Training Room The University of Memphis athletic training staff is secondto-none when it comes to ensuring that U of M student-athletes receive quality care in the areas of athletic injury rehabilitation and preventative care. A n d Ed Cantler Head Trainer now with the new renovation of Murphy Athletic Complex training facility, the Memphis student-athlete can be assured of receiving the best medical attention and rehabilitation available. The Murphy Athletic Complex training room is currently being redesigned and reconstructed with the $6 million renovation of south campus.
The new training facility, which more than doubles the size of the old training room, contains an in-ground aquatic rehabilitation pool which allows trainers to work on rehabilitating injuries without having the student-athlete to support his/or her own body weight. The new training room also contains new doctor examination rooms, storage areas, and the latest in rehabilitation equipment. The athletic training staff uses a comprehensive approach to the injury care and the wellness of student-athletes by utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipment with the latest methods in the care and prevention of injuries.
Head athletic trainer Eddie Cantler, who is in his 33rd year at The University of Memphis, supervises the Tigers’ sports medicine program. Cantler, who has served as the head trainer since 1980, is assisted by two full-time certified athletic trainers, two graduate assistants and 18 students trainers. Assistant athletic trainer Mike Rodrigues is in his first season working with the women’s basketball team and assisting with the football and spring sports programs. Rodrigues has served as an athletic trainer at Mississippi State, and Army and was the head trainer for the Memphis Maniax of the XFL. He has spent two years handling the training needs of Bartlett High School in Memphis, while working for Baptist Hospital’s Sports Medicine Clinic. The athletic training staff is surrounded by many qualified and generous team doctors who are available to the many student-athletes at the University of Memphis. Dr. Barney Freeman, Dr. Fred Azar, and Dr. Barry Phillips of The Campbell Clinic are directly responsible for the orthopedic needs of the Tiger football team, while Dr. Thomas Meriwether and Dr. Arthur Franklin serve as the team physicians. Dr. Allen Sills serves as the team’s neurosurgeon. Tiger athletes are fortunate to have the two largest privately owned hospital systems in the world located in Memphis. Baptist Hospital and
Methodist Hospital offer the finest in healthcare to area residents and handle the care of Memphis athletes. The athletic training staff is one support group that the athletic teams cannot do without. They are responsible for staffing all practices and games as well as handling the day-to-day rehabilitation of injured or post-surgery student-athletes. The goal of the sports medicine department is not only to care for injuries, but to assist the athletes in preventing the injuries from occurring.
Team Physicians
Dr. Barney Freeman Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Fred Azar Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Barry Phillips Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Tom Meriwether Team Physician
Dr. Arthur Franklin Team Physician
Dr. Allen Sills Neuro-surgeon