Snoddy's Corner

Here at Goodpasture, Chris Snoddy is our Athletic Trainer for all of our sports on this campus. His office is in our Field House. Our facilities are recognized as one of the best in the state for High School Sports.

Chris has been with the Goodpasture Sports Program since the Fall of 1999. Chris attended Lipscomb University and completed his Masters at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Some of the awards and accolades Mr. Snoddy has received are from the Tennessee Athletic Trainer Society Hall of Fame; Chris is the only Athletic Trainer in the Lipscomb University Hall of Fame. He is recognized by SEC Athletic Trainers Association on their High School Athletic Trainer of the Year.  Mr. Snoddy will be serving as the president of the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Association beginning in January of 2010.

Before Chris came to Goodpasture, he worked 11 years as the Athletic Trainer at Lipscomb University. He also worked with a number of schools that include Ezell-Harding, Lighthouse Christian, Antioch, University School of Nashville and Freewill Baptist College. Chris has taught at 4 local Universities in Sports Medicine over the years.

Fieldhouse pics

One reason Chris has stayed here at Goodpasture for 10 years is that the coaches are good to work with. There is 1 Athletic Trainer, 19 different sports, 27 coaches and 350 athletes from grades 7-12. Since Chris has been here, he has met or exceeded TSSAA sports requirements for our sports athletes. Thanks to Clint Parnell, the athletic program is able to provide every team with a sports first aid kit.

Goodpasture is blessed with the finest equipment of any school in the state, thanks to the support of the coaches, administrators and boosters. The Athletic Training Room is well equipped with the latest Therapeutic Modalities.   When Mr. Snoddy first arrived at Goodpasture, he worked in one very small room of the old metal fieldhouse, with only one whirlpool (that did not work) and a table.  In 2009 a new 4-channel electrical stimulator and laser joined 2 other esteems, 2 whirlpools, a paraffin bath, ultrasound, and a 12-pack hydrolulator in 2008. Goodpasture has 3 automatic external defibrillators, placed strategically near the athletic venues.  The improvement in his working facilities and equipment helps every Goodpasture student reap many benefits.

At Goodpasture, coaches care about their athletes and do not have a "win at all cost" mentality. Our coaches and Chris are constantly looking for ways to prevent injuries and increase performance in ways for our athletes to be more successful.

One example of this is our impact concussion testing program. Goodpasture was the first High School in Tennessee to implement neuropsych testing. This is the same program that is used by the NFL and the NHL to evaluate athletes with concussions. This doesn’t help to get the Goodpasture athletes back faster or sooner, but it does get them back safer.

One of the keys to a good Athletic Program is an annual sports physical when physicians and trainers work together. It helps to insure a safer sports season for each athlete. Communication is key to being a good Athletic Trainer. Clearer communication between the athletic trainer, coach, doctor, physical therapist, parent and athlete is crucial for the athlete's speedy and safe return. Dr. Chris Finlay and Dr. Rob Wilson have been instrumental in working with our athletes and their families with mild traumatic brain injuries since 2004. Every two years each Cougar athlete should have a new baseline assement. These are usually done during the off season in the computer lab or in the library. Athletes may go to the field house for follow up testing. For more information on concussions, please go to the impact link below.

Certified Athletic Trainers are allied health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and illnesses. An athletic trainer is a person who meets the qualifications set by the Tennessee board of athletic training and nationally by the Board of Certification. Athletic Trainers, or ATC's, work in schools, colleges, professional sports, clinics, hospitals, corporations, industry, military and the performing arts.

The National Athletic Trainers Association has a membership of over 30,000 members. For more information about the NATA checkout their website at: NATA.org

For those students who are interested in how to become an athletic trainer: You will need to go to an accredited athletic training program for either your bachelors or masters degree. A list of accredited athletic training programs are available at:How to Become a Certified Athletic Trainer

For any questions you might have for Mr. Chris Snoddy, please feel free to Email Him.

Concussion Information: Impact Test

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