Bacterial infections caused by MRSA among students have recently gained national attention. However, athletic-department officials have long been aware of the dangers of such infections and the importance of good hygiene in preventing them. According to Susan F. Wooley, the executive director of the American School Health Association, there have been instances of MRSA in schools and athletics for at least 10 years. Athletic programs are particularly vulnerable to spreading such infections due to the high number of students in locker rooms, the use of shared equipment, and skin-to-skin contact during sports activities. As a result, athletics officials are responsible for isolating, preventing, and treating infections at school.
Although MRSA is not new to athletic trainers and coaches, there has been a recent increase in cases and it may be a more virulent strain. A federal study published last month highlighted MRSA as a major healthcare problem. Sports officials, however, have already been proactive in addressing this issue. According to Chuck Schmidt, the assistant executive director and chief operating officer of the Arizona Interscholastic Association, certified athletic trainers have been aware of this problem for some time.
In response to concerns about various infections, including MRSA, school athletic and health officials have implemented stricter rules and protocols in the past two decades. These measures aim to minimize the risk of infections for student-athletes. Guidelines for proper hygiene, which are essential in preventing the spread of MRSA and other infections, are included in the rulebooks for high school sports. However, the challenge lies in effectively enforcing these guidelines. James L. Thornton, the head athletic trainer and director of sports at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, argues that without a full-time athletic trainer in every high school, it becomes difficult to identify potentially harmful infections among student-athletes. Only a little over 40% of high schools have access to an athletic trainer, and this number may not accurately represent the schools that have an athletic trainer available for day-to-day activities.
Without sufficient resources, many schools cannot afford to hire a full-time athletic trainer. In a recent lawsuit, a former football player at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., alleged that the college’s athletic department failed to maintain healthy conditions and practices in locker rooms, resulting in a severe MRSA infection. While college officials declined to comment on the lawsuit, they stated that Iona College prioritizes maintaining healthy environments for athletes.