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SPATS 2008

• Overview
• Seminar Schedule
• Activities & Outings
• Hotel Information
• Register and pay online
• Photo Gallery from SPATS 2007

The Valley Athletic Trainers Association was created in the spring of 2001 to address the professional needs of the growing number of athletic trainers in the Rio Grande Valley. VATA is the result of many years of hard work beginning in the early 60’s, when only one athletic trainer, Larry Lohr, was working in the Valley. The growth of the profession since the early days has been tremendous. Over 40,000 student athletes are served by more than 70 athletic trainers in our schools. There are more than 30 4A and 5A high schools in the area, each employing at least two, and sometimes three, Licensed Athletic Trainers. Most 3A and even some 2A high schools employ an athletic trainer. The Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States, and that growth is also seen in our two four-year universities. The sports medicine programs at the University of Texas – Pan American and the University of Texas – Brownsville, offer great opportunities for student athletic trainers in the Valley. And finally, several pro sports leagues call the Valley home. With two baseball teams, two basketball teams, and a hockey team, there is something for every sports fan.  The Rio Grande Valley will continue to offer great opportunities and potential for growth in our profession.

Throughout the year VATA sponsors several events to offer continuing education for professionals and student athletic trainers.

• The South Padre Athletic Training Seminar (SPATS) has grown from 120 participants in 2001 to over 350 in just a few short years. With the tropical South Padre Island as the backdrop, SPATS has established itself as one of the leading sports medicine seminars in the State of Texas.
• The VATA Scholarship Golf Tournament is hosted every year in conjunction with SPATS at the South Padre Island Golf Club. Each year the golf tournament raises money to fund four $1000 scholarships to eligible seniors. Two of the scholarships are named to honor past Valley athletic trainers. They are the Larry Lohr Memorial Scholarship and the Anita Garcia Memorial Scholarship. This is VATA’s way of honoring the valuable contribution that these two individuals made to our profession.
• The annual Student Athletic Trainer Workshop is put together every spring for students from across the Valley. This workshop enables students to get together and meet new friends, show off skills, and learn about relevant topics from professionals.
• CEU mini clinics are sponsored to give professional members of VATA an avenue to earn continuing education hours throughout the school year.  These clinics are held in various locations around the Valley and offer topics that are always interesting and up to date.
  

The Valley Athletic Trainers Association is under the direction of an elected Board of Directors. VATA is essential to the organization of athletic trainers across the Rio Grande Valley and allows every athletic trainer to get as involved as they want to be. Our students are given opportunities to broaden their skills through workshops, further their education through scholarships, and pursue sports medicine careers if they choose to do so. VATA will continue to meet its mission as an organization and provide opportunities for individuals to get involved whenever possible.