Celebrating Progress and Innovation: ATSNJ 2024 Program Year in Review
The Athletic Trainers' Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ) had an impactful and productive year, marked by technological advancements, significant advocacy advancement, and continued professional development.
Reflecting on the recently completed program year (which ends annually with our Conference in Atlantic City), we celebrate the collective achievements of our committees and members, who have worked tirelessly to enhance the profession and advocate for athletic trainers across the state.
Note: For more on the year just completed, we encourage you to watch this video interview with ATSNJ's immediate past president Ken Cieslak and read on.
Technology and Conference Innovations
The Technology Committee has been instrumental in enhancing ATSNJ's digital presence, leveraging the Society's website and other digital channels to tell the dynamic story of our membership and athletic training in the Garden State.
Thanks to the Tech Committee, ATSNJ's Conference website went live earlier than in recent memory, improving the attendee experience. The Committee also continued efforts to update the ATSNJ website carousel, and the site in general, proactively with fresh content and expanded individual Committee abilities to do the same.
These initiatives have provided a more seamless experience for members, vendors, and stakeholders on top of the work that the Committee does almost daily to support the organization's day-to-day operations that may go unseen.
Strengthening Recognition and Support of the Next Generation
ATSNJ's Awards Committee met during the fall to review award rubrics and plan for the upcoming awards season, culminating at the Annual Conference. The Committee's work ensured that our members' outstanding contributions were recognized and that ATSNJ's story was robustly told. This interview with Awards Chair Dan Evans contains more about the 2025 Awards Progress.
The ATSNJ continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the future of athletic training through its annual Student Conference in Atlantic City and the highly regarded Student Aide Workshop. These cornerstone events provide aspiring athletic trainers invaluable hands-on learning experiences, professional development opportunities, and direct engagement with soon-to-be colleagues and peers.
Watch this video interview with Melody An, one of the group's leaders, to learn more about the work of ATSNJ’s Student Leadership Committee over the past year.
Marketing and Public Relations Expansion
ATSNJ continued to build its visibility through a robust marketing strategy. The PR Committee manages the organization's social media channels, leveraging platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to engage members and the public.
Targeted ad campaigns during National Athletic Training Month (NATM) 2024 and promotional efforts for the 2024 ATSNJ Conference further expanded ATSNJ's reach and have already continued with 2025 iterations this past month (March). Additionally, a professional video and photo shoot helped showcase the organization's mission and impact, which is even more important given all that has been going on in the state government with the Athletic Training Practice Act.
Legislative Advocacy and Policy Development
The Governmental Affairs Committee remained highly active in legislative matters, advocating for policies that support the athletic training profession. Key legislative efforts included:
- A-1446 / S-317: Revising the Athletic Training Licensure Act to reflect the evolving scope of practice and improve professional recognition.
- A-3873 / S-2901: Monitoring legislation allowing high school student-athletes to substitute physical education with a study hall during their athletic season, which could impact athletic trainers serving dual roles as educators.
- A-4176 / S-2992: Supporting a bill that upgrades certain types of assault against sports officials, including athletic trainers, to aggravated assault.
- A-4983 / S-3681: Engaging with legislators on a proposed mandate for athletic trainers and coaches to complete student-athlete eating disorder awareness training.
Through strategic negotiations with legislative sponsors and stakeholder groups, ATSNJ advocates for policies that elevate and protect the profession.
Educational, Professional Development, and Social Initiatives
The ATSNJ Conference Committee successfully planned the 2025 ATSNJ Annual Conference and Business Meeting, held March 2-3, 2025. A call for abstracts in June 2024 resulted in 17 submissions, with 12 proposals selected through a rigorous blind review process.
In addition to the Annual Conference, ATSNJ's Regional Representatives sponsored several live CEU events, further enhancing professional development opportunities for members throughout the state.
The Golf Committee once again hosted a successful day on the links with the Steve Bair Memorial Golf Outing. This event brings the athletic training community together and plays a crucial role in supporting ATSNJ’s mission. Named in memory of Steve Blair, a dedicated athletic trainer and passionate advocate for the profession, the outing serves as a tribute to his legacy and a means of raising invaluable resources for ATSNJ’s initiatives, including student scholarships, educational programming, and advocacy efforts.
Additionally, our newly formed Social Activities Committee introduced a series of networking events, creating new opportunities for members to connect in diverse venues and settings. These initiatives collectively strengthen ATSNJ’s impact, fostering growth, collaboration, and support for athletic trainers at every stage of their careers.
Looking Ahead
With a strong foundation built in 2024, ATSNJ is poised for an even greater year ahead. You can learn more about what’s ahead for the organization by watching this video interview with Steve Barandica, who took office as ATSNJ’s President this past March.
As we continue to leverage technology, advocate for the profession, and provide top-tier educational opportunities, we remain dedicated to advancing the field of athletic training in New Jersey.
We thank all our members, sponsors, and partners for their continued support. Here's to another year of growth and success!