AUGUSTA, Ga. | Young Harris College received the 2019-20 Dissinger Reed Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award. The athletic trainers at the Peach Belt Conference's 12 member schools select the award.

The award is the fourth for Young Harris, which also won in 2019, 2017 and 2015.  This is the ninth year of the program.

"We are very fortunate to have Jared Sandler leading our athletic training department," said Young Harris Director of Athletics Jennifer Rushton. "Jared and his staff do an outstanding job of serving our student-athletes and opposing teams when they travel to our campus. To win this award for two consecutive years is indicative of the level of knowledge and professionalism that Jared and his staff display on a consistent basis." 

Under the direction of head athletic trainer Jared Sandler, the Young Harris College athletic training program is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality medical services to every Young Harris College student-athlete. This is completed through the education of student-athletes in injury prevention, injury care and rehabilitation, nutrition, training techniques, and healthy choices for life. The Mountain Lion athletic training program continually improves upon the current knowledge available in the sports medicine field regarding the newest treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention techniques in order to enhance each student-athlete's athletic success.

"My staff and I are humbled to have been chosen for this award," said Sandler. "I truly believe I work alongside a first class staff who continue to go above and beyond what I ask of them. They are the driving force. We are very fortunate to have the support from our administration, coaches, student athletes, team doctors and athletics support staff.  All PBC athletic training staffs should be recognized for all that they do. We are continually grateful to our fellow PBC athletic trainers for their support during this unprecedented time."

Sandler, who also serves as vice president for the Georgia Athletic Trainers' Association, and assistant athletic trainers Halee Brown, Lundon Addison and Griffin Warner oversee the YHC athletic training staff.  Haylee Black and Ariauna Washington served as graduate assistant athletic trainers in 2019-20.  YHC also has a partnership with Union General Hospital and the following doctors for the comprehensive care of its student-athletes: Dr. Jacob B. Stirton, Dr. Michele Bradford, Dr. Samuel Church, Dr. Greg Wilson and Dr. Robert Peck
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