Improving Needed Nationwide Opportunities & Value of Athletic Trainer Employment (innovATe)

innovATe logo

What is innovATe?

The goal of the innovATproject is to increase athletic training services in secondary schools. 

Background and Purpose:

  1. The innovATe project will provide support to 10-14 school districts currently without athletic training services to enhance health care for student athletes. 
  2. This is a critical step in promoting safety and injury prevention for secondary student athletes participating in all sports, including football. 
  3. innovATe is a collaborative project being administered by the Korey Stringer Institute and is funded by the Education Fund established as part of the settlement of the NFL Concussion Litigation

Mission Statement: The mission of UConn’s Korey Stringer Institute’s innovATe project is to increase access to medical care provided by an athletic trainer for secondary school athletes in underserved communities through the provision of funding, advocacy, education, mentorship, and strategic support to school districts and through partnerships with local medical services.

Vision Statement: Our vision is to dramatically increase access to athletic training services for secondary school athletes in traditionally underserved communities.

innovATe in the News

Physical education teacher encouraging students doing push-ups

KSI Program Supporting Athletic Trainer Services in Secondary Schools Extended

UConn’s Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) has received an additional $3 million to continue their innovATe program, connecting schools around the nation with athletic training services

Read more.

Check out this video by Merril Hoge (former Pittsburg Steelers football player and Chicago Bears football player) expressing his experience and appreciation for athletic trainers and KSI’s innovATe project


If you have more questions about the innovATe program, please take a moment to fill out the form on our Contact page, or email the program director, Christianne Eason.