Athletics Page

Rank One Parent Portal

Contact Us

How do I receive Communication?

The Sweetwater ISD Athletic trainer helps to prevent and treat injuries for all of the student athletes of SISD. Recognized by the American Medical Association as allied health professionals, the SISD athletic trainer specializes in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. The SISD Athletic trainer is often one of the first health care providers on the scene when injuries occur, and therefore is able to recognize, evaluate, and assess injuries and provide immediate care when needed. The SISD athletic trainer also is heavily involved in the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries.

The SISD Athletic trainer helps to prevent injuries by educating athletes on proper mechanics and technique to prevent injury. Injury prevention also includes advising on proper use of equipment and applying protective or injury-preventative such as tape, bandages, or braces. During the school year the athletic training room will open at 7:00a.m. Injured athletes should come in at this time for evaluation and rehabilitation.

Concussions do not always involve a loss of consciousness.  ANY traumatic blow to the head or to another part of the body (which causes a whiplash effect to the head) should be considered as a mechanism of concussion injury. While headache is the most common symptom of concussion, all people will experience concussions differently.  Therefore, all of the potential signs and symptoms of concussion should be considered.  A symptom checklist can assist the evaluator in making a more objective return to play decision.

*If a player sustains any signs or symptoms of concussion, he/she must be pulled from play.  Only a physician trained in concussion management may clear the athlete to return to play once a concussion was discovered via the athletic trainer’s evaluation*

• Athlete must be evaluated and have written clearance by a licensed physician to begin the return to play protocol. 

• Athlete must be symptom free for 24 hours without pain medication in order to begin the gradual return to play protocol. 

• The athlete must remain symptom free in order to move on to the next stage, and may only move one stage per 24 hours. 

• **If the athlete displays symptoms at any time during the gradual return to play they will return to Stage 1***

• ***The Sweetwater High School Athletic Training Staff and Physician will make the final determination regarding the return to play***

• ***Gradual Return to Play protocol must be implemented by the Athletic Trainer***

• Return to Play form must be completed and submitted to the Athletic Trainer.

Stage 1: Low levels of physical activity   (i.e. symptoms do not come back during or after the activity). This includes walking, light jogging, light stationary biking, and light weightlifting (low weight-moderate reps, no bench, no squats)

Stage 2:Moderate levels of physical activity with body/head movement. This includes moderate jogging, brief running, moderate intensity on the stationary cycle, moderate intensity weightlifting (reduced time and intensity from typical routine).

Stage 3:Heavy non-contact physical activity. This includes sprinting/running, high intensity stationary cycling; complete the regular lifting routine, non-contact sports specific drills (agility-with 3 planes of movement)

Stage 4:Non-Contact Sports Specific practice

Stage 5:Full contact in a controlled drill or practice.

Stage 6:Return to competition

Once a concussion has been diagnosed by either the Athletic trainer or physician. The Athletic trainer will then communicate with the school nurse as well as the counselor. The school nurse will then communicate with the athletes' teachers, if modifications need to be implemented in the classroom.

Shelby Smith
Head Athletic Trainer
Email Shelby Smith
Phone