NFL, PFEMS and CFEMS Equipment Managers Kick-Off Nation's First Director of Athletic Safety Program
This is the beginning of a professional credential that changes what it means to be responsible for an athlete's safety.”— Jerry D. Fife, M.Ed., COO and Co-Founder of ProTect AthleticsRALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES, July 31, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — ProTect Athletics, together with ProTrain College, has revealed that the first instructor-led cohort of the Director of Athletic Safety (DAS) credential is now underway. This virtual program serves as the launch of the country's first professional safety certification created specifically for the sports safety ecosystem.
This advanced training pathway, delivered via the ProTrain College platform, held its first cohort on July 13, 2026, and was led by Jerry D. Fife, M.Ed. The trailblazing initiative enrolled more than 40 members of NFL teams belonging to the Professional Football Equipment Managers Society (PFEMS), along with representatives from the College Football Equipment Managers Society (CFEMS).
"This is not a training seminar," stated Jerry D. Fife, M.Ed., COO and Co-Founder of ProTect Athletics. "PFEMS and NFL members are among the most prepared sports safety professionals in the world. The fact that they are our first cohort tells you everything about where this credential is going."
What is the Director of Athletic Safety (DAS)?
The DAS credential is a five-course professional certification track developed by ProTect Athletics and offered in collaboration with ProTrain College, a nationally recognized collegiate partner that provides CEU credits potentially transferable into academic courses.
The curriculum establishes a comprehensive "Safety Playbook" spanning five core courses:
● Course 1: Athletic Safety & Risk Management: Entry point establishing role accountability, risk frameworks, OSHA compliance, emergency response, and safety culture.
● Course 2: Anatomy & Physiology for the Sport Safety Professional: Eleven body systems across twelve modules focused on anatomical precision for incident reports and medical staff referrals.
● Course 3: Kinesiology, Biomechanics & Ergonomics for the Sport Safety Professional: Builds biomechanical intelligence to analyze movement forces, predict structure risks, and stop injury before it occurs.
● Course 4: Risk, Hazard, Job Safety & Root Cause Analysis: Advanced diagnostic skills covering Job Hazard Analysis, 5 Whys Root Cause Analysis, OSHA compliance, and defensible documentation.
● Course 5: Driving Effective Change in Sport Safety: Capstone course developing stakeholder communication, policy development, and regulatory engagement to drive lasting institutional change.
The DAS works directly alongside Certified Athletic Trainers. While Athletic Trainers concentrate on clinical treatment and medical response, the DAS functions as a systemic safety professional identifying root causes, protocol gaps, and environmental hazards. The credential is currently being mapped toward formal accreditation via the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Industry Impact and Validation
"ProTect Athletics and ProTrain share a commitment to the highest standards of professional education," noted Betty Lucas-Gardner, CEO/President, ProTrain. "Delivering the DAS credential to PFEMS and NFL members through our platform is a landmark moment for professional sport safety education in this country."
Mike Schroder, Provost for ProTrain College, added, "We are deeply committed to delivering credential programs that pair rigid professional standards with high-quality delivery. The DAS curriculum was engineered with the highest level of academic rigor to ensure these elite equipment managers are equipped with evidence-based safety protocols."
"Plain and simple, one saved workman’s comp case can offset the cost of a DAS professional's job and/or training," said Brendan Burger, Director of Equipment, Los Angeles Rams & President of PFEMS.
"It has always been wild to me that I am responsible for fitting the helmets of our hundred-million-dollar assets with no football-specific certification or credential verifying that I know what I'm doing. I think we are taking the first steps towards that recognizable credential through this class," stated Collin Peterson, Assistant Equipment Manager, Jacksonville Jaguars.
"The DAS is an excellent opportunity to separate myself from the rest of the department," added Richard Killian II, Assistant Equipment Manager for the New Orleans Saints. "The professors are very knowledgeable… and have a very fun and interactive way of getting the information through to everyone."
To learn more about custom training sequences or future cohort dates, visit protrain.edu or protectathletics.org.
About ProTect Athletics
ProTect Athletics (Athletic Safety Organization dba ProTect Athletics) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to athlete safety through professional education, credentialing, and systemic safety standards. ProTection Beyond the Game.
About ProTrain College
Nationally accredited through Middle States (MSA-CESS), ProTrain College offers quality educational services at affordable cost, in the classroom or online. ProTrain is about "Education to Employment" to assist the student population in gaining employment, or developing stackable skill sets to further their career.
Mike Schroder
ProTrain College
+1 760-525-5795
mikes@protrain.edu
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