GVSU recognizes March as Athletic Training Month

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Andrew Stoll, a junior at Grand Valley State University, has found the perfect career. It combines his passion for helping others and his love for sports: athletic training.

Stoll is now completing a clinical assignment at Forest Hills Northern High School, helping the school’s athletic trainer, Eliza MacDonald. Together they provide health coverage for sports ranging from competitive cheer to wrestling to bowling to baseball. He is one of 45 Grand Valley students currently gaining experience at high schools, colleges or sports medicine clinics in the area.

At the start of spring sports seasons, Stoll said young athletes have a slightly higher risk of injury, as their bodies are adjusting to new activities and stresses.

MacDonald is a graduate of Grand Valley’s athletic training program. She works for the Center for Physical Rehabilitation, which does outreach to area high schools. MacDonald has used students from Grand Valley for the past two years.

“Their responsibilities include injury prevention, injury evaluation, treatment of injuries, first aid management, communication with athletes about treatment progression, and distribution of water,” she said. “They are here every day for practice and home event coverage.”

March is Athletic Training Month. Brian Hatzel, associate professor and chair of Grand Valley’s Movement Science Department, said the number of students majoring in athletic training has increased over the past several years. There are now 180 students enrolled in the bachelor’s level program.

Stoll, from Tawas City, said he grew interested in the profession as a high school athlete. “I faced a few injuries and I found it very interesting to observe the procedures used in the evaluation, assessment and treatment of my injuries,” he said.

He added that volunteer work through high school and his church also influenced his career decision. “I was able to see the benefits of helping and serving others and wanted to continue to do that,” Stoll said.

Stoll will graduate next year and, after taking the board certification exam, plans to enroll in graduate school.