Kevin Mauldin, athletic trainer and teacher at Oak Grove High School, was honored during Monday’s meeting of the Lamar County School Board, as the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School Award. Mauldin and OGHS are the state’s first recipients of this award, which champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have the recommended standards to improve safety in sports. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.
Mauldin, from Sumrall, and a graduate of the LCSD, has been an athletic trainer at Oak Grove for more than 15 years.
“Oak Grove High School is honored to receive this recognition from NATA,” said Helen Price, Oak Grove principal. “We remain committed to keeping our student athletes safe during physical education classes, team practices, and games so they can accomplish their own goals of great competition, winning records, fair sportsmanship and good health. Our goal is to lead our athletics program to the highest safety standards for our players.
In order to achieve Safe Sports School Status, athletic programs must do the following:
• Create a positive athletic healthcare administrative system.
• Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations.
• Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities.
• Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment.
• Provide a permanent, appropriately-equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes.
• Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions.
• Provide or facilitate injury intervention.
• Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan.
• Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education.
• Be sure athletes and parents are educated about the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities.
Supt. Tess Smith said Mauldin works both on and off the field. “He’s an outstanding educator,” said Smith, “so we’ve got the whole package. I appreciate his efforts not only at Oak Grove, but the things he’s done district-wide to bring our trainers together.”
To apply, schools must complete an in-depth questionnaire that assesses adherence to best practice standards and recommendations.
