August 2026 E-Blast 
Welcome New Members
SCATA Memberships have been updated with a current 2026 NATA member roster. This means if you maintain your NATA membership AND your NATA address of record is located in South Carolina, a portion of your national membership dues is funneled down to the state level. This makes you a dues paying member of SCATA, however, if you haven't already, you may join the state association by completing the SCATA membership application or use a renewal link.
If you have any questions or login issues, please email Amanda at [email protected]
Annual SCATA Symposium
In July SCATA hosted its largest symposium in association history with 453 registered attendees, 51 students and over 35 exhibitors.
On Wednesday, SCATA hosted a Pre-Conference Event “The Mass Causality Incident
and The Athletic Trainer,” at Segra Park in Columbia. This course demonstrated the
collaboration between emergency personnel, law enforcement and the role an athletic trainer can serve during an MCI. 41 Certified athletic trainers were instructed on how to prepare for a mass causality event, initial triage, scene management, and experienced three scenarios to apply those skills. Competency was demonstrated by working through unique scenarios such as a lightning strike on metal bleachers, a locker room gun assault, and a team transportation bus accident.
Over 50 students from the University of South Carolina and Charleston Southern
University acted as patients during the scenarios. The course was taught by Donna
Taylor RN, BSN, EMT-P; Chuck Taylor NCSHP-Ret and Amanda Taylor MS, LAT, ATC.
During the annual symposium business meeting, the SCATA Executive Council
transitioned as Clint Haggard was elected as SCATA secretary. The current executive council consists of Abby DeDecker- President, Amanda Taylor- President Elect, Clint Haggard- Secretary, Kevin Herod- Treasurer, and Will Christman as Past President.
SCATA would like to thank Will for his commitment and service to SCATA during his
time on the executive council.
Mark your calendars for the 2027 SCATA Symposium July 14-16 2027.
Committee Reports
Secondary Schools
Please update our Secondary School Directory if you have not already done so.
The Blood Connection Grant - If you are interested in having a blood drive at your school to earn grant money from the Blood Connection, please reach out to Julian Deleon at the Blood Connection at [email protected].
Safe Sport Schools Update:
In the coming weeks we will be updating our Safe Sports Schools webpage and are looking for current photos of you, your banner, and school! Help us celebrate by submitting your photo to [email protected]. Updated school names & information will be received directly from NATA.
https://scata.org/Safe_Sports_Schools
If you are interested in applying to be a Safe Sports School award; visit NATA page for more information. As of July 1 2025, the application process has been moved to all online and a fee of $150 for both renewal and first time applications. Each award recipient will receive one banner.
https://www.nata.org/advocacy/youth-sports-safety/safe-sports-schools
History Committee
Honors, Awards & Scholarships
Thursday SCATA honored the award and scholarship recipients during the Annual
Honors and Awards Ceremony.
SCATA Service Award:
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Mike Rice MS, ATC, EMT, CKTP
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Clint Haggard MA, LAT, ATC, NREMT-B
Lewis Post-Professional Scholarship:
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Tina Xie: University of South Carolina
Lewis Professional Scholarship:
- Brandon Rackley: University of South Carolina
Hannah Sobeski Memorial Scholarship:
- Laurel Krauss: Daughter of Bill and Kari Krauss
