National Athletic Training Month (NATM) is held every March to spread awareness about the vital work of athletic trainers. We saluted our athletic training staff: Kosie Shephard-Porada (head athletic trainer), Hailee Eckman, Ryan Chupak, Taylor Johns, Natalie Twisselman, and Angel Vendetti for their dedication to Saint Francis and our student-athletes.

We asked each athletic trainer four questions and posted each of their responses on social media during the last six days of March. Each of their answers are below:

Why did you become an athletic trainer?

Kosie: I was a gymnast most of my life and had many injuries that required physical therapy. 

Ryan: I became an athletic trainer because I was a former student-athlete in high school. I had an athletic trainer who taught me some of the basic tasks I could learn if I needed something. Another reason I became an athletic trainer was to be around athletics and the excitement it brings to people. Growing up, I played three sports (football, basketball, and baseball), and having some sports on the television or going to sporting events wanted me to stay around athletics in some sort of capacity.

Hailee: I've always been a big sports fan and interested in the medical field, so this was an excellent way to combine those things. My mom also studied sports medicine, so she'd go on YouTube and show me videos of famous sports injuries, such as those of Joe Theismann or Shaun Livingston. They were pretty cool, which initially piqued my interest.

Taylor: I became an athletic trainer so that I could help athletes through their injuries and return to play. Throughout my athletic career, I have used athletic trainers for various problems, and it inspired me to become one!

Natalie: I became an athletic trainer because I always knew I wanted to work one-on-one with athletes. This job gives me the privilege to be with my athletes every step of the way and form close bonds with my teams. 

Angel: I always knew I wanted to help people in the medical field and was involved in sports, so AT was the perfect combination.
 

What's the best part about working with student-athletes at Saint Francis?

Kosie: When a student-athlete has an injury, and they rehab back to the sport they love, knowing I am a big part of the recovery process.

Ryan: The best part of working with the student-athletes here at Saint Francis by getting to know other student-athletes from different teams alongside my current teams I provide coverage. This gets us to know the student-athletes and builds the trust within us to provide treatment if their athletic trainer is traveling with another team or out of the office.

Hailee: Working behind the scenes with these student-athletes is a unique privilege. I see first-hand how hard they work every day, the challenges they have to overcome, and sometimes play a significant role in keeping them healthy or returning them from injury. It makes watching their successes on and off the field much more rewarding.

Taylor: The best part of working at Saint Francis is the Sports Medicine Staff! We all work great together and are willing to help each other when someone needs it. 

Natalie: The best part about working with SFU athletes is seeing them return to play after long-term injuries. It is also easy to get to know athletes outside of my teams with how close-knit the athletic community is on campus.

Angel: They make you feel like family.
 

What is your favorite memory of working at an event or with student-athletes at Saint Francis?

Kosie: This past fall football season, we had the night game against Wagner, which had a sellout crowd. It was a great experience and atmosphere. 

Ryan: My favorite memory so far while working here is winning the regular season men's soccer title while going undefeated as well. Seeing a team work hard for the goal they set at the beginning of the season to accomplish and achieve that goal is a great feeling. But if I could have a memory, part of working with the student-athletes is when showing up to their games to show them support and then realizing it and coming over to thank me for showing up is another rewarding memory to have as an athletic trainer.

Hailee: Softball's fifth NEC title in a row and going to regionals at Virginia Tech in 2022.

Taylor: My favorite memory is traveling to Oregon with women's lacrosse for their first-ever Power 5 conference matchup!

Natalie: My favorite memory is traveling to Hawaii with the men's volleyball team and watching them play in one of the most iconic volleyball atmospheres. 

Angel: Traveling to different places with my teams, like California and Hawaii.

What advice would you give to someone looking into getting into athletic training?

Kosie: It takes a lot of dedication and time; you must love the profession.

Ryan: My advice would be to understand what the profession is about first by researching it and understanding what athletic trainers do daily. Sometimes, there are long days, and many things get thrown at you but how are you willing to adjust and think on the spot in a moments-notice. Plus, you must be willing to enjoy what you do as an athletic trainer and find the right workplace/staff that can help you to grow in the profession and get along with every day. The last piece of advice is to network with other athletic trainers when deciding to go into this profession for schooling and when you are working your way to being certified. Many of us know other athletic trainers based on internships and/or classmates we graduated with to keep in touch with one another and possibly help with applying for/getting a job.

Hailee: I recommend taking the time to look at all the different work settings available to athletic trainers. The field has grown significantly over the years, and there are more opportunities outside of traditional sports settings, such as performing arts, industrial, clinical (one of my best friends assists in surgery!), and military. Take the time to find the settings that best suit your needs and interests.

Taylor: Observe!! Seeing everything an athletic trainer does in a day can be really eye-opening. You can always ask an athletic trainer if you can observe!! For graduate school, you're required to get observation hours, so this can also help you be ahead of the game!

Natalie: My advice to someone looking to pursue athletic training is to establish what kind of AT you want to be and stand your ground for the things you believe in and want for yourself. It is easy to get pushed around in this profession if you do not set and stick to your own boundaries. A good work-life balance is critical to staying happy and motivated. 

Angel: Keep working hard, don't be afraid to ask for help, never stop learning.