North Putnam and Hendricks Regional Hospital join forces

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam School Corporation has not had a full-time athletic trainer for the past two years. But with help from Hendricks Regional Health, an undetermined representative will fill that hole. All it will cost is $10,000 per year over three years and some ad space here and there.

The Hendricks Regional Health representative has not been chosen yet. Richard Bagienski, in one of his first major acts since becoming athletic director in late May, will interview several candidates from the hospital and will select one to be approved by Superintendent Dr. Mary Sugg Lovejoy next Monday.

"(Bagienski) has been trying to build a partnership with Hendricks and he has done it," Lovejoy said.

The representative will be under a three-year contract that will cost $10,000 per year to the school. The school must also prominently display banners for Hendricks Regional Health at certain events such as football games, and sports announcers will be given a script that will mention Hendricks as an advertisement.

The price is very low, considering the last full-time athletic trainer at the school received a salary of $36,000 to $38,000, according to Dr. Lovejoy.

"It seems like a good deal for the school corporation," said board member Oliver Haste.

The board approved the draft of the contract during a special meeting on Friday barring a few changes. According to the current contract, the representative will perform daily practice checks Monday through Friday beginning at 3 p.m. and ending at the conclusion of all team practices beginning Aug. 1. Trainers would also attend all home events for all athletic seasons; all IHSAA-hosted, conference and county events and coverage of all away varsity football games, away varsity boys and girls basketball games and other away varsity events.

The representative will also educate staff members on CPR and AED training twice a year and will sponsor educational programs.