St. Patrick's Day Parade, Scranton PA.

Kudos goes out to the East Stroudsburg University and King’s College Athletic Training Education Programs for their efforts in advocating National Athletic Training Month during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Scranton, Pa on March 14, 2009.  The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Scranton is the second largest parade in the United States, having over 100,000 spectators and 11,000 participants. 

The event was organized by sisters and Certified Athletic Trainers Colleen and Ryanne Shotwell.  As members of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society Public Relations committee, they approached the organization about sponsoring a float in the parade not only to celebrate NATM but also raise awareness of the profession.  With the help from Teresa Zepka, PATS Public Relations Chair, the PATS Board of Directors, and colleagues and students from each institution, the event was a definite success! 

Students and faculty from ESU and King’s marched in the parade promoting NATM and as well as National Brain Injury Awareness Month.  The groups designed an interactive float with an ATC performing various clinical skills on an injured athlete.  They also handed out concussion cards, information on the profession, T-shirts that read “I Support My Athletic Trainer” “Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2009”, and other small goodies. 

Much thanks to PATS for sponsoring  the event and to the young and upcoming professionals for making it such a success!