KEARNEY — Kearney Public Schools (KPS) proudly announces a renewed five-year partnership with Family Physical Therapy for Athletic Training Services and New West Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery for Sports Medicine Services.
This extended agreement ensures that student-athletes receive high-quality care, injury prevention, and rehabilitation services from certified athletic trainers.
This partnership was established following a public Request for Proposal (RFP) process, with Family Physical Therapy selected as the best fit to support the growing needs of KPS athletics. The agreement begins on June 1, 2025, and will remain in effect through May 31, 2030.
“It’s a great day to be a Bearcat! We are excited for this announcement and to continue working with Family Physical Therapy to provide exceptional athletic training services to our student-athletes,” stated Ryan Hogue, KHS AP/KPS Athletic Director. “Their expertise and commitment to student health and safety are invaluable to our sports programs. Family Physical Therapy has been a tremendous and loyal team member of our Athletic Department for many years. Gregg Dahlgren, President of Family PT, Brett Shipp, on-site Physical Therapist and the entire staff at Family Physical Therapy are Bearcats through and through and this new five year contract only solidifies their commitment to our athletes and Bearcat Athletics.”
Under the new agreement, Family Physical Therapy will provide:
• 1,600 hours of certified athletic trainer services annually at Kearney High School.
• Up to 350 athletic training hours per year at Horizon and Sunrise Middle Schools, including concussion baseline testing, injury evaluations, and event coverage.
• 160 hours of athletic training services each summer, concluding with the start of high school fall sports conditioning week.
• Development of a student aide program, allowing students to gain hands-on experience under the supervision of licensed athletic trainers.
Dahlgren, President of Family Physical Therapy, expressed enthusiasm about the renewed partnership: “Family Physical Therapy is honored to continue serving Kearney Public Schools. We value our relationship with the district and look forward to working with KPS coaches, staff, and student-athletes for years to come.”
In addition to athletic training services, Family Physical Therapy will offer physical therapy services to Kearney High School athletes, staff, and students. These services will be available on-site, with billing coordinated directly through Family Physical Therapy.
KPS has also expanded its existing sports medicine partnership with New West Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery (New West Sports Medicine). New West Sports Medicine will continue to support the KPS athletic training and sports medicine services by helping to supply the athletic training room with necessary supplies and equipment, including the SWAY concussion testing application, providing critical sideline coverage for all of the varsity home football games, and sending a fellowship-trained sports medicine doctor to Kearney High School during the week for athletic training room coverage.
“This is a momentous occasion for Kearney Public Schools, our student-athletes, and the entire KPS Athletic Department. It ensures that our student-athletes will continue to receive the highest level of care and expertise in sports medicine,” stated Ryan Hogue, KHS AP/KPS Athletic Director. “Our partnership with New West Sports Medicine, which has spanned over 25 years, began with Dr. Daniel Slawski, now retired, and has been carried forward by Dr. Nolan May, Dr. Heber Crockett, and the entire New West Sports Medicine team. Their unwavering support for the Bearcats is evident, and their commitment and generosity extend far beyond the training room. Programs such as the Kearney High School Baseball team would not have been possible without the support of New West Sports Medicine.”
Dr. Nolan May and Dr. Heber Crockett from New West Sports Medicine had this to say about the renewal: “We are thrilled to announce the continuation of our partnership with KPS to support the well-being and development of student-athletes. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing comprehensive care so every student-athlete has the support they need to excel both on and off the field. We look forward to continuing our work with everyone involved to create an environment where student-athletes can thrive and achieve their full potential.”
Family Physical Therapy and New West Sports Medicine will also receive static advertising opportunities, public service announcements at athletic events, social media promotions, and digital scoreboard advertising. The continued partnership underscores Kearney Public Schools’ commitment to student health, safety, and athletic excellence.
