Recently athletic training students in the Professional Athletic Training Program received a Nexus Deadbug Sling bag to welcome them to the program and profession. Not only is this the first type of gift giving event hosted by the program, but the gift also carried several additional meanings. The bag itself is created by one of our Post Professional Advanced AT program alums, J. Ostia to help change the bag game for athletic trainers. The bag allows for better storage, easier access, and overall is helping athletic trainers provide better healthcare services in action.

As part of the bags, the program used it as an opportunity to fundraise to help provide the Deadbug bag at no cost to students, and add additional scholarship funds to the program to help future athletic training students. The program raised over $3,000 with a large portion going towards scholarship. Sponsors were given the opportunity to sponsor a bag or USF Athletic Training patch, and provide each student with a personalized note of encouragement. The sponsors were family members, friends, faculty, staff, and other USF and USF Health community members.

Amanda Tritsch, PhD, ATC, CSCS – Associate Professor and Professional Athletic Training Program Director said “these bags are a great opportunity to provide our students with a resource to be successful, celebrate one of our alums, but also show our commitment to our program, future students, and profession. These new sling bags are helping to improve our active healthcare setting as athletic trainers, but also shows how our alums and program are Leading the Way. I am also thankful to each of our sponsors who helped make these bags and patches happen, but also adding to our scholarship fund”

(J. Ostia, alum and Nexus founder)

If you are interested in making a donation to the Athletic Training student scholarship fund you can still do so here: Usf.to/davidleffers