Four Athletic Training Students Receive a Combined Total of $23,500
Published May 4, 2026 by Eliza MacDonald
GVSU Master of Athletic Training Program has four scholarships for qualified GVSU Master of Athletic Training Students within the program. This year at the 28th Annual Graduation Dinner and Awards Ceremony honoring Doug & Linda Woods, Todd Jager, and Dan Chappell four students received a combined total of $23,500.
Athletic Training Award of Excellence Scholarship
Dan Chappell '85 Athletic Training Memorial Scholarship
Michael O. with Dr. Hatzel
Alison L. with Dr. Hatzel
Michael Olivero was awarded the Athletic Training Award of Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship was founded by Iota Tau Alpha, the GVSU Athletic Training Education Honor Society, in 2005. Over the years, the student members were able to raise enough funds that, in 2019, a new scholarship was established titled the Athletic Training Award of Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship's purpose is to support a student in the Master of Athletic Training Program who has excelled in the academic, clinical, and leadership aspects of the program and plans to pursue a career in athletic training.
Alison Luck was awarded the Dan Chappell '85 Athletic Training Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Dan Chappell, in 2020 the creation of the Dan Chappell '85 Athletic Training Memorial Scholarship was created to support athletic training students. Dan Chappell graduated from GVSU in 1985 with a teaching degree in physical education and athletic training. He was the head Athletic Trainer at East Kentwood High School for 35 years and was a vital Preceptor of the Grand Valley State University Athletic Training Program.
Doug and Linda Woods Excellence in Athletic Training Award
Todd Jager Memorial Graduate Athletic Training Award
Emma B.
Michael O. with Lorie Jager Lawerence
Emma Boonstra and Colin Hilgendorf (not pictured) were awarded the Doug and Linda Woods Excellence in Athletic Training Award. Doug and Linda Woods have served the students of Grand Valley State University for over thirty years. For the majority of the time, Doug provided health care to the student-athletes as the athletic department's Head Athletic Trainer. In 1976, Doug developed a curriculum for educating athletic training students. For eighteen years, Doug was the GVSU softball coach until his retirement in 2014. Linda has provided educational support to the students through her work as a reference librarian at the Zumberge Library. In 1996, a group of students created, in honor of Doug and Linda, the Doug and Linda Woods Excellence in Athletic Training Award. This award goes to athletic training student(s) in appreciation of their academic success and dedication to Grand Valley's athletic training program.
Michael Olivero was also awarded the Todd Jager Memorial Athletic Training Award. This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Todd Jager, Grand Valley's Head Athletic Trainer for 10 years; family and friends created the Todd Jager Memorial Graduate Athletic Training Student Award Endowment Fund. It was created in the spring of 2008 to assist graduate students pursuing a career in college athletic training. Todd spent his college and professional years in college athletics and recognized the significant dedication and determination involved to pursue this profession. It is fitting that Todd's battle with brain cancer required similar dedication and determination to continue to do what he loved, which was to provide medical care for college athletes. This scholarship will provide financial support to outstanding graduate students working as a graduate assistants in Grand Valley State University's Intercollegiate Athletic Department who demonstrate the values, character, and perseverance that Todd worked so hard to embody. The recipient will have a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training or a similar major and be pursuing an athletic training career in college athletics, with preference given to students with involvement in campus ministry.
To see past recipients, please visit our MAT Student Awards and Honors website.
To make a contribution or apply, please visit our Student Scholarship website.