Mastic Beach, NY - September 4, 2014 – Jason McKay, the head athletic trainer at the William Floyd School District, recently received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) “Safe Sports School” award 1^st Team designation for the district’s Athletic Training and Sports Medicine Program. The award recognizes leadership in following the established healthcare safety guidelines, the utilization and maintenance of proper equipment and the ability to provide the appropriate medical personnel for student athletes. William Floyd is only one of four schools in New York State to receive this designation and the only one on Long Island. Click here for a complete list of the 239 recipients nationwide.

“This award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment which is what we do here at William Floyd,” said Mark Mensch, Athletic Director, William Floyd School District. “It is an acknowledgment of the work that Jason has done on behalf of the district to champion safety and provide the safest possible environment for our students and student athletes.”

In order to receive the 1^st Team designation, NATA’s highest “Safe Sports School” award, schools must demonstrate that its programs provide pre-participation physical examinations and a permanent and appropriately-equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes; offer strong healthcare and medical services through the athletic trainer and physician; develop injury and illness prevention strategies; provide or facilitate injury intervention; offer educational services to all students who may be interested in the medical or healthcare fields; promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities; ensure that parents and students are aware of the potential benefits and risks of participating in sports; and much more.

“NATA’s process for evaluating nominees is so stringent that it dissects nearly 50 different aspects of how athletic trainers practice,” said Mr. McKay. “It is a tremendous honor to receive this award and it speaks volumes to the work that we do at William Floyd in treating and caring for our students and student athletes.”

In a congratulatory letter co-written by NATA President Jim Thornton and Executive Director Peter Saddler, the organization lauded Mr. McKay for “the superior efforts made by the William Floyd School District to protect its youth athletes.” They continued, “We are proud of the ‘Safe Sports School’ award and its recipients. It is not an easy award for which to qualify and you can be deservedly proud.”

The “Safe Sports School” award 1^st Team designation will last for three years and expire midway through 2017 at which time the district will have to once again demonstrate its adherence to NATA’s “Safe Sports School” principles and guidelines.

McKay has served as an athletic trainer in Long Island school districts for more than 15 years, the last seven of which have been at William Floyd. He received his AS from Suffolk Community College as a Fitness Specialist; and earned a BS from Stony Brook University with a concentration in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training. He is currently pursuing his graduate degree at Adelphi University. He also serves as a clinical instructor for Stony Brook University’s Athletic Training Program. 

Pictured: Jason McKay, head athletic trainer at William Floyd, received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association “Safe Sports School” award.