Athletic Training

Our Sports Medicine team takes a proactive, on-site approach to athlete health and safety. Being present at every venue allows us to identify potential risks early, respond quickly when injuries occur, and create effective recovery plans that help reduce future issues.

Our prevention and care measures include:

• Custom emergency action plans for each athletic location

• Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) placed throughout all venues

• Clear heat, cold, and lightning guidelines to protect athletes in all conditions

• A structured concussion protocol that guides both evaluation and return-to-play decisions

• A heat acclimatization plan that supports safe training in warmer conditions

• Comprehensive First Aid/CPR/AED certification for all coaching staff

When an injury occurs, student-athletes and coaches are expected to let our sports medicine team know right away. This quick communication allows our athletic trainers to evaluate the situation immediately and decide on the safest next steps. After the initial check, trainers share their recommendations, determine whether the athlete can keep participating, and connect families with doctors or specialists if additional care is needed.

Each evaluation focuses closely on the injured area, combining a full history of what happened with careful observation and targeted testing.

When it comes to concussions, our process follows the most up-to-date research and national best practices. Every case is documented thoroughly, and each student receives a personalized care and recovery plan tailored to their needs.

At every athletic venue, our training staff ensures that first aid materials, hydration stations, and injury ice are readily available to support immediate care for student-athletes. Our athletic training rooms are fully equipped with the tools and therapeutic resources necessary for effective treatment and recovery across a wide range of injuries. Each care plan is personalized to reflect the nature of the injury and the athlete’s goals for returning to play.

Athletic trainers collaborate closely with the return-to-play coordinator to design and oversee rehabilitation programs. Progress is reviewed daily, allowing for timely adjustments as recovery advances.

Rehabilitation focuses on restoring complete range of motion, strength, balance, coordination, and sport-specific performance skills. Our priority is to ensure a safe, confident return to competition while reducing the likelihood of future injuries. Before resuming athletic participation, students must achieve all recovery milestones, complete functional testing, and receive final clearance from the athletic trainer and, when appropriate, a physician.

Ongoing professional development is a key part of our Sports Medicine program. Our athletic trainers engage regularly in specialized workshops, continuing education courses, and professional conferences to remain informed about emerging research and best practices in injury prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation.

Through a valued partnership with Novant Health, Cannon School benefits from the full-time support of certified athletic trainers who provide reliable, high-quality care to our student-athletes every day.

In addition, Cannon School serves as a clinical education site for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Master’s in Athletic Training Program, where our athletic trainers mentor and supervise graduate students as part of their hands-on professional training.