The Illinois Athletic Trainers Association (IATA) is helping bring awareness to the importance of having a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) present at high school football games in 2018.

The IATA is teaming up with several IHSA football programs, who are placing IATA logos on their helmets to call attention to the initiative. Additionally, the IATA is using social media to show the important role that athletic trainers play in football.

“The bottom line is that football is safer with a Certified Athletic Trainer present,” said Mt. Zion high school athletic trainer Dustin Fink. “We also want to call attention to all the behind-the-scenes work that athletic trainers do. You see the athletic trainer run out on the field when there is injury, but fans don’t see things like the sideline prep, pre-game taping and emergency action plan preparation that athletic trainers are involved in.”

25 schools are participating in the campaign, with a different game featured each week. The IATA and schools are also calling attention to the campaign on social media via #ATsafeFB