Athletic Training

Athletic training services are provided for all scholar-athletes at Southern Virginia University.

Southern Virginia's athletic training staff aids scholar-athletes in the prevention of injuries by keeping them healthy and prepared for athletic competition. When injuries do occur, Southern Virginia scholar-athletes are treated by a certified athletic trainer (see definition below).

"A certified athletic trainer (ATC) is a highly educated and skilled professional specializing in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the ATC functions as an integral member of the athletic healthcare team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs, industrial settings and other healthcare environments." (NATA, 2000)

Athletic Training Staff

  • Chad Mahaffey—men's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's tennis
  • Paul Tobias—football, men's basketball, wrestling, baseball
  • Amanda Hawkes—volleyball, women's cross country, women's basketball, softball 

Athletic Training Room

The athletic training room is located in the Knight Sports Arena across from the weight room. When using the athletic training room or its services, scholar-athletes are responsible to adhere to the following rules and regulation at all times—failure to do so may result in the forfeiture of athletic training room privileges.

Athletic Training Room Rules and Regulations

  • No horseplay, loitering, inappropriate language or disrespectful behavior.
  • No food or beverages allowed.
  • No cell phones allowed in the athletic training room.
  • No athletic equipment, spikes, cleats, gloves, or book bags are allowed in the athletic training room at any time.
  • Report all injuries and/or illnesses to an athletic trainer when they occur.
  • Under no circumstances are athletic training students to administer treatments unsupervised.
  • Please allow suitable time before practice/games or make arrangements with the athletic training staff for necessary treatment.
  • Being in the athletic training room is not an excuse for missing or being late for a class—please do not ask the athletic training staff for necessary treatment.
  • The computer and phone in the training room are for professional use only.
  • Please shower before entering the athletic training room for treatment
  • Please return all equipment at the end of each season (i.e., braces, wraps, crutches, et.)
  • Do not remove towels that are provided while in the athletic training room.
  • Athletes must be in accordance with the Dress and Grooming Standards of the university; however, dress may reflect treatment being received. Please note that the training room is co-ed.
  • The staff of the athletic training room will not treat scholar-athletes in violation of Southern Virginia University's Dress and Grooming Standards.

Athletic Training Room Hours of Operation

  • While Southern Virginia University’s classes are in session, the athletic training room will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. From 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. the athletic training room is available only to scholar-athletes that are in season and preparing for practice.  No rehabilitation will be done at this time; the athletic training room will reopen to all scholar-athletes after practice for post-practice treatments.
  • During weekends, the athletic training room will be open on an as-needed basis to cover in season sports practices or games.
  • During university holidays and breaks, and other instances when the university may be closed (e.g., weather emergencies), the athletic training room will be open on an as-needed basis to cover in-season sports practices or games.
  • During the fall and spring seasons, all athletic training staff members may be covering outdoor sport games or practices simultaneously, and the athletic training room may temporarily close to allow for coverage of these in-season sports.  If this is the case, emergency contact information will be posted outside of the athletic training room. A student trainer will staff the afternoon hours from 2-4 p.m. for athletes to get ice and basic first aid needs.