CWS 2024: How Creighton University helps all 8 teams stay healthy

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Players are preparing for The Greatest Show on Dirt.

But behind the scenes, another team is gearing up to keep these players healthy.

“Whatever we need we help them out,” said Curtis Self with Creighton University.

Each team brings along its own athletic trainers, but when they might need a pinch hitter, Creighton University staff and students are at the plate.

“When you come in as a medical staff and you come into a new city you don’t know medical facilities,” Curtis Self said. “You don’t know what pharmacy to go to, so we coordinate that type of stuff as well.”

Self oversees Creighton’s 55-person medical team. His job has changed quite a bit over the past two decades as care continues to improve and evolve for athletes. For example, UNC has a service dog, so he brought in a veterinarian.

“I got a call yesterday that Remi, the service dog for North Carolina, needed something, so we coordinated that,” Self said.

Some on the team have more experience than others, but he says this is a great way to learn.

“Exposure to a variety of different professions that they could potentially look to get into,” said Self.

Creighton physical therapy resident Jaclyn Taylor is getting that hands-on experience.

“If any of the teams need anything, we’ll bring them back here and we can assist their athletics trainers with whatever they need. So we have treatment tables, a spin bike, a cold tub and of course making sure everyone stays hydrated during the hot week as well,” she said.

This is her first College World Series.

“Seeing high level athletics and the inter-professional nature at the highest level is really unique.”

For the next two weeks she can put her training to the test.

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