Athletico Teams Up with Chicago Public Schools for Pilot Athletic Trainer Program at Select Football Games

Athletico is partnering with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to launch a new pilot program that provides Certified Athletic Trainers for high school football games at three stadiums this year. The initiative, which is designed to enhance the health and safety of football players, is made possible with the financial support of Athletico partner, the Chicago Bears.

The program will provide game-day medical coverage at Hanson, Lane Tech and Gately stadiums, CPS schools that host the largest number of games, with Certified Athletic Trainers giving guidance to coaches, athletes, and parents before, during, and after an injury occurs.

Chicago Bears chairman, George McCaskey, Chicago Public Schools’ Gerod Shirly, and Athletico founder & president, Mark Kaufman, announce the partnership at a press conference on September 23.

“Athletico is proud and excited to be a part of this important initiative and to have the opportunity to provide these services to local athletes,” said Mark Kaufman, Athletico founder and president. “It’s critical that all student-athletes who are injured receive the attention needed to get back to the field of play as healthy as can be. We look forward to being a part of the process.”

In addition to onsite injury assistance, Athletico will provide post-injury communication and offer complimentary injury screenings to any CPS football player at all of their physical therapy clinics.  Athletico will also become a resource to all CPS football coaches around return-to-play protocols in cases such as concussion, throwing, or lower body injuries.

Working together, the Bears, CPS, and Athletico will evaluate this program throughout the football season with a goal of improving and expanding the initiative to ultimately include every stadium.

“We’re excited to expand on our existing relationship with the Bears and to start this new partnership with Chicago Public Schools,” said Kaufman. “For the past 23 years, we have worked with over 75 high schools in the Chicagoland area. We’re looking forward to bringing that same level of care to Chicago Public Schools.”

Athletico is largest employers of Certified Athletic Trainers in the United States, providing services to more than 150 organizations throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

VIDEO: Chicago Bears, CPS, and Athletico Announce Partnership