Rutgers Prep Athletics

1.    RPS school policy requires that every athlete must turn in an Athletic Participation Form to the athletic trainer prior to participation for each sport's season.  This form must be dated no more than 60 days prior to the first practice.

2.    RPS school policy requires that any athlete who sees a physician due to an athletic related illness or injury must turn in a “return to play” or “medical release” note to the athletic trainer from the physician before they can continue to participate in their sport.  If the athlete does note have a clearance note from their physician he/she will not be allowed to particpate in RPS athletics.  This policy allows the athletic trainer to be aware of the athlete’s status and to help better care for all RPS athletes.

3.    RPS follows the concussion guidelines set forth by the Zurich Consensus Statement and the NJSIAA as follows:

At any time during a practice or game that a student athlete experiences any sign(s)/symptom(s) of a concussion he/she will not be allowed to return to play/practice that day.

      Please see the Concussions page of the Athletic Training site for the full concussion policy, Return to Play Guidelines and important concussion information.

Susan has been the athletic trainer for Rutgers Prep student-athletes in grades 7-12 since the 2005-2006 school year.  She earned her bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from West Chester University.  Prior to joining the RPS staff she was employed at a physical therapy clinic in Pennsylvania working with rehabilitation patients and professional athletes.    

Certified athletic trainers, also known as ATCs, are medical professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur in athletes and the physically active. You’ve probably seen an ATC working with professional athletes on television, at local sporting events and in the school’s athletic training room.

As your child’s athletic trainer, I ensure that s/he remains healthy and is able to participate in practices and games. My primary responsibilities are injury prevention, reduction of further injury by administering immediate care, development and implementation of rehabilitation programs and development of appropriate policies, including return-to-play.  I usually work behind the scenes but you may also see me on the sidelines at games and practices.  I’m often in the athletic training room helping athletes rehabilitate following an injury. I can also be found in my office keeping records of medical histories and treatments.

Athletic trainers are board certified by an independent organization called the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Board of Certification. To become certified, an individual must possess a bachelor’s of science degree from a college or university with an accredited athletic training program and pass the written and practical components of a certification exam. To maintain his/her credential, an ATC must complete 75 hours of continuing education every three years.