#ATShoutout: Endicott Athletic Training Alums Shine Upon Graduation

#ATShoutout: Endicott Athletic Training Alums Shine Upon Graduation

NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH RELEASE | ENDICOTT'S CAATE ACCREDITED ATHLETIC TRAINING EDUCATION PROGRAM

BEVERLY, Mass. – With National Athletic Training Month winding down, the Endicott Athletics and Recreation Department would like to give one last #ATShoutout to the CAATE accredited athletic training education program at the College via a feature story on a handful of alums who have made an impact outside of The Nest.

Steven R. Enos Jr. '01Miguel Gonzalez '12Allison Noyes '14, and Aubrey Reardon '15 have all carved their own path upon graduation in the world of athletic training and beyond. Gonzalez and Noyes are currently athletic trainers at Wentworth Institute of Technology, while Enos is an account manager with Medtronic's Interventional Lung Division, and Reardon is currently studying in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at UMass Lowell, where she also serves as the club sports athletic trainer.

All four of these graduates were quick to point out that Endicott's structure both in the classroom and in the clinical field of study were major factors in their postgraduate success.

Noyes had this to say about her time as a student-athlete and athletic training student at Endicott.

"The Endicott community is unparalleled. The resources we had available to us as athletic training students and student-athletes were incredible and really helped students and student-athletes succeed. The support of the community for all athletes is something special that you don't find at all Division III institutions," said Noyes. "When I first left Endicott to start my career, it was shocking to me that not all Division III athletic programs were run like Endicott and not everyone had had the incredible experience as I did. I have been to a lot of campuses over the years and I haven't found a community quite like the Endicott community anywhere I have been."

Meanwhile, Gonzalez felt a similar way about his time at Endicott and how it prepared him upon leaving the beautiful oceanside campus located in Beverly, Mass.

"It really gave me the experience of every setting, opened a wide array of people that I could go to for help or recommendations and really helped make dealing with high-stress situations much easier," said Gonzalez. "Going through the difficult classes at Endicott, I didn't realize how much I actually knew until I was out in a real life situation and I had everything under control. I still go back and think back to my experiences at Endicott to help me problem solve and deal with everyday activities of being an athletic trainer."

As for Reardon, her path to Endicott was different than Enos, Gonzalez, and Noyes but the results were identical.

"I transferred to Endicott after spending my freshmen year at a very large university. The tight-knit community at Endicott allowed me opportunities in the athletics department that I would have never had if I had stayed where I was," said Reardon. "The Athletic Training department provided me with a great deal of hands-on experience, allowing me to work one-on-one with student-athletes and perform the skills I was learning in class. Being able to have these experiences helped me to confirm my decision to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. During my clinical experiences in grad school, I feel that the hands-on experience Endicott provided me with has given me a leg up and my clinical instructors have praised me on my patient interactions and handling skills."


FROM AN ATHLETIC TRAINING CAREER TO MORE

Much like Reardon – who may go on to pursue a career as a physical therapist after finishing up her degree in the field at UMass Lowell – Enos has transitioned from a career in athletic training to a job in the healthcare field, specifically focused on lung cancer.

"My clinical time at Endicott through the athletic training program as well as internship fostered my interest in the clinical aspect of my work," said Enos. "To this day, I have a deep drive to know the why's and how's behind the products my customers use. I want to be looked at as a resource and not just a salesperson."

Enos further elaborated on how Endicott's Athletic Training program has allowed him to pivot, grow and advance in the medical services field.

"Currently my job can take me into a management or educational role within my division. My division is one of the smallest at Medtronic and the opportunities to jump to a different division are bountiful. Medtronic wants to keep quality employees and foster their personal/professional goals," said Enos. "I hope to be part of the educational department someday working in the upstream branch of our team with the research and development group. Endicott and the Athletic Training curriculum have given me the tools to be a successful professional, not only in athletic training but in all the fields that I have interest in."

Despite serving in a different role at Medtronic, Enos still feels a strong connection to the field of athletic training and to the roots that have helped him achieve his current position. "I have kept my AT certification since graduating. I know how hard I worked to get those letters at the end of my name and it is always something I could go back to as long as I keep my skills sharp."


ALWAYS CARING, ALWAYS LEARNING, ALWAYS REWARDING, ALWAYS DEMANDING

There's no doubt athletic trainers care, it's inherent to the profession. However, that shouldn't be lost on those who benefit from athletic training professionals who are always learning to make themselves and, more importantly, others around them better. This "professional ecosystem" also fosters an environment high reward which is not lost on those in the field despite the high demands of the job.

"Currently I have evaluation and treatment hours for club sports student-athletes two times a week for two hours. I work games mainly on Saturday's and occasionally on Sunday's. It has been very rewarding to be able to use a new treatment technique I have learned about on a student-athlete and watch them make little improvements and be able to return back to their sport," said Reardon. "I had one student-athlete recently stop by my office hours just to thank me for all I do for him and his teammates. He told me that he didn't think he was going to be able to play in his last college hockey game because of his injury but thanks to the exercises and treatment I provided him with, he was. There is no greater reward than the gratitude of an athlete or patient."

Noyes also discussed the rewarding aspects of the profession.

"The hours are long like they are for any athletic trainer, but I absolutely love what I do on a daily basis and wouldn't change it for anything. It's so rewarding know that I play a small part in my student-athletes' successes on the field/court/ice," said Noyes. "I work with a unique group of student-athletes at Wentworth. No two days are ever the same and I thrive off of having a new challenge each day. The relationships I have with student-athletes are incredible and I love being able to see how these athletes have succeeded in so many different areas."

Noyes continued.

"Wentworth's athletic program has grown so much in the year and a half I have been there; I'm excited to be a part of a department that wants to get better and wants to give its student-athletes the best chances at succeeding athletically and academically. I am always amazed by what my student-athletes are able to accomplish in the classroom; I admire their work ethic and how many sacrifices they make to compete as student-athletes as well. Watching student-athletes come back from injuries and knowing how much extra work they have put in always makes me smile. The long hours I put in each week and the sacrifices I make to give my student-athletes the best care I can all pays off when a student-athlete is back on the field competing."

Gonzalez, who works with Noyes at Wentworth, also chimed in.

"The demand of being an athletic trainer at the collegiate level is high. Although the demand is high, the reward level is also quite high. Seeing my student-athletes rehab from injuries and succeeding at the highest levels and winning awards is very satisfying, and I wouldn't trade that feeling for the world," said Gonzalez.


ENDICOTT'S CAATE ACCREDITED ATHLETIC TRAINING EDUCATION PROGRAM

Program Overview | Faculty | Athletic Training Staff

Prepare for a career in the athletic training profession through the athletic training major at Endicott.

The athletic training program explores five key areas:

  • Injury/illness prevention and wellness protection
  • Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
  • Immediate and emergency care
  • Treatment and rehabilitation
  • Organization and professional health and wellbeing

You'll gain practical hands-on experience and a strong foundation in the discipline through an intensive educational curriculum containing the necessary competencies and proficiencies established by the National Athletic Training Association (NATA) Education Council.

For more information on the Endicott CAATE Accredited Athletic Training Education Program please contact Dean Swanton at dswanton@endicott.edu and/or 978-232-2433.