Area high school students rave about tour of College of Education and Human Services’ Athletic Training program

About 33 students from the Cincinnati Diamond Oaks Career Tech Center were one of two recent groups who toured the Wright State University Athletic Training Program facilities.

“That machine was really hard to do and that guy [Brad] was funny.”

“I was scared at first about therapeutic modalities but they explained things so I could understand.”

“The polar plunge was sooo cold but I feel great!”

These are just a few comments from high school students who took time during their finals push to visit Wright State in what’s quickly becoming the most popular field trip of their school year.

About 33 students from the Cincinnati Diamond Oaks Career Tech Center were one of two recent groups who toured the Wright State University Athletic Training (AT) Program facilities leaving with a new enthusiasm for the field.

“Organizing visits like this takes a lot of time and planning, but it gets students to think about their Career Tech AT program and how what they are learning in the classroom now links to post secondary education opportunities,” said Stephanie Davis, Ph.D., associate professor and program director for Career, Technical & Adult Education.

Among many other rehabilitation methods and gadgets they learned about, students got their hands on a Cybex machine—which helps athletes isolate muscles and minimize joint stress during injury recovery—and they learned the benefits of a Swimex pool, which provides an opportunity for individualized aqua therapy. Some students even took an ice bath while learning about its benefits for recovery and anti-inflamation.

“Seeing their reactions and their beaming faces as they boarded the bus after their visit is a great reward,” said Davis. “The feedback we get from them is proof that they are engaged during their visit and have been awakened to the idea of studying athletic training at Wright State.”