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33 Saturday of game day and again Sunday morning to get a clear view of the extent of the injuries. e athletic trainers and primary care physicians meet Sunday and set a plan in motion. e players have Monday off, but it is the most important day for rehabilitation. On Tuesday morning, Amendola meets with Ferentz, strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle, athletic trainers, and physicians. "We communicate all injuries, new and old, their status and expectations for the week," Amendola said. "Coach Ferentz likes to have that information and by Tuesday morning he knows what his roster will be for the week." If injury information is shared externally, it always comes from Ferentz. "We don't communicate with the media. e only person that communicates is the head coach so there is no misinterpretation of information," Amendola said. Across the country there is a diversity of opinions on how to manage the same injury. For Amendola, that is what makes his job exciting. "It takes a lot more interest, enthusiasm, and attention by the medical team to get somebody back a week or two earlier than what everyone else expects," Amendola said. "ere is a risk- reward type of relationship: you aren't going to do anything to jeopardize the ultimate health of the athlete, but if you provide that optimistic environment for the athlete, they are motivated to do it, the medical team is eager to do it, we have the same goals of trying to get people back. When you achieve the goal, it is a great reward." e Distinguished Service Award is a cherry on top for Amendola. "When you love what you do, you just do it because you enjoy doing it, even more so when working with all the people involved in the program," Amendola said. "As a medical staff, we can all say that our job is made a lot easier in working with the administration and coaches at the University of Iowa — not just football, but all the coaches — it's a great group of people."