National Grant Received
PRESS RELEASE - May 13, 2025
Strengthening Community Support: SMC’s Commitment to Student-Athlete Safety with Grant-Funded Athletic Training Services
Saunders Medical Center and Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools Partner for Prestigious National Grant to Expand Athletic Training Outreach
Saunders Medical Center (SMC) and Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools (AGPS) are thrilled to announce the hiring of Cassie Metzner, MA, ATC, to provide outreach athletic training services. This partnership follows a two-year effort, culminating in AGPS being selected for the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) InnovATe Grant Project. Saunders Medical Center is one of only five recipients nationally this year, and over the past four years, 16 school communities have been awarded this honor.
“The collaboration between SMC and AGPS is a prime example of the powerful impact of community partnerships dedicated to the health and safety of student-athletes,” said Christianne M. Eason, PhD, ATC, President of Sport Safety and Education at the Korey Stringer Institute.
With student athletic participation on the rise at Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools, the district is committed to providing a safe environment for athletes. By hiring Metzner, AGPS ensures proactive medical attention during both practices and performance contests. Dustin Deterding, Athletic Director for AGPS, shares, “We want to guarantee that our student-athletes receive immediate medical care when needed, offering them a safe and supportive environment to thrive in both practice and competition.”
The KSI InnovATe Project’s mission is to expand access to athletic training services in underserved secondary school communities, through funding, advocacy, education, mentorship, and strategic support. This initiative plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of student-athletes in all sports, including football.
The InnovATe program, administered by KSI and funded by the Education Fund from the NFL Concussion Litigation settlement, aims to help districts increase access to athletic training services. Dr. Eason praised the partnership, stating, “SMC’s application clearly outlined the need for athletic training services in their community. Their commitment to long-term sustainability, through collaboration with local partners, further impressed our evaluation committee.”
This partnership will be supported by a grant that will provide $180,000 over the next three years. “The grant has enabled us to hire an athletic trainer while Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools prepares to take on the program’s financial responsibilities once the grant concludes,” said Rachel Hall, ATC, Head Athletic Trainer at Saunders Medical Center. “This aligns perfectly with our mission to support local schools and ensure their student-athletes have access to necessary medical oversight.”
“We believe our district is an ideal partner for KSI’s InnovATe project,” Deterding adds. “We are committed to providing the necessary resources to keep our student-athletes safe, and we’re excited to collaborate with KSI and SMC to make that a reality.”
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