WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals to Provide Athletic Trainers for Van High School Football Program

 WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals is partnering with Van High School to provide athletic training services for the school’s football program, helping ensure student-athletes have access to professional sports medicine support throughout the season.

The partnership follows efforts by Van High School to secure athletic training coverage for its football program ahead of the 2026 season, ensuring student-athletes have the medical support needed to safely practice and compete.

Through the partnership, athletic trainers from WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals will provide coverage for Van High School football practices and games, supporting injury prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation for student-athletes.

“We are proud to support Van High School and its student athletes by providing access to athletic training services,” Greg Rosencrance, M.D., president and CEO of WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals, said. “Athletic trainers play an important role in keeping student-athletes healthy and helping them safely participate in the sports they love.”

This effort was led by Jill Daniels, PT, director of rehabilitation at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals, who worked to coordinate the athletic training support for the Van High School football program.

“Jill’s leadership and commitment to finding a solution for these student athletes is a great example of the way our team works to support the communities we serve,” Rosencrance added.

Van head football coach Mark Agosti said the lack of an athletic trainer created uncertainty for a program working to return to the field. The Bulldogs did not field a team during the 2025-2026 school year because of insufficient player numbers. Agosti also said the program faced a similar athletic trainer shortage two years ago, when the team traveled to Scott to practice until coverage was secured.

"To see Thomas Hospitals step up so these kids can have a season is huge,” Agosti said. “Our community, kids and school are extremely grateful for their willingness to help when we couldn’t find a solution locally. Thomas Hospitals has definitely made a difference in our community that we won’t soon forget."

WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals has a longstanding commitment to providing sports medicine and athletic training resources to area schools and student-athletes. Athletic trainers serve an important role as part of the health care team, working directly with athletes, coaches, parents and medical providers to help prevent and manage sports-related injuries.

Services provided by athletic trainers may include injury prevention and education, immediate injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, concussion management and guidance on safe return to play.

To learn more about rehabilitation services at Thomas Hospitals, visit ThomasHospitals.org.

Photo caption: Lesleigh Barber-Thompson, PT and Daniel Hepner, PT, ATC visited Van High School to complete pre-season baseline concussion screens on all football athletes.