NORTH CAROLINA
ATHLETIC TRAINERS'
ASSOCIATION
An Impactful Evening of Advocacy and Awareness
in Durham, NC
​
We were proud to host a meaningful summer evening in Durham that brought together parents, community members, and key stakeholders for a powerful panel discussion and film screening focused on athlete safety. Designed to raise awareness, build partnerships, and advocate for the health and well-being of athletes ahead of the fall sports season, the event also welcomed a special guest from the North Carolina House of Representatives.
​
Featured Panelists and Voices Included:
-
Nina Walker, President, North Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association
-
Janna Fonseca, Director of Health, Safety & Wellness, NCHSAA
-
Dr. Johna Register-Mihalik, Matthew Gfeller Center
-
Dr. Jeb Struder, Korey Stringer Institute, along with a digital KSI Atlas Map showing athletic trainer coverage in NC: KSI Atlas Map
-
Dr. Kristen Kucera, National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (NCCSIR)
-
Steve DeVrieze & Dr. Kevin Carniero, Neurotech Insight
-
John Miller, Safer Sports
-
Special video remarks from Leigh Steinberg, legendary sports agent and founder of the Leigh Steinberg Foundation
Guests enjoyed outstanding food from Lula and Sadie’s and a warm welcome from host Natalie Killion and the Durham County Library.
The evening concluded with a screening of Concussed: The American Dream, directed and produced by David Kano, further driving home the importance of athlete safety in youth and professional sports.
​
The North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association is partnering with the Durham County Library to facilitate a community conversation about athletes' health and safety with a panel discussion and movie screening. This unique and innovative event aims to raise awareness in the community about sports injuries, educate about the role of athletic trainers and highlight efforts to make sports safer and promote athlete health and safety ahead of August and the football season.
The Movie
Concussed: The American Dream
The documentary film explores the story of Tyler Sash, who rose from small town football star to NFL Super Bowl champion, through the abrupt halting of his career due to sport-induced concussions, which ultimately ended his life. Pro Football Hall of Fame Brett Favre’s story shares his paralleled story as he deals with the lingering challenges of 20 years of professional football.
​
​