Brian Beck - Athletic Trainer

William (Bill) Couts - Athletic Trainer

La Roche University, in collaboration with UPMC Sports Medicine, offers comprehensive health care for its student-athletes. This includes having a Certified Athletic Trainer at all in-season practices and home competitions. The partnership with UPMC provides La Roche student-athletes with direct access to top Sports Medicine physicians, Orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, sports nutritionists, sports performance trainers, neuropsychologists for concussion care, and other specialists within the hospital system. UPMC Sports Medicine is a leader in the prevention, care, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries in the area.

A Certified Athletic Trainer is a qualified allied health care professional trained in managing health care issues related to sports participation. Under the guidance of La Roche’s Team Physician, Dr. Melissa McLane, the Athletic Trainers provide comprehensive care at La Roche University. Their responsibilities include prevention, recognition and evaluation, management/treatment and disposition, rehabilitation, organization and administration, and clinical education and counseling.

Athletic Trainers are responsible for returning athletes to their sport through a progressive, functional, and innovative rehabilitation program. They strive to educate athletes about injuries to promote healthier lifestyles. The team is committed to using available and affordable technology and continuously upgrading equipment to ensure athletes receive the most modern care.

This philosophy emphasizes health and wellness, enabling injured student-athletes to return to sport as soon as it is medically safe. Services are provided to maintain the highest standards of quality, consistent with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Code of Professional Practice and Pennsylvania’s credentialing statutes. The medical team aims to support La Roche University with the necessary human resources to achieve the program’s goals.

The team physician oversees medical care for all La Roche University athletes, including injury/illness evaluation, referral to specialists, and prescribing therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation exercises for return to competition. The team physician makes the final decision on an injured/ill athlete’s return to competition and shares philosophical views on injury management and rehabilitation with the athletic trainer.

Athletic Training Students from colleges or universities must complete a certain number of internship hours under a Certified Athletic Trainer’s supervision as part of the NATA educational requirements. La Roche University, in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh and Chatham University, serves as a clinical site for these students. Student Athletic Trainers observe and assist staff Athletic Trainers in daily functions and are certified in first aid and CPR. La Roche University provides an educational setting for Student Athletic Trainers.