{
  "id": 153585,
  "title": "NMMC Sports Medicine trainers have helped keep student athletes safe for decades",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/nmmc-sports-medicine-trainers-have-helped-keep-student-athletes-safe",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-05T01:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nmmc-sports-medicine-trainers-helped-010300925.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For the start of a new school year, student athletes are preparing to hit the practice fields, and with that, coaches are reminded to prioritize safety in the heat. North Mississippi Medical Center Sports Medicine Program has been a crucial presence at nine area hospitals and Itawamba Community College for the 31st consecutive year. With 12 certified athletic trainers on hand, the program is dedicated to ensuring the safety of student athletes through various methods, particularly focusing on combating the extreme heat.\n\nOne of the key strategies employed by the program is maintaining optimal hydration levels and implementing a modified practice schedule. Coaches must be vigilant in monitoring temperatures and the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which measures heat stress conditions and helps determine the safety of outdoor practices. The Mississippi High School Activities Association mandates the use of these readings, providing essential guidelines for safe practice durations in full football gear.\n\nUpon assessing heat exhaustion, the trainers at NMMC Sports Medicine Program ensure the availability of a cold tub. At both Tupelo High School and Itawamba Community College, two trainers are stationed on campus almost daily, ready to assist the student athletes. They are actively present for all varsity sports and many junior high football games, both home and away.\n\nIn the event of sports injuries, the athletic trainers set up emergency action plans and perform initial assessments to determine the severity of the injury, distinguishing between strains and sprains. If the injury requires additional medical attention, the trainers refer the athlete to a physician. The program also offers a free Saturday morning injury clinic for injured varsity athletes during football season, providing free x-rays, consultations with orthopedists, and personalized treatment plans to support recovery.\n\nBeyond immediate safety measures, the NMMC Sports Medicine Program plays a significant role in education and prevention. They provide CPR certification training for students and coaches, hold annual free pre-participation physicals at local high schools, and host educational clinics on injury prevention. Additionally, the program offers lectures and health classes to various organizations and career fairs, demonstrating their commitment to community well-being.\n\nWith over three decades of experience, the NMMC Sports Medicine Program has witnessed significant changes in the field of sports medicine. Program Manager Walt Wilkins takes pride in the substantial impact the program has made in the community, firmly believing that it serves as a vital resource for the area's student athletes.",
  "summary": "Even though it's hot enough to turn a giant Hershey's bar into a mug of hot chocolate in minutes, with the start of a new school year, the thoughts of many turn to football. While student athletes hit the practice fields, area coaches must temper excitement for a new season with precautions for keeping kids safe in the heat. Athletic trainers from North Mississippi Medical Center Sports ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The NMMC Sports Medicine Program's longstanding presence underscores its integral role in safeguarding student athletes, setting a standard for prioritizing safety that other communities might emulate.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}