Sports Medicine
The sports medicine staff at Richard Bland College is dedicated to providing the highest level of healthcare to all of our student-athletes. Through a partnership with VCU Health Systems our athletes have access to an extensive network of healthcare providers who specialize in sports medicine. Our two full time certified athletic trainers work closely with VCU Health sports medicine physicians and other community health care providers to ensure our athletes promptly receive appropriate care and ultimately return to play safely.
Physicals
All athletes are required to have a valid physical on file before beginning any athletic activity on campus each school year. The physical should be completed in person (not a telehealth appointment. Blank physicals can be downloaded HERE or through an athletes Sportsware account once they have completed the registration. Athletes should print all 4 pages of the physical and take the completed packet to the physical appointment.
The medical history section of your physical should be filled out completely before your physical so that it can be reviewed by your provider. Any yes answers should be explained in detail, extra space has been provided. Please include dates if possible.
ALL PHYSICALS MUST BE ON THE FORM PROVIDED. We will not accept physicals done in a different format or on a different form.
Sickle Cell
Per the recommendation of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers Association, we require all student-athletes to be tested for sickle cell trait before they will be permitted to try out, practice, compete, or participate in out-of-season training.
Sickle Cell Trait status requirements can be met in the following ways:
- Newborn Screening Test Results: Contact your hospital of birth/pediatrician's office and request a copy of your sickle cell trait status from your birth. Most states required newborn SCT testing beginning in 1990.
- Get tested: Provide a copy of a recent Sickle Cell Solubility Test indicating your Sickle Cell Trait status. This requires a written request from a physician, a blood draw from a physician's office or lab, and a lab test with results indicated.
Athletes who have tested positive for sickle cell trait will meet with the sports medicine staff annually. An individualized protocol will be developed and implemented under the direction of the team physician, the athletic training staff, and the head coach to help reduce the risk of sickle cell trait-induced health problems due to participation in training or competition.
If you have any questions about this process or need help finding somewhere to be tested please contact the sports medicine staff.
Sportsware
All student-athletes will be required to create a sportsware account. Instructions can be found HERE. Athletes will need to fill out all of the information marked “required” and all forms need to be completed. Returning athletes who already have an account will still need to log in to complete the forms and update their information.
Insurance
The insurance tab of sportsware should be completed including a picture of the front and back of the student athlete’s insurance card. Student athletes should also have access to their insurance card at all times while participating in athletics at Richard Bland College. It is the responsibility of the student athlete to read the information provided and comply with all policies. Student athletes who are covered under a parent or guardian’s health insurance plan are responsible for sharing this information with the policy holder.
Contact Us
We will be available throughout the summer by email. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions about the summer paperwork process or are having difficulty scheduling a physical/sickle cell testing.
Email: khill@rbc.edu or ndudzic@rbc.edu