After working countless games and practices in unpredictable Michigan weather, five athletic training students will work in a much nicer climate in January: Hawaii.
Along with Brian Hatzel, assistant professor of movement science, the students were selected to be part of the medical training team at the Hula Bowl, college football's All-Star game in Honolulu's Aloha Stadium.
"This is really great exposure for our athletic training education program," Hatzel said.
Hatzel said Grand Valley will fill six of the 18 spots (12 students, six certified athletic trainers) on the training team. This is the first time bowl officials requested applicants for the training staff; Hatzel said there were 71 national applicants.
Student Jennifer Vallely said she was thrilled when she learned she was accepted.
"It's great that everyone who applied from Grand Valley is going," she said. "It's also going to be a great resume builder."
Along with staffing Hula Bowl practices, the athletic training team will assist scouts during various NFL combine activities.
Matt Marry will be used to working at a high-pressure event. For the past two football seasons, Marry has worked as an athletic training intern for the Detroit Lions at home games and preseason camps.
"Everything is faster at that level," he said. "It high-intensity."
Hatzel said Grand Valley's athletic training program provides students with excellent clinical experiences. Annually, 12 students are placed with Laker teams and nearly 20 others are placed with Grand Rapids area high schools, clinics, colleges or professional teams; all undergraduate students are supervised by certified athletic trainers and rotate each semester to allow them a number of different experiences prior to graduation. Back row, from left are Brian Hatzel, Chris Tinkey and Matt Marry; front row from left are Christine Emelander, Cassandra Yax and Jennifer Vallely / Photo by Courtney Newbauer.
