Del Rio neighbor Randi Baptiste has turned his knowledge of Sports Science, Biomechanics, and Podiatric Medicine into a powerful force for good in our community by founding a nonprofit dedicated to serving local youth. Through a unique blend of sports science education and hands-on guidance, Randi’s organization, Central Valley Academy of Sports Science CVASS teaches young athletes how their bodies work, how to protect themselves from injury, and how to stay safe while competing. By equipping them with knowledge and a voice in their own training and care, he empowers these students to advocate for themselves—on and off the field—laying the groundwork for greater success, confidence, and longevity in the sports they love.

The impetus for the idea came when Baptiste’s wife, Natalie Slowik, MD, Pulmonologist and Interim Chief of Staff at Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, came home to share with Randi that she and the staff had seen an increasing number of injured young athletes. Then went on to urge that Randi do something about it.   Wait What?

I love how this dynamic triggered a resource so impactful in benefiting young people and the direction of their possible athletic careers. But when two people with backgrounds and knowledge that reveal a clear vision of a problem and its solutions work together, the momentum they create is fast-moving and critical. It’s not one of those at-home conversations like, “Honey, did you pay the gardener?” “Yes, dear, of course.” It's a question addressed to a spouse, with a sonic boom at the end.

 

Randi Baptiste is a teacher in the Career Technical Education (CTE) Department at Gregory High School. The program places students in Health Science specialized training courses that engage students in terminology, anatomy, clinical shadowing, and some certifications. Randi has seen firsthand just what Natalie was referring to. He and his students had been seeing other students who came with questions and for help with sports-related ACL injuries, injuries involving acceleration, and deceleration, among others. Fortunately, there are ways to enhance the avoidance of such injuries, and these, as well as other athletes, need to know them.

The idea for educating young athletes not engaged in the CTE program developed into the Central Valley Academy of Sports Science CVASS with the caveat being that not all athletes have the resources for this type of educational insight, so the non-profit was formed to allow for every athlete to pursue excellence in their sport. Keeping athletes healthy and safe through guidance on sports science solutions, including injury prevention strategies, data-driven performance insights, coaching, tailored training, evaluation, and hands-on workshops and clinics, is the mission of the CVASS team of experts. Longevity and improved performance in their sport can be achieved through 

this type of education. Athletes experience a paradigm shift when empowered by knowledge of this kind, advocating for themselves and their futures in sport and other future endeavors. 

Randi Baptiste and his wife, Natalie Slowik, have lived in Del Rio for ten years. They have three children, Sebastian (13), and twins Isabella and Tristan (11).

https://cvass.org  See what CVASS has to offer your young athlete, or donate to help young athletes play better, longer, and safer.