February E-Blast 
Welcome New Members
If you are a SCATA member through either direct membership or your NATA membership and are having issues with your SCATA account, please email Amanda at [email protected]. PLEASE DO NOT CREATE A NEW MEMBER PROFILE.
As a SCATA member you have access to our SCATA Job Board! Be on the lookout for new opportunities within our state!
If you have any questions, please email Amanda at [email protected]
SCATA Advocacy
Dear Members,
On December 16, 2025, H.4753 was prefiled in the SC House of Representatives. This bill proposes the creation of an Athletic Trainers’ Loan Assistance Grants Program, which would provide student loan repayment assistance to certified athletic trainers employed in South Carolina public schools. The program would help repay federal student loans incurred while completing the education required for athletic training certification.
If passed, this bill would:
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Help reduce student loan debt for athletic trainers
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Support recruitment and retention of qualified athletic trainers in public schools
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Further recognize the essential role athletic trainers play in student-athlete safety and healthcare
We will continue to monitor its progress and provide updates as it moves through the legislative process. Please reach out with any questions or concerns about the bill and if you would like to be involved in pushing this bill through the legislative process.
Thank you for your continued commitment to patient safety across South Carolina.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4753.htm
Committee Reports
Secondary School Workshop
Due to inclement weather the Secondary Schools Workshop has been rescheduled to February 21st. Registrations has been reopened until 2/6/26.
https://scata.org/2026_Secondary_Schools_Workshop
National Athletic Training Month SCATA Tee-Shirt
Get ready for National Athletic Training Month with your SCATA NATM Tee-shirt! Available in a short or long sleeve option. Order before 2/15 to ensure you have it for National Athletic Training Month! $4 from every shirt sold will go towards helping cover associated costs with the H.4753 Bill.
https://scatanatmtee.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Honors, Awards, and Scholarship Committee
Nominations and Applications for Honors, Awards, and Scholarships will open on February 15, 2026. All nominations and applications will be completed electronically via the links below. The DEADLINE for honors and awards nominations is MARCH 15, 2026. All applications and supporting documents for scholarships must be submitted by APRIL 15, 2026.
Link to Honors and Awards is https://scata.org/SCATA_Honors_and_Awards
Link to Scholarship Applications is https://scata.org/Scholarships
PLEASE take a few minutes to nominate a deserving colleague for an SCATA Award or encourage our students to apply for a scholarship.
Anyone with questions or concerns can contact committee chair Dr. Jim Berry at [email protected] or 843-340-6411
History Committee
We continue to collect information for our Historical Archives. If you are new to South Carolina, left South Carolina, or have changed jobs, please let us know. We want to include you in our history. Everyone counts!
Have you been recognized, won an award, been acknowledged, served at the North/South All Star Games? Please let us know.
A Work History Questionnaire can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCxjWBFgHNNknC_jFJzu0OUy4J00N7QLqnb4DevgnuCigFKw/viewform?usp=sharing
To submit information for our Historical Archives, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Historical Trivia
Question: Who was the first Nationally Certified Athletic Trainer to work at a high school in SC?
Answer: Joe Kinney at Marion High School from 1974-77.
International Athletic Training and Therapy Day (IATTD26), happening February 12th, 2026.
Here are some ways you can get involved on social media and in your community on February 12:
1. Share Stories
Share your favorite memories from the world of Athletic Training, Athletic Therapy, and Sports Rehabilitation. You can also easily share our pre-made IATTD26 images and templates with your own caption available on our website.
2. Show a Day in the Life
Share photos or videos to give a glimpse of a day in your life as an AT. Why did you choose a profession in AT? What advice do you have for students? We want to know it all!
3. Shout-out
Give a shout-out to an AT who has made a difference and deserves to be highlighted! It could be a mentor, preceptor, student, or even just your favorite coworker!
4. Patient Perspective
Ask an athlete/patient to share their thoughts on something related to AT and the value that it has brought to their lives.
5. Video Highlight
Create a fun video to highlight ATs in your community or practice setting. Shine a spotlight on you and your colleagues.
When you post on social media, please be sure to use the official hashtag #IATTD26 and tag WFATT! We are excited to see what you come up with and will be engaging with your content throughout all of our social media channels on February 12th!
SCATA Elections
Call for Nominations – President-Elect and Secretary Positions
The South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association is now accepting applications for the positions of President-Elect and Secretary. This position will be filled by electronic ballet during the first week of July. The successful candidates will then assume a two (2) year position as the SCATA President-Elect or Secretary from July 2026 to July 2028. These positions are full voting members of the SCATA Executive Council.
In order to be considered a nominee for an Executive Officer, one must have been
a member of the South Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association in good standing for
at least four (4) years (48 months since the date of initial membership application
approval). The member must also be a Licensed Athletic Trainer in South Carolina
and a member of the NATA.
If you believe that you are an ideal candidate for one of these positions or know someone who is, please complete or have them complete the application process. SCATA is only as successful as those individuals that offer their leadership and skills to the organization through service.
Please see email sent on 1/30/26 for additional information.
HIT THE HILL DAY
Be on the lookout for upcoming Hit The Hill Day! We would love for you to join us in advocacy efforts in Columbia. Stay Tuned.
NATA News
NATA Salary Survey is Now Open
NATA is surveying athletic trainers about their work, compensation and benefits to support advocacy efforts and develop a valuable profession-wide resource. The confidential survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and individual responses will remain anonymous. NATA members will receive access to a summary of key findings from the research. Thank you for contributing to this important initiative.
https://t.e2ma.net/click/l7dnqm/9xqlez/hw2ntjb
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Submit Nominations for Collegiate Awards
The NATA Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine is accepting award nominations through Feb. 27. The categories include Head Athletic Trainer of the Year (NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, Two-Year Institution and Club/Intramural/Recreational Sports), Above and Beyond Award, Staff Athletic Trainer of the Year and the Doug Boersma New Horizon Award.
https://t.e2ma.net/click/l7dnqm/9xqlez/5m7ntjb
NEW: NATA Beat ChATs: Join us for NATA Beat ChATs, a new interactive conversation series focused on what’s happening right now in government affairs and what it means for athletic trainers. Please register for each meeting you plan to attend. Held on the 4th Thursday of each month from January–March (6:00–7:00 p.m. CT), these informal, one-hour discussions will break down key policy updates, advocacy efforts, and legislative trends impacting the profession at the local, state, and federal levels. We’ll translate the headlines, share where NATA is actively engaged, and talk through how ATs can stay informed and involved. Whether you’re deeply invested in advocacy or just want a clearer understanding of how government decisions affect your day-to-day practice, NATA Beat ChATs are designed to keep you connected, confident, and in the know. Come ready to listen, ask questions, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of athletic training.
Upcoming Events & Registration
February 26, 2026: 6:00pm-7:00pm central time
https://nata.zoom.us/meeting/register/Nm-BmahITZG4tUIG2fxZ3A
March 26, 2026: 6:00pm- 7:00pm central time
https://nata.zoom.us/meeting/register/hE4yNXzIQASo6wpVl5kXdA
MAATA News
MAATA Clinical Symposium
Mark your calendars to attend the 2026 MAATA Clinical Symposium, May 1-3 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at the Novant Conference Center. The education committee is finalizing a great symposium schedule and social events that will be announced soon. Registration is already OPEN, register now. Reserve your hotel as soon as possible because hotel room space is limited in the Winston-Salem area due to an International Furniture Show.
Call for Nominations – District Director
The MAATA is seeking nominations for the MAATA elected office of MAATA District Director. Current Director, Ray Davis, will be finishing his term in May, 2027 at the NATA meeting.
Candidates should seriously evaluate if they have 15+ hours a week (minimum), all year round to be available to carry out the duties of the District Director. I strongly urge interested persons to contact Ray Davis ([email protected]) in order to fully understand the totality of the 3-5 year commitment. The newly-elected Director will shadow Ray Davis beginning in May and will assume the newly elected role during the NATA Symposium in June 2027.