Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission East High Schools have recently been nationally recognized as Safe Sports Schools. The Safe Sports School Award, given by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, recognizes secondary schools around the country that take the crucial steps to keep their athletes free from injuries.

            Both school’s athletic trainers are with The University of Kansas Hospital’s Sports Medicine and Performance Center. In the video, Kelli Kurle, athletic director at Shawnee Mission east, explains what it means to be a Safe Sports School. The school’s trainer, Megan Burki, talks about the best part of being a full time trainer. Mary Booton is a student-athlete, and talks about how the trainer has helped her. And Shawn Hair, varsity basketball coach, explains why it’s important for the coach to have a trainer always present at practices and games. Also in the video, David Ewers, the athletic director at Shawnee Mission North, gives an example of how a trainer has helped in an emergency, and Kevin Stalsberg, the athletic trainer at Shawnee Mission North, explains why he’s so passionate about what he does.