In 1994, working at Washington University in St. Louis, Susan was asked to serve as the medical services director for the U.S. Olympic Festival. Through those connections, she joined the Xtreme Games (now called the X Games) in 1995, and she's overseen the medical services for their summer and winter games ever since.

Susan says, "Action sports are quite unique and offer athletic trainers an opportunity to use every skill. It's more trauma oriented, and there are more high-impact injuries. But these are professional athletes; the best of the best.  They practice and there's a whole rhyme to their reason for what they do."

As an integral part of the X Games, Susan doesn't mind the hefty time commitment in the least. "I treat it like a hobby, and welcome the demands that come with the job. Depending on the event, I have a staff of 25-35 ATCs, and it's great to make that opportunity available to my colleagues. We come together as a family, and it's awesome!"

Susan was with the X Games for their first international games, and has traveled extensively with the team, including Dubai, Rio de Janeiro Barcelona, and France.

Susan loves the X Games, but is equally as passionate about her work with students at UNM. "I put a lot of energy into my students and love teaching future athletic trainers. During the last Winter X Games, I started an internship program that included four sophomores.  About half of the certified staff was alumnus from UNM, and it was just a great experience getting former and current students involved."

Last year, Susan was elected to serve on the Board of Certification, and has been very involved with the Collegiate Sports Medicine Leadership Workshop for five years. She is also the director of sports medicine for ESPN, and is the risk manager and medical consultant for Red Bull North America, Inc.

Susan shares these words of wisdom with students and young professionals: "There is nothing more important than integrity and being humble. And don't set any limitations on yourself!  Visualize what you want to do with your career, and go after it with great passion. The rest is fate and hard work."

Sports injuries among young athletes are on the rise. High school athletes alone account for an estimated 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations every year, the CDC says. The goal of the STOP Sports Injuries initiative is to slow, and eventually halt, the rising rate of injuries in young athletes so that kids can become healthy adults who enjoy exercise, camaraderie and physical health for life.

According to Dr. James Andrews, president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and STOP Sports Injuries co-campaign chair, orthopaedic surgeons are especially concerned with the rapid rise in the number of youth sports injuries, and a drop in the age of young athletes with overuse injuries.

STOP Sports Injuries focuses on prevention techniques and encouraging open communication among those involved in the lives of young athletes. Campaign elements include public service announcements; a website with extensive resources and information for preventing and treating sport-specific injuries; and a pledge of support that athletes, parents, coaches, and healthcare providers can agree to and submit online.

"The NATA is proud to support the STOP Sports Injuries campaign," said NATA President Marjorie J. Albohm, MS, ATC. "Prevention is the number one priority of athletic trainers! This initiative is a perfect complement to our injury prevention strategies and programs and will help ensure the health and safety of young athletes."

Professional athletes are involved in the STOP Sports Injuries campaign as members of the campaign's Council of Champions. Founding council members include former Olympians Christie Rampone, Eric Heiden and Bonnie Blair; professional golfer Jack Nicklaus; NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr; MLB baseball player John Smoltz; NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long; and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.

"My recent shoulder injury highlighted the importance of injury prevention, recovery, and communicating with my coaches, athletic trainers and healthcare providers," said Sam Bradford' "I joined this campaign to share my experiences and encourage young athletes to join this important cause. It is important for kids to know that it is fun to play organized or recreational sports, but it¿s even more important for them to stay healthy while they play."

To learn more about the STOP Sports Injuries campaign and to submit an online pledge of support, visit www.stopsportsinjuries.org.

At Cramer Products, we always look forward to the annual NATA meeting and have a wonderful time seeing lots of familiar faces and meeting new people. Last year, we were pleased to sponsor the student lounge at the meeting for the second time, and will do so again this year. In addition, this year we will also sponsor the young professional's lounge. With these sponsorships, we are creating exciting new traditions that we believe will endure for years to come!   

The NATA's Student Committee was formed just a few years ago, and is chaired by Jessica Daniels, ATC, a student at Northern Kentucky University.  "Our committee has been involved with planning for the national conference," she says, "and the lounge is something we think all students will enjoy. It's a place to go throughout the convention to network and meet students from other colleges and universities. There will be comfortable couches and wifi in the lounge!"

According to Ed Christman, Cramer¿s vice president of marketing, "We think students will enjoy having Internet access! And on Wednesday evening from 4:15- 6 p.m., we hope students will stop by for refreshments. Also, student athletic trainers are encouraged to help decorate the lounge with items from their schools such as pennants, posters, and t-shirts."

"Cramer is making the lounge happen, and it wouldn't take place without them," Jessica says. "Cramer held camps for students in the past, and now they¿re sponsoring the student lounge. They have always played a huge role in what athletic trainers do."

Kim Detwiler, MS, ATC, CSCS, assistant professor at the University of Laverne, chairs the NATA's Young Professionals Committee, whose members are ages 21 to 35. She says, "Last year, the lounge was a place to stop by and hang out. This year, we're adding value with a premier event on Thursday night from 5-7 p.m.,  'Remembering Our Roots and Forging Our Future.'  No registration is required and we encourage all young professionals to attend!"

The NATA board of directors; members of the NATA Hall of Fame; athletic trainers who have received an NATA award within the last year; and other prominent athletic trainers have been invited to the event. The committee will discuss its support of HR1137, a bill recognizing athletic trainers as qualified to provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services, and eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Also, the winner of the first Young Professional's Committee National Distinction Award will be announced. "Our goal for this event is to create an environment where young professionals will learn and be encouraged and inspired," she says.

 "We're extremely pleased to partner with the NATA to sponsor these lounges," Ed says. "Cramer has been around a long time, and we love the strong, personal relationships that have developed over the years with athletic trainers across the country. It is so important to us to also build those connections with the new generation of athletic trainers. We look forward to talking with many of you in Philadelphia!"

The Sideline Kit is made of 1680 denier ballistic nylon and measures 13" x 9.4" x 17".  The kit offers unsurpassed protection and durability because it¿s made with the thermoform technology used in the production of protective equipment cases for cameras and other AV gear.

Unzip the Sideline Kit's main zipper, and the bag opens in half, allowing you to easily pack, take inventory, or quickly find what you need. The kit is divided into three zippered cavities, each containing a variety of pockets and compartments that ensure you'll be completely organized. Some of the components have a modular, "tear-away" feature, making it easy to grab and take just a few supplies onto the field.

The outside of the kit has pockets as well, including one specially designed to hold scissors.

The Sideline Kit's wide, padded strap feels good on the shoulder and makes it easy to carry, even for long periods of time. And its unique molded shape is designed to be comfortable against your back and stay in place, even when you're running.

"We're excited about the unique offering this kit provides to the athletic training world which is a hard thing to do with all the kits out there," says Adam Huckeby, Cramer product manager. "The feedback we've gotten so far has been excellent, and we think athletic trainers will like the ergonomic design."

Cramer's new Sideline Kit...it just may be that perfect kit you've been looking for!