• Getting your child started in Bishop Athletics
Prior to participation, each student athlete must have a valid Bishop Diego (BD) Pre-participation Physical Examination and Emergency Form on file with the school. In the event any contact information changes, such as work phone number or insurance information, please complete a new form and return it to the schools athletics department.

• What is an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic Training is an allied health care profession. A Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) evaluates injured athletes to determine a safe participation status, provides preventative bracing and taping, and creates a personalized rehabilitation program for each athlete with an injury. Those athletes who are not able to participate in practice or games are monitored while they complete their rehabilitation program. An ATC must also be prepared to deal with those injuries that occur throughout each practice or contest.

A common misconception is that ATC's are the same as the "trainers" working at health clubs. While the "trainer" or "personal trainer" may be very knowledgeable in helping healthy people become stronger, faster or leaner, the education differences between the ATC and the "trainer" are drastically different. All ATC's hold a bachelor's degree and are certified by the NATA Board of Certification. See About Athletic Training for further information.

• What can the ATC do for my child?
The Bishop Diego Athletic Training Program provides on-site allied health care professionals to care for your child as they participate in Bishop athletics, giving the student-athlete the greatest opportunity to participate in the safest manner possible.

The ATC is responsible to provide not only emergency care to injured athletes, but also provide injury prevention, rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries. While the role of the ATC is not to take the place of the family physician, the ATC can act as a liaison between the athletes, coaches, parents and medical community, as well as carry out the direction of a physician regarding care and rehabilitation after an injury.

• Should I take my child to see a doctor if he/she is injured?
If you have any questions about the severity of an injury, please take your child to see a doctor. If your insurance allows it, try to make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor because they are much more knowledgeable with athletic injuries. The Bishop Diego Team Physician is Dr. William Gallivan. To schedule an appointment with him, call 805.682.7801.

Physician Response forms are available to help encourage appropriate communication between the treating physician and the ATC regarding a student-athletes injury or condition. Bishop requires the ATC to be informed of all injuries and conditions that impact the participation status of a student athlete. Written communication with your doctor is very important for the ATC to appropriately (and legally) treat athletes and return them to safe athletic participation when released by the physician. ANY time your child is seen by a physician for an athletic injury, the ATC must be provided with written clearance or instructions by that physician before allowing return to play.

• General follow up care with injured athletes
The ATC at Bishop will continue to provide care for those who are injured and report to the Training Room for follow-up. It is strongly encouraged that parents keep checking with their child and to follow-up on what is being done with an injury. Please help us help your child be a healthy contributor the athletic program. While every effort will be made to assist students with care for their injuries, certain injuries requiring special therapy, or large amounts of care cannot be treated by the ATC. We will do our best to coordinate care elsewhere.