Feb. 27, 2003

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Certified/Registered Athletic Trainers in Missouri will join their colleagues across the nation to celebrate National Athletic Trainers Month by hosting events to increase public awareness, and show the importance of athletic training throughout the month of March.

On March 4, 2003, the Missouri Athletic Trainer's Association will be celebrating "Athletic Training Day at the Capitol" in Jefferson City from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Ice cream and cake will be served in the 3rd-floor rotunda to kick off the festivities. Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Dick Vermeil will be in attendance at the Capitol to discuss the benefits of having an athletic trainer in the high school, university, and professional levels.

The National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA), which currently serves more than 30,000 members, including over 600 certified members in Missouri, is focusing on promoting the athletic training profession. NATA's goal is to make the public aware of the function, identity, and types of service performed by athletic trainers every day at every level of athletic performance - including professional, university/college, high school and clinical settings.

The American Medical Association recognizes athletic training as an allied health care profession, and its practitioners are the leading experts in health care for athletes and those engaged in physical activity. For more information on National Athletic Training Month, and "Athletic Training Day at the Capitol", please contact Eric McDonnell at the University of Missouri at (573) 882-2375. For more information on events nationwide contact the NATA at (214) 637-6282 or visit the NATA website at www.nata.org.