Under a new agreement, North Central University (NCU) will be contracting with Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine for varsity athletic training and sports medicine services.
According to NCU Athletic Director Greg Johnson, MOL, using Mayo Clinic, an international leader in patient care, research, and education, as the provider of athletic training will provide a higher level of service for varsity student-athletes.
In previous years, North Central had one full-time certified athletic trainer (ATC) on staff. This new arrangement with Mayo Clinic includes a 35 percent increase in the volume of hours offered, as the Rams athletics programs will now have a seasonal, part-time ATC and a full-time Mayo employee who will be based at NCU’s downtown Minneapolis campus.
Through the agreement, Mayo Clinic will be recognized as official team physician and official sports medicine team for NCU.
Commitment to student-athletes
Mayo Clinic opened its sports medicine facility in downtown Minneapolis in 2014 and is the preferred medical provider for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx professional basketball teams. Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine has worked with schools at the secondary and post-secondary level, and welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities.
“North Central University’s commitment to its student-athletes shows in this decision to expand its training services,” says Jonathan Finnoff, D.O., the medical director for Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine at Mayo Clinic Square. “NCU is located blocks from our facility so their athletes can seek care close to home. We look forward to providing diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services to help their athletes stay on the top of their game.”
Johnson is enthusiastic about the relationship with Mayo and believes the arrangement will allow NCU Rams athletes to access services that help them excel as athletes. He said, “We expect our affiliation with Mayo Clinic will serve NCU student-athletes by improving performance and productivity, increasing pre-participation and injury rehabilitation awareness and services, and strategizing for success in athletics and health education moving forward. Our colleagues at Mayo Clinic and the athletics and coaching staff at NCU view this as an impactful collaboration for the future.”
Learn more about Rams Athletics at ncurams.com.
Photo credit: Mayo Clinic
