MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State Athletics has received the single largest donation in the program's 27-year history as longtime partner OrthoAtlanta Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Specialists has agreed to contribute $60,000 towards the renovation of the athletic training room as announced by both organizations on Wednesday, September 7.
 
"The athletic training room impacts every single one of our student-athletes," said Tim Duncan, Director of Athletics. "We have had a long and successful partnership with OrthoAtlanta, which extends back over 25 years when Dr. Joseph S. Wilkes became the first team doctor. Their generous gift allows us to provide a larger space in which to provide better care for our student-athletes. This tremendous gift is a great way to take this partnership to the next level and will, most importantly, support our student-athletes."
 
The agreement, which will run for five years following the completion of the new facility, will further strengthen a partnership that has existed since 1990. One of the principle components will be the naming rights of the facility, set to be the OrthoAtlanta Sports Medicine Facility upon its completion.
 
Additionally, OrthoAtlanta will be the Official Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Provider for Clayton State Athletics and Preferred Orthopedic Provider for Clayton State University. They will also have a significant presence on www.ClaytonStateSports.com, at Laker home games and on the live and archived broadcasts of men's and women's soccer and basketball games.
 
Not only will this record donation benefit Clayton State's more than 130 student-athletes, but it will also benefit the community as the Lakers will donate 100 tickets to home soccer and basketball games in OrthoAtlanta's name to local youth and community groups.
 
"OrthoAtlanta focuses on helping athletes stay in their sport and return after injury safely and as soon as possible," stated Timothy N. Ghattas, M.D. and Clayton State Team Physician. "The new OrthoAtlanta Sports Medicine Facility at Clayton State University will greatly enhance these efforts to serve their students and student-athletes."
 
In 2015-16, Dr. Ghattas took over as Clayton State Team Physician from Dr. Joe Wilkes, who had served in that role since the program's inception and was inducted into the program's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
 
"OrthoAtlanta has observed first-hand the tremendous growth of the Clayton State Athletics Department, currently serving 12 team sports, and its need for an athletic training room with more space and equipment," cited OrthoAtlanta's Joseph S. Wilkes, M.D. "We are pleased to assist Clayton State University Athletics achieve their goal to expand and improve the athletic training room."
 
The current athletic training room affects every single student-athlete and impacts their access to and level of injury treatment and rehabilitation. It has been in its current configuration since Athletics began in 1990-91 with men's basketball.
 
This donation, which surpasses the previous high of $25,000 by Heritage Bank in 2002, will double the space of the current facility, provide an expanded treatment and rehabilitation area and house a dedicated wet room. Completion of the project is expected to take between 6-to-12 months.
 
"We are gratified by the support of OrthoAtlanta, which serves as a continuing testimony of the power of partnerships," said Dr. Tim Hynes, Clayton State University President. "This collaborative effort supports the well-being of our student athletes, as well as reinforcing an on-going relationship with the professionals of OrthoAtlanta."
 
Clayton State Athletics and OrthoAtlanta formalized the partnership on Wednesday, September 7 in conjunction with the women's soccer home opener against Valdosta State. Prior to the game, a reception was held for members of both organizations in the lobby of The Loch followed by a check presentation at Laker Field directly before the Lakers opener.
 
ABOUT CLAYTON STATE ATHLETICS
Founded in September of 1989, Clayton State Athletics has a rich 27-year history that has seen Laker student-athletes produce an incredible 60 NCAA Tournament Appearances, 11 Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championships, 14 PBC Tournament Titles and 72 All-Americans, all with just 12 sports. Highlighting these performances is the 2010-11 women's basketball program, which claimed the first NCAA Division II National Championship in program history, doing so with a commanding 69-50 victory over Michigan Tech on March 25, 2011 in St. Joseph, Mo.
 
ABOUT ORTHOATLANTA
OrthoAtlanta is one of the largest orthopedic and sports medicine practices in the greater Atlanta area and offers comprehensive operative and non-operative musculoskeletal care and expertise including sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, hip replacement, knee replacement, neck and spine surgery, elbow and shoulder surgery, ankle and foot surgery, pain management, general orthopedics, work related injuries and acute orthopedic urgent care. OrthoAtlanta services include on-site physical therapy, five (5) MRI Imaging Centers and two AAAHC Ambulatory Surgery Centers in Fayetteville and Austell. The OrthoAtlanta Stockbridge office is located in the Physicians Building at the corner of Eagles Landing Parkway and Rock Quarry Road, near Piedmont Henry Hospital. For more information please visit www.OrthoAtlanta.com.