Athletic Training
Viterbo University Athletics has affiliated with Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine to provide state of the art sports medicine care for its student-athletes. This affiliation allows the University to have benefit from the services of Gundersen Lutheran's Athletic Training Staff during the academic year.
Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) are allied medical professionals, recognized by the American Medical Association, whose work focuses on the prevention, recognition, evaluation, emergency care, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. It is the responsibility of the AT staff to insure the student-athlete's safe return to participation after an injury by facilitating comprehensive care. Each of Gundersen Lutheran's ATCs is Certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification and licensed to practice in the State of Wisconsin.
Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine employs 11 full-time and 8 part-time ATCs who provide outreach services to 30 Coulee Region schools.
The special affiliation between VU and GL allows streamlined access to Sports Medicine Fellowship Trained Orthopedic Surgeons and Family Practice physician when necessary. Additionally, VU athletes benefit from receiving some of the injury rehabiliation services from GL's experienced physical therapists.
Additionally, in 2003, the University entered into a contract for initial eating disorder assessments with Gundersen Lutheran Nutrition Services/Eating Disorders Clinic.
Periodically, the athletic trainers arrange for special consultations and presentations from other medical specialties such as Otolaryngology, Urgent Care, Family Practice, Psychiatry, and Neurosurgery-thus providing comprehensive care and medical education to the VU student-athlete.
Athletic Training Staff
Sheldon E. Wagner, MS, ATC, CSCS
BA-Gustavus Adolphus College
MS-University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Emergency Medical Technician
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Certified Athletic Trainer since 1994
2004 Viterbo University Servant Leader Award Winner
Joseph E. La Mere, MS, ATC, PES
BS-University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
MS-Illinois State University
Performance Enhancement Specialist
Certified Athletic Trainer since 1992
2004 Viterbo University Servant Leader Award Winner
Hours/Services: The AT staff builds its schedule around the practice and games schedule of the teams. The AT staff gives priority to in-season athletes but will see all out of season athletes on an appointment basis. The AT staff is available for most practice sessions and all in-season games. The hours are posted monthly on the door of the AT Room.
Facilities/Equipment: The Athletic Training Room is located in Student Activity Center. The AT Room is equipped with ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hot and cold therapy, and other specialized rehabilitation tools and devices.
