Students interested in what goes on behind the scenes at sports events have a new place to learn with the new Athletic Training Club.

“The club was formed as an educational tool to get people more involved in athletic training at ISU,” said Brandon Padilla, president and creator of the club. “It lets people know what they can do with a major in athletic training and [about the] choices within the profession.”

Padilla, senior in exercise and sports science, said he encourages anyone interested in learning about athletic training or sports medicine to come to a meeting.

“Even if athletic training isn’t their major, what they learn at the meetings might help down the road,” he said. “We are here to inform and help out.”

Padilla said now is an especially good time for students to get involved.

“We are at the foundation and building up,” he said. “The club expands what we practice and learn and opens up many doors down the road with the connections we make now.”

Mary Meier, adviser of the club, said the club can be helpful in the future.

“The club allows students interested in athletic training to become involved. It’s a good networking tool and provides a different outlook on what to expect for a profession than what students can get from anywhere else,” she said.

Meetings for the club are conducted in a discussion forum every other week, Padilla said, which gives students a unique experience.

“We have two to three members present journal articles and research on a relevant topic, then discuss how it may or may not relate to exercise and sports science,” he said.

Meier, who is also director of the athletic training program, said she enjoys helping the club members. “I like to be involved with students and help them along the way,” she said. “Through the club, students can form a more family-like atmosphere.”

The group is looking ahead to next semester, and Padilla said they hope to hold fund-raising activities and have trips in addition to the discussion meetings.

In addition to planning meetings for next semester, Padilla said he hopes to expand membership in the club, which currently has about 40 students involved. “We should be able to grow next semester as the word gets out and when students learn about the different opportunities available to them in the exercise and sports science major,” Padilla said.

The next meeting will be Nov. 29 in the Jacobson Athletic Building.