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AUDIO STORY
Student Athlete’s Thoughts on Athletic Training on Campus
Photo of Athletic Training Interaction by the University of Lynchburg
Student athletes at the University of Lynchburg are sharing their experiences and opinions on the athletic training provided to them through the school.
Numerous qualifications must be met in order to provide University of Lynchburg athletes with the proper care. According to the school’s website, all trainers must be certified by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer and licensed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. They also have a master’s degree in the field.
The school says that these requirements ensure students are getting the highest level of treatment so that they are able to succeed within their given sport.
Junior men’s basketball player Jayson Easton shared his experience dealing with a season ending injury. “I think they did do their job correctly,” Easton said. In the early days of the 2024-2025 season, Jayson Easton found himself in the athletic training room with a stress fracture in his foot. Trainers had believed they were treating Easton’s injury; however, the pain was escalating. After an MRI, results showed a “clear break in [the] navicular bone,” according to the athlete.
After undergoing surgery, Easton is hopeful knowing that athletic training will work with him through rehabilitation.
Former women’s lacrosse player, Lauryn Fling expressed that her injury resulted from a “lack of presence” from athletic trainers. In the offseason, Fling suffered a stress fracture in her leg while playing lacrosse. She associates this with the fact that trainers were not able to get her taping and other treatments she required.
By sharing their experiences with athletic training, student athletes can help to hold trainers accountable and ensure that they are providing the best care for athletes.
To learn more about University of Lynchburg athletic training, visit their website, or visit the training room located in the third floor of Turner Gymnasium.
Sources:
Jayson Easton: eastonj342@lynchburg.edu
Lauryn Fling: flingl594@lynchburg.edu
Athletic Training Website: Athletic Training - University of Lynchburg
MSAT Website: Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) | University of Lynchburg
Photo: Unpacking Top Athletic Training Grad Programs: A Focused Guide | University of Lynchburg
Link to Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/emma-timberg/at-audio-package
PHOTO STORY
Code Red: Bringing Together a Campus
Code Red Pre-Game Preparation Photo by Emma Timberg
The University of Lynchburg continues to promote student attendance to special rivalry sporting events called “Code Red.”
The campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, or SAAC, describes Code Red as events designed to “increase intradepartmental support” within the athletic programs. Teams on campus will choose one home game, typically one of higher competition, to make their Code Red contest. These events bring out large crowds and encourage other teams to fill the stands in support of the athletes and coaches competing.
Code Red has become such a prominent element of campus life and has allowed students to become more immersed in the university community.
Junior golfer Gabbie Hollberg has been attending Code Red games for three years. “It’s a different environment than regular games” said Hollberg. These games, matches, and meets involve nearly the entire school. Hollberg expressed how much she enjoys getting to support and cheer on her school while also engaging with different athletes when being a spectator.
While Code Red is a fun way to participate in campus activities, it also tends to be helpful and meaningful to the athletes competing.
Men’s lacrosse player Nathan Miller revealed what Code Red means to him. He shared how important “the support you get from one team to another” is when competing. Athletes feel connected when teams they once supported return the favor and show up.
Both Miller and Hollberg described their feelings using the same word. Code Red makes students feel like a “family.” These events put aside differences in sport, academics, or background. Students simply support and engage with each other, creating a stronger community.
To learn more about Code Red and SAAC, you can visit their website here. To see the full schedule of the remaining Code Red games and how to support these athletes, follow Lynchburg Sports on Instagram.
The track where students watch Code Red photo by Emma Timberg
On Shellenberger Field photo by Emma Timberg
Men’s Lacrosse celebrates after Code Red win photo by Emma Timberg
Men’s Lacrosse player competes in Code Red photo by Emma Timberg
Student enjoying Code Red photo by Emma Timberg
Lacrosse ball set up for Code Red photo by Emma Timberg
Students pack the track for Code Red photo by Emma Timberg
Scoreboard ready for competition photo by Emma Timberg
Men’s Lacrosse prepares for Code Red photo by Emma Timberg
Sources:
Nathan Miller: millern222@lynchburg.edu
Gabbie Hollberg: hollbeg369@lynchburg.edu
SAAC Website: https://lynchburgsports.com/sports/2023/9/5/saac.aspx#:~:text=CODE%20RED%20is%20a%20SAAC,as%20its%20CODE%20RED%20contest%20.
Lynchburg Sports Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynchburgsports/
DATA STORY
Wilmer Writing Center Promotes Student Engagement
Photo of plaque outside of the Wilmer Writing Center by Emma Timberg
The Wilmer Writing Center continues to find ways to increase student engagement and drive academic success at the University of Lynchburg.
According to the university website, the Wilmer Writing Center meets with all individuals on campus to improve writing skills. Through the use of tutors, students and faculty can become more engaged in their projects and build upon their work. Meetings can occur in person, online by video meetings, or they can simply upload their project for feedback.
The flexibility of the center has brought an increase in bookings. Dr. Rachel Willis is the director of the Wilmer Writing Center. Willis has noticed numerous trends in engagement attributed to social media promotion and word-of-mouth throughout campus.
“Within the last year we’ve had an increase in engagement from our graduate student,” Willis said. She believes this is because of the Doctor of Medical Science program’s students who are furthering their academics through the University of Lynchburg.
Overall, the campus reports satisfaction after using the Wilmer Writing Center, according to Willis and surveys she has received. However, she hopes that through continued promotion, student engagement will increase.
Finding talented tutors is vital in helping the center maintain their status. Sophomore Henry Gardiner discussed his role as a tutor in supporting academics through his job.
“I get a lot of English students,” Gardiner stated, “I’ve been pretty balanced with grade level but maybe having more freshmen.” Understanding who is using the center can be helpful in catering to certain groups while also understanding where there may need to be more of a push.
While response to the Wilmer Writing Center is positive, both Gardiner and Willis have noticed a lack in first-time visitors. They hope to continue building upon the center to increase this engagement.
“You have to be brave,” Willis said. She acknowledged that taking the first steps to come to the center can be scary, however, the writing center has numerous options to help improve projects.
The Wilmer Writing Center is located on the bottom floor of Hopwood Hall. To learn more about the Wilmer Writing Center, you can visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
Sources:
Rachel Willis: willis.r@lynchburg.edu
Henry Gardiner: gardinh576@lynchburg.edu
Wilmer Writing Center Website: https://www.lynchburg.edu/academics/academic-offices-and-services/writing-center/
