Athletic Training Education Program

Mitchell Copeland, D.O. Fellow Sports Medicine

Christopher Copeland, D.O., Fellow Foot/Ankle & Sports Medicine

Richard Knackendoffel, D.O.

M. Larry Copeland, D.O.

Patrick Sillix, D.O.

Kennan Vance, D.O., Fellow Sports Medicine

Mesa State College Athletic Trainers team with Western Orthopedics to provide the best care to our student athletes.

ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM

Head Athletic Trainer: Josh Fullmer, MS, ATC

Our athletic training room is a medium-sized facility with areas for taping, administering treatments, hydrotherapy, and rehabilitative exercise. Adjacent to the training room is a fully-stocked weight room which is utilized for sport-specific exercise. Our staff and facilities are equiped to provide the following therapies:

Once admitted to the ATEP, students are required to take a series of four, 2-credit hour clinical experience in athletic training courses, and two, 2-credit hour field experience courses; attend weekly in-service workshops, and complete a minimum of 1,100 hours of field experience and off-campus alternative experiences.

Field Experiences Mesa State College Athletics Program: at some point, junior and senior athletic training students will gain field experience during the following hours as part of their clinical education working in the Mesa State College Athletic Training Room:

• Rehabilitation hours (11-2 pm)
• Team Preparation (2-3:30)
• Sport Coverage (3:30-8:00)
• Game Coverage (evenings and weekends)

Off-Campus Alternative Experiences completed at Affiliate Clinical Education Sites

• Central High School/ Palisade High School
• Grand Junction High School / Fruita Monument High School
• Mesa State Health Center/ Desert Sun Medical
• Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• St. Mary’s Life Center
• Physical Therapy Specialty Center

SAMPLE CLINICAL CLASS (CLINICAL I)

Cryotherapy Versus Thermotherapy

Experiment 1 Effect of ice versus heat on muscle flexibility. Here the hamstring is stretched and the force of that stretch is standardized with a force transducer. Motion at the hip with the knee extended is measured with a goniometer and surface electromyography (EMG) is used to monitor electrical actity of the hamstrng during the stretch. These values are then re-assessed following ice and heat application, respectively.

Experiment 2 Effect of leg immersion in a cold versus a warm whirlpool on measures of cardiovascular function.

ATEP - Admission Requirements/Application

The Pre-Athletic Training major is not a degree granting major. It is designed for students who are planning to pursue a BS-Athletic Training degree but have not yet been accepted into to Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP).

Click here for ATEP admission requirements and application deadlines.