Athletics

Sports Medicine & Athletic Training

The Loyola Academy athletic training staff is here to provide professional and progressive rehabilitation through personalized care that emphasizes athlete education and prevention of future injury. We provide these services through skilled evaluations and recommended treatment options. We work in conjunction with the student's treating physicians to create programs that assist our athletes in returning to optimal performance levels on and off the athletic field. Our services are provided free of charge to our student-athletes.

Loyola Academy has two full-time certified athletic trainers and one full-time dedicated athletic trainer through our partner, AthletiCo. Each campus is fully equipped with all the modalities needed to treat and rehabilitate athletic injuries. We also have two team physicians that assist us during the school year.

Monday afternoons are reserved for in season athletes that require an evaluation from our team physician. Prior to a visit with the team physician, athletes need to be seen by a Loyola Academy athletic trainer for a screening process unless otherwise specified by the athletic training staff. These visits for in season athletes are offered free of charge.

Modalities and Treatments Available to Student Athletes

List of 6 items.

  • Cryotherapy Therapy

    • Game Ready
    • Cold Pack
    • Cold Whirlpool
    • Ice Massage
  • Strength Development

    • Resistance Bands
    • Core Development
    • Closed Kinetic Chain
    • Progressive Resistance Training
    • Open Kinetic Chain
    • Bike
    • Elliptical Trainer
    • Foam Roll Program
    • Plyometric Training
    • Body Blade
  • Manual

    • Active Stretch
    • Hydrotherapy
    • Manual Resistance
    • Massage
    • Passive Stretch
    • ROM Exercises
    • PNF
  • Thermotherapy

    • Heat Pack
    • Therapeutic Ultrasound
    • Therapeutic Ultrasound Pulsed
    • Recovery Systems
    • Warm Whirlpool
  • Electrotherapy

    • Interferential
    • High Volt
    • Russian
    • Micro Current
    • Premod
  • Recovery

    • Theragun Massage
    • Hypervolt Massage
    • Normatec

If you have any questions, please contact

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Natalie Paoletti

    Ms. Natalie Paoletti 

    Coordinator of Athletic Training
    (847) 920-2491
  • Photo of Joe Luzenski

    Mr. Joe Luzenski Jr. 

    Assistant Coordinator of Athletic Training
    (847) 920-2494

About Athletic Trainers

List of 5 items.

  • What is Athletic Training?

    Athletic training is an allied health care profession that is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic athletic injuries and medical conditions.
  • Who are Athletic Trainers?

    Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. The NATA Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training.

    Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skillset, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master's program, and 70% of athletic trainers have a master's degree.

    The Guide of Athletic Training Services describes the qualifications of athletic trainers and the clinical tasks they routinely perform in the delivery of quality health care for student athletes at Loyola Academy.

    If you are a current Loyola Academy student and interested in athletic training, you can learn more about the profession or become a volunteer student athletic trainer by contacting Coordinator of Athletic Training Mr. Andrew Rdzok at ardzok@loy.org
  • Athletic Training Education

    Athletic training is an academic major or graduate equivalent major program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The current minimum entry point into the profession of athletic training is the baccalaureate level, however it was recently decided by the AT Strategic Alliance that the minimum professional degree level will be a master's, a change to be implemented within the next several years. More than 70 percent of athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree. Upon completion of a CAATE-accredited athletic training education program, students become eligible for national certification by successfully completing the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) examination.
  • Professional Education

    Professional training education uses a competency-based approach in both the classroom and clinical settings. Using a medical-based education model, athletic training students are educated to provide comprehensive patient care in five domains of clinical practice:
    1. prevention
    2. clinical evaluation and diagnosis
    3. immediate and emergency care
    4. treatment and rehabilitation
    5. organization and professional health and well-being.
    The educational requirements for CAATE-accredited athletic training education programs include acquisition of knowledge, skills and clinical abilities along with a broad scope of foundational behaviors of professional practice. Students complete an extensive clinical learning requirement that is embodied in the clinical integration proficiencies (professional, practice oriented outcomes) as identified in the Athletic Training Education Competencies.

    Students must receive formal instruction in the following specific subject matter areas identified in the Competencies:
    • Evidence-based practice
    • Prevention and health promotion
    • Clinical examination and diagnosis
    • Acute care of injury and illness
    • Therapeutic interventions
    • Psychosocial strategies and referral
    • Health care administration
    • Professional development and responsibility
  • Continuing Education

    Per the Board of Certification

    Continuing education requirements are intended to promote continued competence, development of current knowledge and skills and enhancement of professional skills and judgement. These activities must focus on increasing knowledge, skills and abilities related to the practice of athletic training.

    As information continually changes, it is important for professionals to learn the latest about athletic training. Continuing education requirements are meant to ensure ATs continue to:
    • Stay on the cutting edge in the field of athletic training.
    • Obtain current professional development information.
    • Explore new knowledge in specific content areas.
    • Master new athletic training-related skills and techniques.
    • Expand approaches to effective athletic training.
    • Further develop professional judgment.
    • Conduct professional practice in an ethical and appropriate manner.
    NATA provides athletic trainers with a range of continuing education opportunities through workshops, webinars, home study courses and the Clinical Symposia & AT Expo.
    • Our Partner

      Loyola partners with AthletiCo for the coverage of practices and games at our Munz Campus in Glenview.

Treatment of Common Injuries

List of 4 items.

  • R = Rest

    Resting an injured area is necessary to allow the body time to get the effects of the trauma under control and to avoid additional stress and damage to the injured tissue. The period of rest required will vary depending on the severity of the injury (e.g. days to weeks). People who do not rest an acute (sudden or traumatic) injury can prolong the inflammation period and increase the healing time required thereby delaying the recovery.
  • I = Ice

    Ice applied promptly to an injury can slow down or minimize some of the inflammation. The cold causes a closing to the arterioles in the tissue, which reduces the bleeding. The local tissue metabolism slows down reducing its need for oxygen and nutrients, and the nerve impulses are slowed considerably to reduce the pain that is felt providing a numbing effect.
    Read More
  • C = Compression

    Compression is the application of an Ace Bandage or similar item around the injured area. Its purpose is to help control swelling and to provide mild support. Note: Any wrap should be applied carefully; too tight a bandage could constrict or interrupt vital circulation to the area.
  • E = Elevation

    Elevation involves raising the injured area above the level of the heart as much as possible. This position promotes the lessening or elimination of swelling through the use of gravity and lymph drainage system. To prevent injures, athletes should:
    Read More

Mental Health Information

Download the following documents for more information.

Nutrition & Exercise Information

Loyola Academy

1100 Laramie Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091-1089  |  847-256-1100
Loyola Academy admits students of any race, color and national origin or ethnic origin.
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