SU Athletic Training Majors to Assist with Across the Bay 10K

SALISBURY, MD---When some 18,000 runners cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge during the inaugural Across the Bay 10K on Sunday, November 9, Salisbury University athletic training students will be there to help provide first aid.

“The medical director of the race reached out to local programs for volunteers and our students, faculty and staff eagerly signed up,” said Dr. Kelly Fiala, associate dean of the Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies.  

The sold-out charity run marks the first time the public has been able to cross the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge on foot since the last bridge walk was held in 2006. Organizers hope the 6.2-mile course across the iconic structure will grow into one of the world’s top 10K running events. Athletes nationally and internationally are expected to participate.

The 10 SU students assisting are seniors Kate Andersen of Parkton, MD; Kimberly Baldwin of Reston, VA; Jessica Fornieri of Bay Shore, NY; Nicole Frushour of Myersville, MD; Tara Greco of Kings Park, NY; Rebecca Himes of Frederick, MD; and Hisham Ziyout of Towson, MD; along with juniors Nya Dobbs of Salisbury; Kelsey Reilly of Silver Spring, MD; and Korinna Sachs of Baltimore.  They will be accompanied by Dr. Jenny Toonstra of the Health and Sport Sciences Department, and staff athletic trainers Ryan Hyde, Nicole Mosman and Emily Wood.

Athletic training majors from SU volunteer annually at events including the University’s Sea Gull Century bike ride, the Tim Kennard Run and the Special Olympics Maryland State Soccer Tournament, as well as SU Athletics-sponsored activities.  For this year’s Century, 11 seniors created emergency action plans, managed first aid supplies, and recruited 36 other student volunteers and athletic trainers to cover the event.

“These are not required experiences; they are purely voluntary,” said Fiala, adding, “There is a long history at SU of giving back to the community.”  The students’ desire to volunteer stands out from other campuses, she said.

“The experiences I have gained at SU have been tremendous,” said Ziyout, president of SU’s Athletic Training Club. “The university and its athletic training program have allowed me to make my own decisions, treat others with a holistic approach, and apply the skills that I have learned in the classroom to the real-world.”

“These experiences primarily help our students develop as civic-minded, responsible individuals who see the big picture and have a sense of community,” Fiala said. “Our goal is that they will continue with volunteer opportunities after graduation. In addition, they gain experience beyond their regular required athletic training rotations.”

For example, Fiala added, Special Olympics allows students to interact with children and adults with intellectual disabilities, while the Century lets them help people of all ages and abilities, and see different injuries than occur in intercollegiate athletics. 

This newest opportunity will expose them to the work of Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray, who is coordinating the Across the Bay 10K with the Eastern Shore’s Peter Paris and Sparrow Rogers, founders of Chesapeake Bay Bridge Run, LLC.

“The groups we work with are always very appreciative,” Fiala said. “We get positive feedback from participants about the initial care and follow-up that is provided. They are always grateful to medical and non-medical volunteers.”

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.