To the Editors:

As the leaders of the club sports at Oberlin College, we write this formal request on behalf of our teams for 1) access to professionals trained in sports medicine and 2) access to team transportation to and from club sporting events.

Our request for access to basic safety measures is not new; we have requested this for many years. Nevertheless, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. As club sports athletes, we continue to engage in strenuous and sometimes high risk physical activities without access to essential first aid and follow-up primary care. Additionally, as club sports athletes, we are continually required to drive long distances in our own cars to away contests and weekend tournaments.

The Strategic Plan that Oberlin College adopted in 2005 declares that one of the strategies for fostering campus community is to �build successful intercollegiate, intramural and club sports programs that meet the needs of Oberlin student- athletes and that integrate our athletic program with the academic and social life of the College.� We therefore recognize that Oberlin�s vision for the future is not only focused on fostering academic life, but also on nurturing a vibrant cocurricular life among the Oberlin community. Indeed, the Oberlin experience encompasses school, work, internships, art, music, theatre and sports. As our college begins a new phase with a new president, we call upon Oberlin College to enact the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan.

Currently, club sports athletes lack access to certified athletic trainers and cannot receive adequate sports injury-related care at Student Health or Allen Medical Center. This limited access to professional medical diagnosis and care by certified athletic trainers puts responsibility on the students for their own medical care. Self-diagnosis consequently puts students unintentionally in harm�s way as they may easily misdiagnose their injuries or continue to compete by choice, often worsening their injuries. Students who suffer sprains, pulled muscles, torn tendons, concussions, fractures and potentially life threatening injuries should be able to receive proper on-site attention and appropriate rehabilitation.

As club sports athletes, we also face undue risks driving long distances to engage in athletic competitions. We participate in the name of Oberlin College and travel to these events to represent Oberlin College. Despite the fact that waking up early, driving long distances, playing in physically exhausting competitions and driving back home again creates a recipe for disaster, we have no other means to participate in these events. The car accident that members of the Women�s Ultimate Frisbee team were involved in a few years ago represents the very real risk of our current transportation situation. We therefore respectfully propose the following:

1. Certified Athletic Trainers: Club sports student-athletes should have similar access to Certified Athletic Trainers, as varsity athletes do. Club sports athletes should be able to consult with the trainers at any point regarding injuries incurred playing their club sports and have access to basic sports medicine facilities.
2. Transportation: Club sports student athletes should have access to adequate means to transport all participants safely to and from events.

In conclusion, we ask the College to take the necessary steps to support us as both students and athletes. We understand that in order to be successful, we must work in conjunction with the College; as such, we are fully prepared and eager for this opportunity. We hope to hear from you soon, and if you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us.