The Story - In 1980, J. Pat Evans, MD (Team Physician, Dallas Cowboys) and Don Andrews (Executive Director, Mobile Sports
Medicine Systems) decided they would provide medical support
services to professional rodeos. This innovative new sports medicine system linked a network of selected orthopedists, trauma specialists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, as well as hospitals and clinics around the nation to provide comprehensive medical coverage to the professional rodeo contestant.
Some members of the Sports Medicine Team are pictured here at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho (left to right) Pepper Murray, MD, Don Andrews, Jason Roe, J. Pat Evans, MD, Devin Dice, Andy Hopkins
From the back of a pickup truck at 10 Professional Rodeo Cowboy
Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeos, approximately 775 contestants
were treated that first year. This past year the Sports Medicine Team provided service to over 140 PRCA rodeos and PBR events, while
treating some 6,000 rodeo and bull riding related injuries and illnesses.
The Sports Medicine Team brings everything they need to provide the
best possible medical care with them to the event. At indoor events,
sports medicine centers are set up in the buildings close to the arena floor. At outdoor rodeos, one of the uniquely designed mobile sports medicine centers are driven in and parked close to the arena.
Each mobile sports medicine center consists of a 40-foot trailer pulled
by a Dodge Dually pickup truck and carries all the equipment and
supplies common to medical facilities at the other major sports in this country. This includes specialized treatment tables,
modalities (electric stim units, compression systems, hot and cold therapeutic packs, etc.), communications, and educational devices such computers and television monitors and DVD/CD players.
Everything needed to provide the utmost in sports medicine services
to these dedicated and unique professional athletes comes with
the Sports Medicine Team to the event. The athletes know the value
of the program and even go so far as entering specific events that
host the sports medicine staff when they are injured and in need of
specialized medical treatment.
