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Paula Maxwell, Ph.D. '99, is clinical associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences in the School of Public Health and Health Professions. She directs the department's Athletic Training Program.
The Athletic Training Program is a fairly new program of the Department of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences. Why was it developed and what is its mission?
UB had an internship (apprenticeship-type) program in athletic training for several years. As of Jan 1, 2004, all internship programs were phased out nationally, and only those programs that are accredited or seeking accreditation remain. When faced with the decision to either seek accreditation or phase out the program, UB recognized that because there were virtually no entry-level graduate programs in athletic training, there was a huge opportunity to develop a new and very different kind of program. UB recognized the uniqueness of a program that would combine an already strong major in exercise science with athletic training, incorporating the research emphasis of UB and the clinical opportunities that exist in the Buffalo area. In addition, it was decided to establish the program as a five-year BS/MS, which would make it unlike any other athletic training program in the country. Our mission, therefore, is to develop athletic trainers who display excellence in athletic training and in exercise science through scholarship, skill and research. We are striving to become a leader among athletic training programs nationally, both educationally and through service to the community and the profession.
What exactly is athletic training? How does it differ from personal training and exercise science?
Athletic training is the prevention, care, assessment and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes. It is often referred to as "sports medicine." We are the ones you see taping ankles, or running out onto a field to care for an injured athlete, or evaluating an athlete to see if he/she is able to return to the game after an injury. Athletic training focuses on athletic injuries, whereas exercise science studies the physiological responses of the body to exercise. Personal training is the profession in which exercise science skills and principles are used to develop strength and conditioning programs to help a person "get into shape." Athletic trainers are well-versed in exercise science and incorporate these principles into the daily care of the athletes, but this is not the primary focus of our work. Our primary focus is on the injuries sustained by the athletes.
The program is a combination B.S./M.S. degree program. Can one pursue only a bachelor's degree or only a master's degree?
Due to the nature of BS/MS programs at UB, as well as how our program is listed with the accrediting agency, the Athletic Training Program is a "package deal," so to speak. We are unable to split the two degrees apart. Undergraduate students need to complete all five years (both degrees). Students who already hold bachelors degrees normally enter into the program as "juniors" and complete the remainder of the program in three years.
Does the program provide students with an opportunity to work with any of Buffalo's professional sports teams?
Yes, there are some opportunities to work with the professional teams, although to date, these experiences have been somewhat limited. In the past, our students have worked with the Bandits (lacrosse), the Blizzard (soccer), and the Destroyers (arena football). On occasion, some opportunities arise to gain experience with the Bills and the Sabres.
What's the job market like for athletic trainers? What are the career options, other than working for a sports team?
Our graduates are finding positions relatively quickly. As a matter of fact, several of our students who will be graduating in June already have been offered full-time positions. Most athletic training jobs are in high school, college or professional sports settings; however, numerous other opportunities exist. Physical therapy clinics and corporate rehabilitation centers frequently hire athletic trainers. More recently, the armed services have increased their use of athletic trainers as well. There are also opportunities to work in non-traditional settings such as rodeo, NASCAR and X-games competitions.
You've been a certified athletic trainer since 1987. How did you get started in the field? Were you an athlete in high school and/or college?
I actually kind of stumbled into the profession. I was involved with athletics in high school and in college, but I had never heard of athletic training until my freshman year of college. I learned about athletic training after someone suggested I see the athletic trainer for a nagging injury. I was hooked on the profession almost immediately. It seemed to be the perfect combination for me, since I had a strong interest in pursuing a profession in the medical field and I also enjoyed working with highly motivated athletes.
What's your most memorable moment working as an athletic trainer?
Several situations immediately come to mind. Of course there are the numerous injuries, the amusing situations, the interactions with the athletes, etc, but the most memorable times for me have been the times when, as an athletic trainer, I was just there for an athlete...times like sitting in a hospital room with a paralyzed athlete and his family (an athlete paralyzed from a simple sneeze), or the many times I found myself just listening as a devastated athlete shared his/her emotions after suffering a career-ending injury. Making a difference in people's lives by "being there" has been the greatest reward for me.
What question do you wish I had asked, and how would you have answered it?
There are two: Where is UB in the accreditation process, and What should I do if I'm interested in pursuing athletic training? About three weeks ago, we received word that we were given the "Yes" vote for recommendation for accreditation by the JRC-AT (the organization that reviews programs). This recommendation has been forwarded to the accrediting agency (CAAHEP, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs), which will vote on the recommendation this month. CAAHEP normally upholds recommendations from the JRC-AT; thus, we anticipate receiving official word of our accreditation within the next couple of weeks. Anyone interested in pursuing a career in athletic training should take a look at our Web site at www.athletic-training.buffalo.edu or give me a call at 829-2941, ext. 405!