National leader in student-athlete healthcare to provide advising, procedure development and education
COLUMBUS, Ohio and FRISCO, Texas (May 11, 2022) – As part of its desire to empower student athletes and sports medicine professionals with the resources necessary to achieve at the highest level, the Southland Conference is making a deliberate investment in their health, safety and well-being through a partnership with the U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health (USCAH).
Borne out of a consensus of conference athletic directors on the importance of mental health and wellness resources, the USCAH relationship will provide education, assessments, and consultative services to Southland Conference member institutions and conference leadership.
“Southland Conference sports medicine professionals were true unsung heroes of the pandemic years, testing and treating athletes to enable our conference’s high level of competition in tough circumstances,” said Southland Conference Commissioner Chris Grant. “As sports medicine technology and treatments continue their rapid evolution, we are pleased to have a partner who will keep our member schools and their sports medicine professionals on the cutting edge when it comes to the care of the whole athlete.”
In its role as chief medical consultant to the Southland Conference, USCAH will collaborate with conference staff and institutional athletic medicine professionals on conference-wide initiatives for student-athletes.
“USCAH is excited to collaborate with the Southland Conference and the member institutions in areas of athlete health, safety, and well-being,” said USCAH President & CEO James R. Borchers, MD, MPH. “This partnership illustrates the conference's priority regarding the overall experience for their constituents and USCAH is proud to provide resources and solutions that will enhance athletic healthcare throughout the conference.”
USCAH partners with teams, leagues and organizations at all levels of sport to provide athlete health, safety and welfare consultation, education and compliance resources. It works with more than 100 schools at the college and junior college level and currently has league-wide partnerships with 10 Division I and II conferences.
"We look forward to the formal partnership with the physicians, athletic trainers, and other medical professionals of USCAH that can bring outside expertise and support to the medical staffs of the Southland member schools to allow our on-campus staff to better serve our student-athletes,” said HBU Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Performance Richie Valdes. “With independent department assessments, continuing education for staff and student-athletes, and access to nationwide best practices, the partnership with USCAH will be a great benefit both immediately and in the long-term."
The partnership announcement is especially timely, as student-athletes, schools and conferences across the country recognize Mental Health Awareness Month in the month of May. These resources are more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic response affects the physical and mental well-being of student athletes.
“The Southland Conference is excited to collaborate with USCAH and add their vast array of knowledge and expertise to our team,” added Southland Conference Senior Associate Commissioner for Compliance and Conference Liaison to the Sports Medicine Committee, Thomas Samuel. “This medical advisory initiative is the first of its kind in our conference. It shows the commitment of our campus leadership to ensuring we are optimally assisting both our sports medicine professionals and our student-athletes.”
About the Southland Conference
Founded in Dallas in 1963 and now in its 59th competitive season, the Southland Conference celebrates the academic and competitive achievements of its member institutions and their student-athletes. Based in Frisco, Texas, the league now includes eight members in Louisiana and Texas and sponsors 19 NCAA Division I sports, with NCAA Championships automatic berths in 12 applicable team sports. The Southland Conference has won numerous national championships, including the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS title, and wins regularly in other sports in NCAA postseason play, including the 2021 Division I Men's Basketball Championship. The Conference also features a newly-expanded agreement with ESPN Networks, broadcasting hundreds of competitions each year, and is represented in the national corporate sales marketplace by Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment. The Southland has also served as the host conference for the successful NCAA Division I FCS Championship Game in Frisco since 2011.
About the U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health
The U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health provides independent, third-party athlete health and safety consultation, education and compliance from a team of experts with nearly 300 years of experience in athletics healthcare and administration. For more information, visit uscah.com
