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trainers. The EyeGuide is a device which measures the tracking
of an athlete’s pupils. In just 45 seconds, it can alert trainers to a
potential neurological impairment.
All AISD student athletes, except those in swimming and
cross country in which concussions are rare, underwent baseline
testing with the EyeGuide at the start of the school year. The
baseline is compared with a new reading anytime a concussion
is a concern.
“I went to a neurosurgeon with the EyeGuide,” says Jena. “He
said the eyes never lie. When you hear from a neurosurgeon that
this is a great tool, it brings you a certain amount of comfort that
we’re doing the right thing.”
Once a concussion is diagnosed by a physician, AISD follows
University Interscholastic League (UIL) concussion protocol.
Students are rehabbed through the injury, for as much time as
it takes. The EyeGuide test is often repeated to monitor progress.
Student athletes can’t return to practice until both a physician
and parents agree.
A Game Changer
For parents making tough decisions, AISD’s next-level care for
student athletes is a game changer. Justin maintains there’s never
been a safer time to play football, or any sport, particularly in
AISD. The progress shows in the District’s participation numbers.
“The number of athletes is skyrocketing. Football… everything
has gone up,” says Justin. “Not every school district has athletic
trainers at practice, the capabilities of baseline testing or team
doctors so you can align your treatment with rehab. Everything
we have done has created a safer environment, I believe.”
“There’s not a lot of fanfare for student athletic trainers. They
don’t get to run through the tunnel, but they do a lot of hard work,”
says Tascosa High School Head Athletic Trainer Brian Mullins,
who oversees the school’s student athletic trainer program.
This year, Brian’s program at Tascosa is 40 students strong, but
there are dozens of student athletic trainers at each of AISD’s four
high schools.
Students enter the program as freshmen. “The fi rst year or two
are very intense with the knowledge base they’re learning,” says
Brian. “We’re trying to get them where they’re able to perform at
a certain level when they travel with the team. We have to know
they can tape an ankle, perform CPR if they need to, or administer
fi rst aid.”
For students interested in sports medicine or the medical
fi eld, the student athletic trainer program is a head start both in
knowledge and experience, and it puts them on a competitive
track to earning a college scholarship. “We fi ght for scholarships
for our trainers. I’ve had several in the last few years who’ve gone
on to be athletic trainers in college,” says Brian. “Our kids are very
well-rounded when they leave the program.”
To become an athletic trainer, students must complete an
application process, as well as meet certain grade requirements
and submit teacher recommendations. For more information on
AISD’s student athletic trainer program, students can talk to their
high school counselor.
Student Athletic Trainers
Anthony Harwell
Samuel Laney
Dawson Miller
Rajiv Saralaya
Dzmitry Savitski
Meera Shaw
Kaden Spellmann
Kincannon Wilson
Amarillo High
National Merit Commended Scholars:
Thomas Bales
Thomas Chen
William Chen
Gabrielle Douthitt
Thomas Diaz
Jesse Putman
Tascosa High
William Boyce
Amarillo High School
Luke McKay
Amarillo High School
Sahithi Tirumala
Amarillo High School
Amarillo ISD Congratulates our
National Merit Finalists!