SPORTS MEDICINE
The UMB Sports Medicine Team includes four (4) athletic trainers who provide care for approximately 300 student-athletes in the Clark Athletic Training Center. The Athletic training room features treatment stations, hot and cold whirlpools, and rehabilitation devices that all aid in providing the highest level of care for UMB student-athletes.
The Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Performance and Operations, Ed Perkins, oversees the Sports Medicine program that offers UMB student-athletes comprehensive care encompassing prevention, evaluation, rehabilitation, and management of athletic injuries. In addition, much time is dedicated to the education and counseling of student-athletes in issues related to health and wellness.
HOURS OF OPERATION
In case of emergency outside of posted hours, go to the nearest Emergency Room or call 911. UMB Public Safety Emergency number 617-287-7777. Notify the Athletic Trainer as soon as possible after the incident.
INJURY/ILLNESS POLICY
Student-athletes must report all injuries to the sports medicine staff as soon as possible. This is important so that we may provide care and relay your status to your coaches & athletic performance staff and initiate referral to our physicians if necessary.
Once a student-athlete has seen an UMB athletic trainer for an injury or illness, they must be cleared before returning to participation.
Rehabilitation for injuries will be conducted based on the judgment of the UMB Sports Medicine Staff and will be performed by appointment only
MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE
Health insurance is mandatory for all UMB students. Students may use their own personal insurance or use the Student Health Insurance Plan offered by UMB. A fee for the SHIP will be assessed each academic term as part of registration fees. Students may waive out of SHIP by providing proof of adequate insurance that meets the University’s minimum requirements. SHIP must be waived online by the fee payment deadline for each term. No late waivers are accepted. Please note that submitting your health insurance information to the UMB Athletic Department DOES NOT waive student- athletes out of SHIP. Students are solely responsible for waiving out of SHIP (the Athletic Department cannot do it for them).
Costs incurred from athletic-related injuries resulting from participation in UMB sponsored/approved events will be paid for by your personal insurance first. Any residual expenses or non-covered items will activate the use of the UMB Secondary Health Insurance Policy.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
Before the start of each team’s formal practice sessions, each intercollegiate athlete competing for a UMass Boston athletic team will need to complete the following steps:
Incoming Student-Athlete Sport Medicine:
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Sickle Cell Trait Testing – You can obtain a copy if you have received a test at birth or through your primary care doctor. Otherwise please make an appointment through the University Health Center on campus or through your primary care doctor to obtain a test. Once the appointment is made you will have a 7-day grace period from the time of testing. If you do not provide a test time or have proof of test results, you will not be able to participate in athletics.
Returning Student-Athlete Sports Medicine:
REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS
The UMB Athletic Department would like to ensure its athletes are vaccinated to protect themselves and their team against preventable diseases. The list of vaccines that will be required of athletes is in accordance with the recommendations from national governing bodies, including the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Department of Health), AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics).
The expectation is that athletes will have vaccines updated prior to arriving for new/annual physical exam.
STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH ATTENTION-DEFECIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
The treating physician should be contacted to write a letter on behalf of the student-athlete documenting the diagnosis and treatment plan. The submitted paperwork must contain the following information:
The evaluation should include individual and family history, address any indication of mood disorders, substance abuse, and previous history of ADHD treatment, and incorporate the DSM criteria to diagnose ADHD. Attach supporting documentation, such as completed ADHD Rating Scale(s) (eg. Connors, ASRS, CAARS scores) the evaluation can and should be completed by a clinician capable of meeting the requirements above
This information will be needed annually if the student-athlete is on ADHD medication that contains a banned substance.
DRUG EDUCATION & TESTING PROGRAM
The privilege of representing UMass Boston Athletics as a student-athlete carries the responsibility of positively representing the character of UMass Boston, as a role model and a leader, both on and off campus. The mission of UMass Boston's Student-Athlete Substance Abuse Prevention Program is to define that responsibility and to maintain the integrity of UMass Boston, both academically and athletically, while strengthening our long history of athletic excellence. The drug testing program will:
The current NCAA policy of drug testing at all levels of Division III championships, along with the goal of UMass Boston athletics to compete at the highest level, necessitates the need for institutional drug testing policies to ensure student-athlete preparedness. The Athletic Department is taking a proactive approach to these issues by instituting a program of education, testing and support.
As of July 8, 2024, the Banned substance list by the NCAA can be found Here
The Athletic Department believes that random drug testing and testing based on reasonable suspicion are appropriate to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our student-athletes.
NCAA drug Testing Manual UPDATED as of August 1, 2024 (Notice: NCAA Medical Exceptions Policy and YOU)
The NCAA is implementing a stricter application of the existing Medical Exceptions policy which will require proof of current prescriptions for every medication an athlete is taking that is a banned substance, as well as proof of proper diagnostic procedures (particularly for ADHD diagnosis and medications). For more information click the link for Medical Exceptions below.
COUNSELING
Under the direction of the UMB Sports Medicine, services and referrals to psychologists and addiction specialists are made available to student-athletes and coaches as further information and/or treatment is required. To the extent permitted by law, all counseling is confidential. However, consultation with other health care professionals and/or program administrators can occur after obtaining expressed written consent from the student-athlete, or in the case of an emergency. Student-athletes and coaches are made aware of these resources and methods of obtaining these services in pre-season team meetings and other educational programs administered by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Consistent with Massachusetts law, individual counseling with licensed medical or psychological personnel is privileged under the patient-physician or patient- therapist privilege. If a student-athlete is a minor, parental consent and knowledge may be necessary. In appropriate cases, attempts are made to encourage student-athletes to permit involvement of family in the treatment program. Student-athletes who sign the consent form agree to allow program administrators to verify compliance with mandatory assessment/counseling sessions.
School Resources: The Counseling Center
