Tampa’s Sports Medicine program was granted a behind the scenes visit to the Philadelphia Phillies spring training complex in Clearwater Florida. Students were exposed to every aspect  of  the organization in hopes of spawning a real interest and passion in their chosen field.  The visit included a locker room visit in which they observed the interaction of players at every level and clubhouse management. Front offices also were explored in which the students got to visit with the International players general manager, a team senior consultant, and the teams substance abuse coordinator.  They also got to visit the sports rehabilitation and strength complex where they got to talk with the Phillies coordinator of minor league rehabilitation and two of his assists. Visiting locker rooms and accommodations were also explored for a real life look at life on the road. Prior to the game the students got to observe the quick turnover from practice to game mode by the field crews.  The highlight of the experience came as the rival Pittsburgh Pirates competed with the Phillies at which time the students acted as exemplary ambassadors to several out of town spectators and ancillary staff explaining the bases of the KU – sports medicine program and exposing several to the KU – Tampa brand.

SMFT meet Phillies March 2015 (1)