms must be completed and returned to Mr. Mike Buurman by August 1st for fall athletes,
and September 1st for winter and spring athletes. Student-athletes will not be allowed to participate
and athletic equipment will not be issued until all necessary pre-participation forms are completed.
All forms may be accessed at the following website:
www.roanoke.edu/athletics/athletics/athletics/athletic_training.cfm
Freshmen and transfers are required to fill out an insurance information sheet and a freshman/transfer
student-athlete medical history form.
Upper classmen are required to fill out an insurance information sheet and have the pre-participation
sports exam form completed and signed by a physician.
When completing the insurance information please be legible and fully complete the form. This will help
speed up the claim filing process that may arise due to unfortunate injuries incurred during the athletic
competitions. It is not necessary to complete both insurance columns. Please provide only the insurance
info for which the student is covered. It is also requested that you fill out the insurance companies phone
number and address so that we can process the claims in a timely fashion.
Medical Insurance Coverage
If an athletics-related injury occurs that requires medical treatment beyond treatment by the staff ATCs,
the student-athlete’s personal insurance will be the primary insurance coverage. Roanoke College
provides secondary insurance for all varsity student-athletes for acute injuries that occur during practices
and/or games. “Only accidents which occur in intercollegiate sports are covered. An accident is defined
as an unexpected, sudden and definable event which is the direct cause of a bodily injury, independent of
any illness, prior injury, or congenital predisposition. Conditions which result from participation in a sport
do not necessarily constitute accidents. For example, illnesses, diseases, degeneration, conditions
caused by continued stress (e.g., stress fractures) to a particular area of the body, and existing conditions
aggravated by an accident may not be covered” (Student Athletic Protection Insurance).
Coverage by RC’s secondary insurance carrier is only in excess of any family or employer group
coverage or plan. It will not duplicate benefits. Proper procedures for filing claims with the primary
insurance plan must be followed, and it is the responsibility of the student-athlete and his/her family to
follow those procedures. For example, if the primary insurance is an HMO, a referral may need to be
obtained for the athlete to see a physician in Roanoke that may be outside of the coverage area. The
secondary insurance plan is only responsible for medical charges that would have been payable had the
proper procedures been followed and the proper vendors used. Medical treatment by a licensed
practitioner of medicine must begin within 90 days of the original accident. When claims exceed $15,000
the incurring period is extended to 104 weeks.
Once an athlete sustains an acute injury related to athletics that requires medical referral, a staff athletic
trainer will complete an insurance claim form. Medical bills that are not covered by the primary insurance
company may be brought to the athletics department for filing with the secondary insurance company for
their review.
Our secondary insurance company requires all student-athletes to complete an authorization form for
insurance processing prior to participation in intercollegiate athletics, and the NCAA requires proof of
primary insurance.
Pre-participation Sports Exam
All student-athletes must pass a preparticipation physical examination each year. The exam consists of a
complete physical examination and an orthopedic examination. Student-athletes who do not pass the
exam must obtain documented medical clearance prior to any participation, including practice, weight
room, and competition. Documentation of clearance, and/or any limitations from the treating physician is
mandatory. Note: Any student-athlete who has been under a physician’s care for an existing condition, or
has seen a physician for a recent or current medical illness/injury, will be required to obtain a written
clearance from the treating physician prior to participation. A student-athlete who fails an exam must get
documented medical clearance before he/she is permitted to work out with any intercollegiate team. A
written clearance from the treating physician stating any physical limitations is mandatory.
Walk-on Candidates/Open Tryouts
Any student-athlete who wishes to walk-on or tryout for a team must complete the above forms to be
eligible.
All personal medical files will be maintained in a double-locked office and maintained for a period of ten
years.
V. GENERAL POLICY: INJURY/ILLNESS
If a student-athlete is injured during a practice or athletics event, and a certified athletic trainer (ATC) has
not previously evaluated the injury, the student-athlete should report to the athletic training room during
normal hours of operation (hours indicated above) for evaluation. An ATC will evaluate and document all
athletic injuries. Based on the evaluation, the ATC will determine the appropriate treatment and
rehabilitation programs for all athletic injuries, including referral to appropriate medical professionals.
Athletic training students may evaluate injuries under the direct supervision of an ATC, and may
implement treatment and rehabilitation programs at the discretion of an ATC. Under no circumstances
may athletic training students serve as ATCs. If a referral to a physician is deemed necessary, an ATC
will make an appointment with the Roanoke College team physician, or the student-athlete may make an
appointment with his/her physician of choice.
V. ATHLETIC TRAINING COVERAGE PRIORITY
The athletic training staff will provide services based on the following priorities:
 In-season athletes over out of season athletes
 High risk of injury sports over low risk of injury sports (e.g., collision over non-contact sports)
 Home events over practices
ATCs will not be traveling with teams for away events, however will call in advance to visiting team ATCs
to make arrangements for the team’s injury needs to be met.
VI. ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM POLICIES

Athletes requiring any treatments for injuries should make a concerted effort to be in the athletic
training room 1 hour before practice and 2 hours before contests.

Food and drink are not permitted in the athletic training room (ATR). Please leave them outside
in the hallway.

Cleats are not permitted in the ATR. Please remove them before entering.

Athletes must be dressed appropriately. If muddy or dirty, he/she should clean off before coming
into the ATR.

Use of proper language is always required and expected…please refrain from cursing.

Athletes should not treat themselves without checking with the athletic training staff first.

Athletes are required to sign in each time they receive treatments.

Please leave all equipment and bags outside in the hallway.

If athletes are not receiving treatment, performing rehab or getting taped, they should not loiter in
the ATR.

The athletic training staff will set up water and ice for game days however athletes are
responsible for practice days. See coach for duties.

Athletes responsible for getting ice and water for practices should clean all coolers and water
bottles after each use.

Athletic training students are attempting to learn, so please be patient with them as they carry out
treatment plans for athletes designed by the ATC.

All tobacco products are strictly prohibited.