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California USA Wrestling's
Sports Medicine Program
Identification and management of infectious skin diseases has always been an issue in the sport of wrestling. Though the subject is certainly not a pleasant one, we feel that the more informed wrestlers, parents, and coaches are, the better off we all will be. This is especially important given the existence of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) We urge you to read the USA Wrestling Report on MRSA. As you will find, a little bit of prevention will go a long way to keeping us healthy and making our sport safer.
Here are fact sheets about other infectious diseases typical among wrestlers.
California USA Wrestling established a Sports Medicine Program in 1988. It has been the brain-child of Bob Boswell, Modesto Junior College Head Athletic Trainer. Bob has been involved in wrestling as an Athletic Trainer for the 1984 Summer Olympic games, four World Championships (international), twelve National Teams and numerous State and local Championships.
The Sports Medicine Program was established for the welfare of our athletes. Bob developed a plan to ensure that all of our State Championships would have qualified Athletic Trainers and physicians (whenever possible) working them. In providing consistent quality care for our athletes, we have helped ensure their success on the mat.
A pool of medical providers has been developed and maintained since 1988. With our pool representing a wide area of the state, we have been able to provide Athletic Trainers for many local tournaments. Our goal is to have quality care for all of our athletes at all levels of competition. We send Athletic Trainers with our National Teams and to the Cadet and Junior World Team Trials. This provides our athletes with medical care 24 hours a day while at the competitions.
Trainers at state events are unpaid volunteers. Through participation at the state championships some trainers may become eligible for placements as trainers at local tournaments, where they may receive modest stipends. If you have a background in sports medicine and want to apply as a trainer click here.
Our Sports Medicine Program is one of our State Projects. There is an annual budget to assure that our goals are being met and that it is on going. We have received many calls and letters from parents thanking our sports medicine staff for the quality of care given to their sons and daughters.
The California USA Wrestling Sports Medicine Program is trying to develop an even larger pool of Athletic Trainers and interested physicians. We invite any sanctioned tournament director to contact Bob for possible names and numbers of interested staff members or to provide names of any interested Athletic Trainers or physicians that have helped you and would like to be included in our medical pool.
You may contact Bob Boswell via email at boswellb@yosemite.cc.ca.us.