More Than a Job – University of Nebraska

Making the most of an opportunity

When I graduated from Coe College in 2011, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. My ultimate goal was to be an athletic trainer for a Division I wrestling program.

This was easier said than done.

At the time, there were around 76 DI wrestling programs in the country. Of those 76 programs, only eight or nine had graduate assistants on staff.

Worse yet, there were only two schools that had openings for graduate assistants.

Needless to say, the odds were not in my favor. 

Wrestling is where my heart has always been, and I knew if I could just get an interview, I could show them how much passion and knowledge I have for the sport and win them over.

The most difficult part would be landing an interview, especially for only two schools.

One of those two schools happened to be Nebraska. With a little bit of luck, and fate intervening, Nebraska called me in for an interview.

They offered me a graduate assistantship for the wrestling program in 2011, and I spent two years serving in that role.

In 2013, they offered me a full-time assistant athletic trainer position, which I was over the moon about and graciously accepted.

I’ve been working with the wrestlers at Nebraska for the past 12 years and have loved every second of it. Sometimes I have to pinch myself as I’ve gotten the chance to work with some of the best wrestlers in the country — and world — at such a prestigious program like Nebraska, but I was given an opportunity and made the most of it.