The athletic trainers at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) are responsible for the delivery of health care to all student-athletes participating in sponsored WNMU athletic events. The WNMU athletic trainings staff will provide reasonable medical coverage for all student-athletes who compete in intercollegiate athletics. Each member of the athletic training staff will do his/her equal share to provide this service.

The athletic training staff will operate within the guidelines outlined in the WNMU Athletic Training Policies and Procedures, Drug-Free Sport, the NCAA banned substance list, the NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook, and the NCAA Division II Manual.

Services provided include prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illness sustained as a direct result of participating in practices and/or games. The program also provides educational opportunities for students interested in learning about and obtaining experience in a sports medicine environment.

STUDENT-ATHLETE FORMS

In order to play sports at Western New Mexico University, new and returning student-athletes must complete and provide the WNMU sports medicine and insurance forms.

Note: All physical examinations for new WNMU student-athletes must be dated AFTER May 1, 2008.  In addition, all prospective WNMU student-athletes, prior try-outs, must present a complete current physical examination form (within six months of try-out date) to a WNMU athletic staff member. 

For questions, please contact the athletic trainers at (575) 538-6236 or via email at stimacm@wnmu.edu or straint1@wnmu.edu.

INSURANCE

Effective August 1, 2008, all WNMU student-athletes are required to provide primary insurance for themselves in order to practice and/or compete.  The athletic trainers can provide student-athletes who currently do not have coverage with information regarding available purchase options.  Click here for complete insurance requirements.

VISITORS TO SILVER CITY AND WNMU

Western New Mexico University is an NCAA Division II school located in the southwest corner of New Mexico. The relatively inexpensive school has an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students, and the small size in one of its greatest assets.

The small campus is beautiful and nestled in the foothills of the Gila Wilderness. Western is known for the tranquil, slow paced lifestyle of small town living, but you will never be without something to do. The on-campus dorms and cafeteria are also very nice and easily accessible to the entire campus.

WNMU is located in Silver City, a small town of about 15,000 residents. It is located in the foothills of the Gila Wilderness, which means that both the forests and deserts are extremely accessible. This geographic location keeps the weather very nice, as Silver City is known for its four gentle seasons. The nearest large cities and airports are Albuquerque, NM, Tucson, AZ and El Paso, TX, which are all between three and four hours away.  Click here for complete directions.

For hotels, restaurants, medical information, contact information, media information, and a campus map, go to our  Visitors' Packet.

DEFINITION OF AN ATHLETIC TRAINER

"An athletic trainer is a qualified allied health care professional educated and experienced in the management of health care problems associated with sports participation. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health care personnel, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the athletic health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine clinics and other athletic health care settings. The athletic trainer functions in cooperation with medical personnel, athletic administrators, coaches, and parents in the development and coordination of efficient and responsive athletic health care delivery systems."

ATHLETIC TRAINING EDUCATION

The athletic trainer's professional preparation is directed toward the development of specified competencies in the following domains: prevention, recognition and evaluation, management/treatment and disposition, rehabilitation, organization and administration, and education and counseling. Through a combination of formal classroom instruction and clinical experience, the athletic trainer is prepared to apply a wide variety of specific health care skills and knowledge within each of the domains.

MEET THE ATHLETIC TRAINERS

	Name: Michael Stimac Phone: (575) 538-6236 Email: stimacm@wnmu.edu
Michael Stimac, originally from Trimountain, Michigan, changes gears for the 2008-2009 school year. A part-time employee of the WNMU athletic training staff since March 2007 and a full-time employee of Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City, Stimac enters the training room now full time. Involved in athletics since the age of three and former collegiate athlete, Stimac played hockey at Finlandia University where he received his Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant in 2004. He then went on to Northern Michigan University to get his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. Stimac brings in previous athletic training experience from Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University, both NCAA Division II institutions and members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). At Tech, he worked with nearly every sport over his six years as a student athletic trainer. While at Northern, he worked primarily with women’s soccer and football. Stimac also has a great amount of rehabilitation experience. While at Gila Regional Medical Center, he rehabilitated a variety of ages within the in-patient setting. He also fitted and adjusted adaptive equipment for patients, provided wound care, and assisted in the instruction of back safety. Prior to moving to Silver City, Stimac worked in physical therapy at Portage Health in Hancock, Michigan.
	Name: Terra Strain Phone: (575) 538-6236 Email: straint1@wnmu.edu
Terra Strain returned to Silver City and WNMU in 2007 after seven years away. In her second year as a staff member, she assists the successful volleyball program and is full-time in the athletic training room where she works with the Western New Mexico women's programs. Strain, a graduate of the Movement Science program at Western, wore a Mustang volleyball jersey from 1996-2000. During her four years, she was on the Gold Honor board each semester. She also was named to the Pac-West All-Conference Academic Team in 1999. After WNMU, Strain attended Montana State University - Billings where she received her Master of Science in Athletic Training degree in 2006. She also was an assistant volleyball coach for the Yellowjackets for one year. Most recently, Strain worked as an athletic trainer and head girl's volleyball coach at Bradshaw Mountain High School. The Virden, New Mexico native also coached for the Arizona Mile High Volleyball Club for one year and three years at Holbrook High School in Arizona. At Holbrook, she was the 3A North Co-Coach of the Year in 2002 and the 2004 1A-3A All-Star Coach in 2004.