Certified Athletic Trainers

Joe Friedrich, ATC - Head Athletic Trainer
Office:  732-987-2687;  Secure Fax:  732-987-2031
Email:  friedrichj@georgian.edu

Jodi Anderson, ATC, CSCS, EMT-B - Assistant Athletic Trainer
Office:  732-987-2777;  Secure Fax:  732-987-2031
Email:  andersonj@georgian.edu

Hours of Operation

An athletic trainer will be on-site for all home practices and events.  Hours of operation vary season to season, week to week and day to day.  Generally, an athletic trainer will be on-site 1 hour before the start of each practice (2 hours before each game) and will remain available for at least ½ hour after the conclusion of the practice / game.  Appointments for rehabilitation will be scheduled most mornings.  Operating hours will be posted weekly.  

Office of Athletic Training Program Goals

The Office of Athletic Training delivers athletic training and sports medicine services to the student-athletes and dance majors of Georgian Court University.  The health and welfare of the student-athlete / performer, is always regarded as the highest priority in all aspects of services provided.   These services include:

• Injury Prevention and Risk Management
• Recognition, Evaluation and Assessment of Injuries and Illnesses
• Immediate Care of Injuries and Illnesses
• Treatment, Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
• Health Care Organization and Administration

Emergency Procedures

The athletic department has an emergency action plan that will be activated in the event of serious illness or injury. The emergency action plan outlines the actions of the emergency response team which includes coaches, instructors, athletic trainers, physicians, nurses, security personnel, and others. When appropriate, EMS can be contacted by dialing 9-1-1. Whenver 9-1-1 is called, campus security should also be notified (ext. 2611). Below are some other phone numbers you may find useful. Please also note that there are currently 4 AED units on the GCU campus.  One is mounted for public accessibility in the main lobby of the Wellness Center.  The others are portiable units held by: Athletic Training, Health Services, and Security.

Phone Numbers

The Student-Athlete Medical Team

The GCU athletic training staff isthe keystone member of the Student-Athlete Medical Team which is made up of multi-disciplinary health care professionals who provide medical care to GCU athletes and dancers.  The team is lead by Team Physician, Dr. Stephen Rice, M.D.  Dr. Rice is a board certified pediatric sports medicine physician and the director of Jersey Shore Sports Medicine Center in Neptune, NJ.  Dr. Rice oversees a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship and annually trains two physicians through this program.  The fellows for the 2008-2009 academic year are Dr. Ruchi Mehta, M.D. and Dr. Jim Petrucci, D.O.  The sports medicine fellows cover most home events and regularly visit the GCU campus to examine athletes / dancers and keep in touch with the athletic training staff. 

Georgian Court athletic trainers work under the supervision of the team physician guided by standing orders.  The athletic trainers, team physician, and fellows interact regularly either in person or via phone/email/fax so as to provide the best care to GCU athletes and dancers.  This ongoing communication will guide decisions regarding treatment and return to play / performancy decissions.  The team physician always has final say regarding participation, but athletic trainers often work in the absence of the physician and are the next persons in the chain of command to make return to play decisions which are always based on clinical experience, sound medical decision making, and communication between the student-athlete medical team, coaches / instructors, and athlete / dancer. 

In addition to the services provided by Dr. Rice and his fellowship program, the Office of Athletic Training has also established relationships with other providers to whom we may make referrals.  One such relationship that has been long-standing is with Dr’s Torpey, Foos, and Bade of Professional Orthopaedic Associates.  These doctors will be holding weekly orthopedic clinic hours on the GCU campus to evaluate and treat athletes and dancers.  When athletes are seen by providers who work with GCU athletics regularly, communication is streamlined which typically leads to improved quality of care.  Athletes and dancers are free to see any provider of their own choosing, but must always provide documentation of all medical care received before being return to play / participation.  The team physician has the ultimate authority to make final decisions regarding participation.

Quick Links

• Hours of Operation
• Emergency Numbers
• Policies 
• Visiting Team Information 
• Printable Forms
• Directions to Medical Centers 
• Important Dates 

Related Links

• CACC Athletics
• ECAC
• National Athletic Trainers' Association
• New Jersey Athletic Trainers' Society
• Woman's Health