The Overlake School is among just five schools in the state of Washington to be recognized by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association as a Safe Sports School.

This award recognizes schools across the country that take specific actions to keep their student athletes free from injury. These actions include promoting safe practice and competition facilities, providing injury interventions, creating emergency action plans and others.

The Overlake School has a full-time athletic trainer among its staff; one of just two schools in the Emerald Conference League that has that level of commitment. Kim Chase is not only at sports practices and games, but helps students throughout the day be game “ready.”

“I work with kids every day, which saves them from leaving school and going to the doctor’s office or physical therapy appointments,” explains Chase. “The student athletes know who I am and can talk to me almost any time. They know that I’m more than just the person with tape and ice.”

Besides having an athletic trainer on site, Overlake also has technology at its fingertips in helping keep kids safe. The school has external defibrilators in every building on campus, and new this year, mobile defibrilators that travel to each game off campus.

“Most schools are lucky if they have an AED in their building. We have eight that travel with our teams. It’s one device that we hope we never have to use, but, if needed, can save lives,” says Chase.

Overlake’s 1st Team Safe Sports School designation exists for a three-year period beginning in April.