2008 Soccer Industry Medical Symposium
Interest in third annual SIMS at all-time high, open spots still available

NEW YORK (December 21, 2007) -- The 2008 Soccer Industry Medical Symposium announced that registered attendance for the third annual event has reached an all-time high, yet a few open spots for new registrants are still available. The event in Ft. Lauderdale, FL takes place on Saturday, January 12th at the Sheraton Yankee Trader (more information is available at www.psats.net).

In related news and following the strategy implemented with the first opening of the FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence at the Schulthess clinic in Zurich in May 2005, the world governing body of football has decided to set-up further FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence across all continents to ensure that players have access to high quality football medicine. In a first phase, FIFA�s Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC) officially presented Dr Bert Mandelbaum, SIMS guest speaker and Director of the Santa Monica Orthopedic Group, with the official accreditation certificate. Dr. Mandelbaum will speak on cardiac emergencies and heart issues.

The 2008 Soccer Industry Medical Symposium curriculum remains focused on hip arthroscopy, cardiac emergencies and heart issues, concussion management and hydration/heat illness. Scheduled guest speakers represent leading professionals in their respective fields:

Introduction
Ivan Gazidis: Deputy Commissioner, Major League Soccer

Hip Arthroscopy
- Pathophysiology of Hip Injuries: Dr. Mike Gerhardt, Chivas USA Team Physician & Orthopeadic Surgeon
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Hip Injuries: Dr. Thomas Byrd, Tennessee Titans Team Physician and Physician for the U.S. Olympic Team
- Rehabilitation of the Injured Hip: Michael Voight, PT, Board of Directors of the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy

Cardiac Emergencies/Heart Issues
- Cardiac Screening: Dr. Christine Lawless, Director, Section of Preventive and Sports Cardiology, The Ohio State University
- US Soccer and FIFA Cardiac Screening: Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, MLS Assistant Medical Director, Pepperdine University Team Physician, U.S. Soccer Federation Team Physician, FIFA Medical Research and Assessment Center, Associate Member

Hydration & Nutrition
- Heat-Related Illness in the Elite Soccer Athlete: Dr. Eric Coris, Director of the Sports Medicine Institute & Head Medical Team Physician for the Department of Athletics at the University of South Florida
- Hydration in the Soccer Athlete: Beth Stover, Gatorade Sports Science Institute

Head Injuries
- Concussion Management: Ruben Echemendia, PhD, President-elect, National Academy of Neuropsychology
- Head Injuries: Mark Lovell, PhD, Founding Director, The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program

"We are excited to once again be involved in the Soccer Industry Medical Symposium. This event continues to be the premier event for medical information in the sport of soccer. The Professional Soccer Athletic Trainers' Society (PSATS) strives to provide our members and the medical community in general, with the latest advances in continuing education and SIMS is the perfect event for that. We are excited to share this event with athletic trainers, physical therapist, and doctors involved in the care of soccer athletes," said Theron Enns, ATC, Head Athletic Trainer with the Colorado Rapids and PSATS President. Additional information about event registration, corporate supporters, travel and transportation information and other details about the 2008 Soccer Industry Medical Seminar is available at www.psats.net.

About SIMS
The Soccer Industry Medical Symposium (SIMS) is an annual meeting organized by sports medicine professionals in Major League Soccer, United States Soccer Federation and its partners. Based upon the success of the 2007 event, the 2008 SIMS will make available one hundred (100) positions to qualified sports medicine professionals approved through the on-line registration available at www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/soccer/. Sports medicine professionals are approved to receive continuing education credits for this course through the University of South Florida. Details are offered on the SIMS and USF websites. For more information about SIMS, log onto the company's official website at www.psats.net.