Ewing High School’s Athletic Trainer, David Csillan, has been awarded the 2019 Gatorade Secondary School Athletic Trainer Award. Each year, Gatorade, in partnership with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, recognizes 10 secondary school athletic trainers from across the country who provide outstanding athlete care and have had a profound impact on their students, colleagues and community.
Csillan was presented the award at the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting in King of Prussia, PA, earlier this month.
“Athletic training has permitted me to combine my two interests of medicine and athletics. By practicing my skill set at the secondary school level, I can afford my student-athletes with the same athletic health care as those signing the million-dollar contracts,” said Csillan. “Secondary school athletic trainers comprise approximately one quarter of the NATA membership, and I am honored to be recognized by Gatorade and my peers with this award.”
Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. ATs provide medical services to all types of patients, not just athletes, participating in sports, and can work in a variety of job settings.
“As an elected official and school board member, I cannot overstate the value of Dave’s input and service to the Ewing High School Community,” said Anthony Messina,
Vice President, Ewing Township Board of Education. “The Ewing High School Community and the greater Ewing Township Community are so very fortunate to have someone of Dave’s professional caliber working day in and day out for the betterment of our kids.”
Csillan is in his 25th year as an athletic trainer at Ewing High School. Aside from his duties at Ewing, he has worked with state legislators to pass the state’s Athletic Training Practice Act, as well as served on the National Federation of State High Schools Association Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, developing and implementing health and safety protocols for the nation's secondary school athletes.
“Secondary school athletic trainers are essential to the operation of a quality athletic department in any high school,” said Jeff Kearney, Global Head of Sports Marketing, The Gatorade Company. “Through our partnership with NATA, we hope to raise awareness and elevate the profile of secondary school athletic trainers and the invaluable role they play in keeping young athletes safe and performing at their best.”
As part of the award, Csillan receives a $1,000 grant toward his school’s athletic program, a Gatorade Sideline Cart and Gatorade product for his athletes, and complimentary registration to the 2019 NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo this June in Las Vegas.
Nominees for the Gatorade Secondary School Athletic Trainer Award must be active certified athletic trainers, current NATA members, and work as a full-time or part-time employee in secondary schools. Each winner is selected by the NATA Secondary School Athletic Trainers’ Committee and must be nominated by a colleague, school administrator or parent. For all the details on how to apply and deadlines, visit the NATA website at http://nata.org/Gatorade-Secondary-School-AT-Award.