Even though it's hot enough to turn a giant Hershey's bar into a mug of hot chocolate in minutes, with the start of a new school year, the thoughts of many turn to football.While student athletes hit the practice fields, area coaches must temper excitement for a new season with precautions for keeping kids safe in the heat. Athletic trainers from North Mississippi Medical Center Sports Medicine Program will be a major presence at nine area hospitals and Itawamba Community College.This is the 31st school year full-time certified athletic trainers with the NMMC Sports Medicine Program will be on-hand at schools and sporting events to ensure student athletes remain as injury free as possible.Walt Wilkins, manager of the NMMC Sports Medicine Program, said there are 12 certified athletic trainers working when the program is fully staffed. The program does many things to make young student athletes safer, but this time of year, the focus is almost entirely on beating the heat.The most important things to do to protect athletes during extreme heat situations is to make sure they stay hydrated and take a look at a modified practice schedule, Wilkins said.Not only should coaches be aware of the temperature before and during practices, but they should also be aware of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which measures heat stress conditions.There are great parameters used, Wilkins said. The Mississippi High School Activities Association mandates the use of wet bulb globe temperature readings to help determine how safe outdoor practice is at certain times. It also helps give guidelines to when its safe to practice in full football gear."To see a list of MHSAA guidelines for activity and rest breaks, visit www.misshsaa.com.As trainers, we assess for heat exhaustion and make sure there is a cold tub available, Wilkins said. At Tupelo High School and at ICC, there are two trainers on campus almost every day.The trainers are at their specified school for all varsity sports and some junior high football games. And they attend home and away football games.Regarding sports injuries, trainers set up emergency action plans and perform initial assessments when injuries occur.In assessing an injury, we try to determine if its a strain or a sprain, Wilkins said. We sometimes are able to treat a minor injury, but others we instead refer to a physician.The NMMC Sports Medicine Program offers a free Saturday morning injury clinic for area varsity athletes who are injured in Friday night games during football season. The clinic is at 1211 South Gloster and injured players should register between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m.The 12-week clinic is from Aug. 22 to Nov. 7.Injured players receive free x-rays and see an orthopedist before receiving treatment plans to further their recovery.This helps give the parents and the athletes peace of mind in planning for the future, and it is also beneficial for the coaches in planning for the next weeks game," Wilkins said.NMMC Sports Medicine Program also:* Provides CPR certification training for students and coaches* Provides annual free pre-participation physicals for area high schools, held at the Furniture Market* Hosts educational clinics on injury prevention* Offers lectures and health classes to various organizations and career fairs* Helps with Area II Special OlympicsSince I started as a trainer with the Sports Medicine Program 30 years ago, Ive seen a lot of change, Wilkins said. I know I am biased, but I believe the NMMC Sports Medicine Program provides a huge service to the community."