This past weekend, athletic trainers and athletic training students from all over Missouri volunteered their time to cover the 2015 Special Olympics of Missouri (SOMO) Summer Games. SOMO hosted the 3-day event on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO this year and it was attended by almost 2,000 athletes along with coaches, family, and friends from all over the state. Events included track and field, powerlifting, aquatics, and volleyball.
Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of SOMO events and the support of the competing athletes. The SOMO administrative team acknowledged the athletic training volunteers at the event by stating they were a vital component to supporting the Mission of SOMO by allowing these children and adult athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate safely in the event and provide first aid medical services as necessary.
The Athletic Trainers and Athletic Training Students who made up the SOMO Volunteer Medical Team along with their affiliates are listed below:
Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO
Alanna Dennison, AT
Evangel University/Cox Hospital, Springfield, MO
Jason Hall, AT
Kelsey Kapella, ATS
Kristen Moore, ATS
Missouri Baptist University, Saint Louis, MO
Chelsea Richardson, AT
Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO
Alex Jauregui-Dusseau, AT
Tarah Trokey, AT
Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Andrea Allison, ATS
Amber Asbury, ATS
Lyndsey Brooks, ATS
Courtney Dorrell, AT
Chris Enriquez, ATS
Bri Hayner, ATS
Tona Hetzler, AT
Lindsey Knapp, ATS
Julia Roundtree, ATS
Anna Lynne Sheridan, ATS
Adam Sparks, ATS
Kristin Tivener, AT
Ozark, MO
Gary Danielson, AT
Truman State University, Kirksville, MO
Phillip Stallings, ATS
Thank you to the all of the athletic trainers and athletic training students who volunteered their time to be part of the Special Olympics Summer Games. The service-centered generosity each of these individuals displayed represented the profession of athletic training in Missouri very well. Great work!
If you would like more information about the event, or would like to volunteer as part of the medical team in the future, please contact Kristin Tivener, AT at Missouri State University at KTivener@MissouriState.edu.