Athletic Training Student Association

Purpose:  The Athletic Training Student Associations’ purpose is to encourage and facilitate further learning with fellow athletic training students and faculty.  We also combine fun activities and provide services to better the college and surrounding community.

Activities:

Massage-a-thon:  Student athletic trainers provide massages on the last Thursday of every month.  It is an inexpensive way to interact with fellow athletic training students, as well as the student body and serves as a fundraiser for the association.

Mentoring program:  Upperclassmen are paired with underclassmen to mentor and encourage them as they journey through the major.  This is a great opportunity for upper-class students to provide advice and offer help to first and second year students with regard to classes, sport experiences, as well as personal life issues.

Christmas Party: Every December we meet at the home of one of the certified athletic trainers for a Christmas party.  After a football game in the back yard – everyone plays regardless of weather conditions, we enjoy food cooked by the staff along with snacks and beverages brought by the students.  We all meet for our annual white-elephant gift exchange ($5 maximum) and who knows what you are going to get.  This is always a good getaway from school despite the pressure to study with final exams just around the corner.

Local Conferences: Local physical therapy clinics host evening seminars every few months.  Physicians and other health-care professionals speak or lead workshops that are attended by athletic trainers, physical therapists and our majors.  We usually will get a van or two or pile in cars and make the trip to a few of these each year.  The seminars are a great opportunity for both learning and networking with fellow professionals and food is always provided free of charge.

Senior Banquet: Each May, the graduating seniors are honored with a special banquet.  Family and friends as well as junior, sophomore and freshmen Athletic Training majors are all invited.  After our meal, the certified athletic trainers each speak, awards are given, and parents and underclassmen are given opportunity to speak as they wish.  Photos from the past, PowerPoint slide shows recapping their Messiah experience, gifts from the junior class to the seniors, and a senior class picture to the staff are usual parts of this evening. It is a great opportunity for fellowship and a celebration of the seniors four-years at Messiah College.

Other Activities: 

Movie nights

Bonfires

Easter egg hunts

Bowling nights

Hershey Park

Trips to Philly to watch baseball games or visit the Franklin Institute

Oriole Baseball games