USU trying to stay cool

LOGAN — Utah State head trainer Dale Mildenberger is quick to point out the sun does not discriminate.

When it's hot of one is hot for all.

At a time when temperatures have reached 100+ degrees on the football practice field, he is ever aware of the dangers that can come from the heat.

"The public attention on heat has really focused the last couple of years because of the deaths at Northwestern (University) and the (Minnesota) Vikings," Mildenberger said. "It made people more aware of exertion heat illness. It's certainly nothing new."

Recently, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson was taken off the practice field and treated for heat exhaustion.

"I've been here 30 years and I can't remember being this hot for this long every day," Mildenberger said.

The Cache Valley has been abnormally hot — between 90 and 99 degrees — the last two weeks, and Mildenberger and his staff have taken added precautions to properly train and help athletes — regardless of the sport — combat the heat.

He also encourages parents of Little League football players and coaches to pay particular attention to the heat. Most youth teams practice between 4 p.m. — 6 p.m. when it's generally the hottest part of the day.

At Utah State, water and sport drink is available on demand — athletes don't have to wait for a break to get a drink. Mildenberger and his staff are constantly monitoring the temperature and humidity with a hand-held digital device.

"In the middle of practice it's not uncommon for me to go to coach (Mick) Dennehy and tell him where we're at," he said. "We modify our things according to what we're seeing."

But Mildenberger said dealing with the heat is more than just hydration. Along with hydration comes the need for proper diet and rest.

They roll at training table to make sure the athletes are getting proper nourishment. The athletes are told to avoid carbonation, caffeine, sugar, fat and other foods that are hard to digest.

"We harp on these thing to get people prepared to compete in extreme temperatures," Mildenberger said.

After practice some Aggie football players cool off in tubs of water or the steeplechase pool on the track. Others go to a nearby river to cool down.

"I don't believe people are aware of how hot it is," Mildenberger said. "When they're exerting at the level our athletes are, it's a concern for our staff, coaches and athletes."

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