At Thursday’s meeting, the Marysville Board of Education approved a contract with Memorial Hospital to provide athletic training services for the district through 2027.
“It’s been a great partnership,” board member Dick Smith said, noting that the athletic trainers are a “godsend” for coaches.
Whereas in years past the agreement has been an in-kind type of arrangement between the two entities, the new contract comes with a substantial financial benefit to the school district.
Two previous contracts have centered around the hospital providing athletic trainers for the district free of charge in exchange for various signage and advertising opportunities surrounding school events. As recently as 2011-12 school year, the district paid the hospital for training services, at a cost of nearly $29,000.
According to the new contract, approved at the Thursday meeting, the hospital will be the one handing over dollars, with a $210,000 payment to the district on top of the free services offered. The payment will be made in two installments, one at the end of 2018 and one in May of 2019.
District superintendent Diane Mankins said the payment is essentially putting in writing the ongoing generosity of the hospital toward the district. She said the hospital has consistently allocated marketing dollars to school-related events and this agreement
Mankins said hospital officials authorized the district to use the money for the fundraising campaign to support a proposed $8.9-million plan to renovate the existing high school football stadium, build a new, adjoining track facility and create a football/track facility at Bunsold Middle School.
Mankins said the hospital would be appropriately recognized for its donation toward the project and the contract itself mentions prominent signage with the hospital logo and “Proud supporter and exclusive sports medicine provider for Marysville athletics.”
The term of the contract is also longer than two prior such contracts. The previous two contracts have been for less than five years, while this one will run from July 2018 through July 2027.
Under the agreement, Memorial Health agrees to provide trainers to be available prior to practices, at sporting events and for a few hours on Saturday mornings throughout the school year. The agreement also continues to extend Memorial’s assistance at the middle school level, an area that was desperately needed according to Mankins.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the services we get,” Mankins said.
Also as part of the agreement, hospital staff will conduct a coaching clinic to provide safety training and certification as required by the Ohio Department of Education. Staff will also provide information at parents meeting for athletes to provide education in such areas as the district’s concussion program.
Also included in the contract are programs to offer physicals to athletes, a walk-in injury clinic and hydration and body composition testing for wrestling.
The contract does not specifically indicate that athletes needing additional service will be directed to Memorial Hospital.
“If a student requires the services of a physician or other healthcare provider, the athletic trainer will direct the student to the healthcare provider best able to provide the requisite care for the student. Provided; however, the student and his/her parents/guardian shall have the freedom to select the healthcare provider of choice,” the contract reads.
In exchange for the services and payment, the hospital will receive prominent banners, scoreboard space, vinyl applications to walls in all athletic playing and practice locations. The cost of the displays will be absorbed by the hospital, with the exception of permanent signage at the stadium project.
The hospital will also be recognized during public address announcements at events and in programs. The hospital will be recognized on ticket stubs and will receive a link on the district website.
The hospital will also be considered a sponsor of various district camps and clinics, and its logo will appear on practice uniforms where permitted and on camp or clinic T-shirts.