Scottsdale Unified School District Athletic Training Program

Our goal is to provide the highest-quality care to all five Scottsdale Unified School District high schools. We provide athletic trainers for each high school, semi-annual pre-participation physical exams for all student athletes, game coverage by HonorHealth Medical Staff providers for all varsity football games, physical therapy services, bump and bruise clinics, expedited referrals and scheduling for sports injuries and illnesses, and more. Our team-based approach provides student athletes an individualized care plan focused on what’s best for them, allowing for safe return to play as quickly as possible.

Program services

• Semi-annual pre-participation physical exams (sports physicals)
• Certified athletic trainers integrated into each high school and coverage for all high school home sporting events
• Coverage by HonorHealth Medical Staff providers for all varsity football games
• Educational seminars and training for coaches, parents, administrators and students
• Expedited referrals and scheduling, as needed
• Monday morning injury clinic hours for injured student athletes with HonorHealth Sports Medicine providers

Learn more

Meet the head athletic trainers

Nickie Edwards May, ATC, LAT – Lead athletic trainer for SUSD, head athletic trainer, Saguaro High School

Nickie has been a lead athletic trainer for Scottsdale Unified School District for more than 12 years. She is passionate about providing student athletes with consistent, gold-standard care. She is licensed by the Arizona Board of Athletic Training and is board-certified by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association. Nickie is dedicated to educating future Scottsdale Unified School 

District athletic trainers at all levels, precepting athletic trainer interns and guiding students in the after-school Athletic Training Assistant Program.

For questions, please email nedwards@susd.org.

Paul Wheeler, MS, AT/L, CES – Head athletic trainer, Chaparral High School

Paul is head athletic trainer for Scottsdale Unified School District and has worked for the district for more than 10 years. He is certified in athletic training and corrective exercise. Paul obtained a master’s degree in Research in Exercise Science and Health Promotion: Rehabilitation Sciences from California University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Scottsdale Unified School District team, he spent two years as an athletic trainer for a physical therapy and sports performance clinic.

For questions, please email pwheeler@susd.org.

Tessa Powell, MS, AT – Head athletic trainer, Coronado High School

Tessa has more than 11 years of experience in athletic training. She is nationally certified and licensed by the Arizona State Board of Athletic Training. Her favorite sports are football, basketball, soccer and hiking. When she’s not on the field, you can find her in the classroom teaching Coronado High School students about sports medicine and rehabilitation.

For questions, please email tpowell@susd.org.

Ann Stevens, MS, AT - Head athletic trainer, Arcadia High School

Ann has been an athletic trainer for more than 12 years. She has served as the head athletic trainer for Arcadia High School for more than eight years. Ann is also a clinical instructor for the Grand Canyon University Athletic Training Education Program and a clinical preceptor for the Northern Arizona University Master of Athletic Training Program. She is nationally certified and licensed by the Arizona State Board of Athletic Training. Her favorite sports are football, volleyball, softball, baseball and basketball.

For questions, please email astevens@susd.org.

Lisa Gore, MS ATC LAT - Head athletic trainer, Desert Mountain High School

Lisa has been an athletic trainer for over three years. She received her master's degree in athletic training from Northern Arizona University. During her time as a Graduate Student, Lisa worked as an intern with Nickie at Saguaro High School. Lisa is excited to be back in the district at Desert Mountain, working with athletes to make them the happiest and healthiest versions of themselves. She is nationally certified and licensed by the Arizona State Board of Athletic Training. As she continues to grow and nurture the athletic training program at Desert Mountain, Lisa is committed to providing the best care to athletes and families.

For questions, please email lgore@susd.org.

Sports physicals

Sports physicals, also known as the pre-participation physical evaluation, are offered exclusively to SUSD student athletes twice per year in the spring and summer. They are conducted by certified athletic trainers, physical therapists and licensed physicians associated with the HonorHealth Sports Medicine team.

There are several parts to our sports physicals to help determine if it is safe for you to participate in your sport or physical activity.

1. A review of your medical history
2. A physical exam
3. A musculoskeletal evaluation 

Scottsdale Unified School District students pay $25 for the physical (cash or check). All of the proceeds go directly back into the athletic training room at the student’s high school.

Contact us

Are you a parent or student at a Scottsdale Unified School District high school and looking for more information about this program? Please contact the head athletic trainer at your high school or Nickie Edwards, lead athletic trainer, at nedwards@susd.org.