April E-Blast 
SCATA Advocacy
Dear Members,
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Governmental Affairs Committee’s “Hit the Hill” Day on March 24. Athletic trainers from across the state came to the Capitol and made our presence and priorities known — your voices made a real difference. All attendees were recognized on both the house and the senate floors and then reached out to their respective legislators.
We successfully gained two new cosponsors for Bill 4753, the Athletic Training Loan Assistance Grants Program. We also built strong relationships with legislators and staff in both the House and the Senate, increasing our visibility and influence. The added cosponsors strengthen momentum for Bill 4753 and improve our chances for committee consideration and future floor action. The connections we established create avenues for follow-up advocacy, questions, and partnership on athletic training issues.
Members, please continue to engage with your legislators — share your stories and encourage them to support Bill 4753. You can do this by engaging in our VoterVoice provided by NATA.(https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/NATA/Campaigns/132928/Respond)
For questions or to get involved with upcoming advocacy efforts, contact the Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman, Austin Coates at [email protected].
Thank you again for your advocacy and commitment to advancing athletic training in our state
Committee Reports
SCATA BEACON
SCATA BEACON is seeking members to join our Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee (EDAC), Access, and LGBTQ+ committees. BEACON (Belonging, Empowerment, Access, Collaboration, Opportunity, and Navigation) works to foster connection, visibility, and support within athletic training across South Carolina.
We are currently looking for SCATA members who are interested in:
• Contributing to initiatives that promote ethnic diversity, cultural awareness, and advocacy within athletic training (EDAC)
• Advancing accessibility, inclusion, and equitable participation within our profession (ACCESS)
• Supporting LGBTQ+ visibility, education, and community in athletic training spaces (LGBTQ)
Committee involvement offers an opportunity to contribute to meaningful education, advocacy, and inclusive efforts that strengthen our profession statewide. Interested members are encouraged to complete the involvement form at https://scata.starchapter.com/form.php?form_id=33 or contact us at [email protected] to learn more.
Together, we can continue building a supportive and connected SCATA community.
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 female Athletic Trainer in South Carolina?
Answer: Cheryl Hitchings, University of South Carolina 1974-76
Secondary Schools Committee
Congratulations to Jimmy "Doc" Rogers for receiving the first ever Distinguished Service Award. Jimmy served as the Carolina Classic All-Star Game lead Athletic Trainer for South Carolina.
As we get closer to the end of the school year, the Secondary School Committee is looking for nominations for the SCATA/SCACA Athletic Trainer of the Year. Please email [email protected] with someone you believe has exemplified the standards of SCATA this school year. The deadline for nominations is April 3, 2026.
With that nomination, please include the following:
Nominator Name/School
Nominee Name/School/ email
What makes them the AT of the year?
Is the nominee a member of SCACA?
If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to participate in the Secondary School Survey
Honors and Awards Committee
Members and students are reminded that the closing date for ALL scholarship applications for the 2026 cycle is April 15, 2026. ALL applications and supporting materials must be submitted by midnight on this date to receive consideration.
If you have been nominated for an SCATA Award, you should have received notification from the committee, and you are reminded to please be sure to submit your nominee form and all supporting documents to the committee by April 15, 2026.
Anyone with questions or concerns may contact the committee Chair, Dr. Jim Berry, at [email protected] or 843-340-6411.
The Old Timer ATs have created a South Carolina LAT Patch that we are making available to the membership for $11.00, which includes postage. We have a limited number of these patches available as a first run to gauge interest. If we sell out the first 100 we have, we will consider getting more. ALL net proceeds from the sale of these patches will go to the SCATA Scholarship Fund.
Annual SCATA Symposium
We are getting ready for the 2026 SCATA Annual Symposium! Symposium website and information will be live April 15, 2026. Registration will open May 1, 2026.
SCATA CALL FOR PROFESSIONAL AND STUDENT FREE COMMUNICATION ABSTRACTS
Deadline For Abstract Submission: May 29th 2026 @ 11:59 PM
Submission Instructions:
All abstracts must be submitted electronically via the Google Form link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHqYg1bpLWu6Ga0jU8_8hOBYXBW0NzJncsKHQP1QFbcxaYwA/viewform
Direct any questions to:
Wyatt McCrackin, ATC
SCATA Free Communications Chair
[email protected]
NATA News
NATA Membership Benefit
Joining NATA offers athletic trainers valuable benefits in professional development, advocacy, connection and support, including enhanced access to the entire NATA Educate On-Demand Course Catalog and access to a variety of resources like the Salary Survey, or the NATA Career Center, the best place to find athletic training jobs. Learn more about becoming a member or renew your membership by visiting our membership section.
NATA Convention
The 77th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo is Monday, June 29 - Thursday, July 2, 2026 in Philadelphia! In a city that shaped America, ATs shape what's next. Arrive for the learning, stay for a summer of global sport and a once-in-250-years celebration. Lead. Learn. Celebrate. Register today!
Save the Date: Virtual Town Halls
Leading up to the 77th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo June 29-July 2 in Philadelphia, members will also have opportunities to hear directly from the NATA Presidential candidates and ask them questions during various virtual town hall events. Save the following virtual town hall times and dates, and check back soon for registration information:
- 11 a.m. CDT April 14 – register now
- 3 p.m. CDT May 27 – register now
Members must fill out this form to submit questions. Questions selected by the moderator will be presented during the published town hall sessions. Similar or duplicate submissions may be consolidated. Questions may also be edited for clarity, length or relevance to the role of NATA president.
Strategic Listening Sessions
NATA is launching a series of virtual Strategic Listening Sessions designed to hear directly from members across professional settings and interests.
These sessions are an opportunity to share your perspective, highlight challenges and help shape how NATA supports you moving forward.
What to expect:
- Small-group, setting-specific discussions
- Focused conversation around your biggest challenges
- Input that will directly inform NATA's priorities
View the sessions and register:
Secondary School
April 8: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT
Educators
April 9: 2 to 4 p.m. CDT
College/University
May 5: 1 to 2:30 p.m. CDT
Emerged Settings
May 6: Noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT
Sessions will be added on a rolling basis. If your professional interest group isn't yet listed, additional dates will be announced soon.
