Athletic Training Alumni
Here you'll find some of our graduates with their current employment, to give you a good idea for where our students go.
Megan Pilcher, Class of 2007
Assistant Athletic Trainer, Simpson College
Hometown: Clarence, Iowa
The Loras Athletic Training Education Program prepared me to be the best entry-level Athletic Trainer possible. Through the classes and field experience, I feel the education I received was excellent. I really enjoyed my experiences through the different sport rotations I was assigned to. It was very overwhelming at first due to the demanding class schedule and practice. But once I learned to manage my time it got much easier. I also got to work different ACI’s with the different sport rotation, which I really enjoyed. The ACI’s challenged and pushed me beyond my comfort zone to become better with my skills. Once you become confident and comfortable with your skills, you can do anything.
During my education at Loras I also had the opportunity to travel with various sports. I really enjoyed traveling as it gave me a chance to see other settings and get more hands-on experience. Many times I traveled alone with the team or with another student, as the Certified was not always able to go. The information learned in the classroom was transferred to the real world setting and I got to apply what I learned.
If you are interested in sports medicine and enjoy being around sports, then I would suggest this major for you. You would also enjoy this career if you get satisfaction from helping people. For me, it is very rewarding to see my athletes return to the field/court after an injury and be able to play. Athletic Training is a tough major and not everyone is cut out for this career, but I will tell you that it’s worth it in the end.
Anne Grabowski, Class of 2010
Respiratory Therapist, Duke University Hospitals
Hometown:
If there's anything that the AT program taught me, it was perseverance. Athletic trainers get a lot of grief going through undergrad because we put in so many hours not only into our studies, but also for our clinical. But when you truly have a passion for something, you don't even think twice about it. Because of the amazing educators and clinicians, my passion for athletic training grew stronger throughout the program.
After Loras, I started working for AthletiCo has an as-needed certified athletic trainer. Venturing on to get my Master's was a personal choice for me. I had never heard of respiratory care before. Picking a profession that people don't really know about can be a challenge, but I was up for it. I chose Rush University because the day I interviewed for the program, I recognized that same passion my educators and clinicians at Loras had in my director when he spoke about respiratory care. I knew as long I put in the effort, it would be a worthwhile ride.
I have the privilege to do a 4-week advanced neonatal/pediatric rotation at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina from May 7th- June 1st. Going to Duke has been a dream of mine since 7th grade when my Aunt went there for her Master's, and my best friend started my NCAA basketball addiction.
Amy Kane, Class of 2007
Registered Nurse, Genesis Health System, Davenport, IA
Hometown: Orland Park, IL
After Loras, I attended Saint Mary's College (South Bend, IN) for a 13-month accelerated nursing program. It was a bridge program for students who already have a bachelor's degree and wish to obtain a second bachelor's degree in nursing. I started the program a week after graduating from Loras College with my BA in Athletic Training and finished my BSN by August of the following year.
The Loras athletic training program made a big difference in being prepared for nursing school. I already knew how to do a full body assessment, take vital signs, recognize when something was just not right, and being able to critically think about situations and respond. Also, the intensity of the athletic training program with daily clinicals helped prepare me for the intensity of nursing school and nursing clinicals. I am able to relate to patients better in knowing this process. I have a strong background in orthopedics after spending four years at Loras, so I am able to identify better what anatomy is involved in the procedure we will be performing.
I found from my athletic training experience I was better able to manage time in nursing school. Juggling clinicals and course work was never a problem for me since I had been doing this for four years at Loras. The rigorous studying for the athletic training board of certification examination is similar to studying for the NCLEX, which is the examination for Registered Nurses. I felt more comfortable with the NCLEX since I had studied for a certification exam before.
Stephanie Begely, Class of 2005, Head Athletic Trainer, Metro State College of Denver
Adam Burke, Class of 2009, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Loras College
Samanatha Griffith, Class of 2011, Athletic Trainer, Manitu High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Ryan Jennings, Class of 2009, Fitness Instructor, Westside Fitness, Dubuque, Iowa
Tim Kelly, Class of 2010, Clinical Athletic Trainer, Texas Sport Rehab, Dallas Texas
Michala Lensing, Class of 2010, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Loras College
Jaime Mayer, Class of 2008, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
Mike McGown, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Washington Nationals
Terry Noonan, Class of 1978, Director of Athletic Training Services, University of Iowa
Haley Orman, Class of 2006, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Elizabeth Paunika, Class of 2008, Chiropractor, Decatur Back and Neck Center
Danielle Pillon, Class of 2010, Athletic Trainer, Doherty Therapuetics
Nick Rubel, Class of 2004, Personal Trainer, GH Personal Training, Glenview, Illinois
Tyler Sleeper, Class of 2009, Athletic Trainer, Witchita Falls USHL Hockey, Witchita Fall, Kansas
Allison Swift, Class of 2010, Athletic Trainer, Midwest Medical Center, Galena, Illinois