HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Athletic Training staff recently wrapped up another busy school year of catering to the needs of Husky student-athletes. Each year the staff adds student help through the Michigan Tech and Portage Health Athletic Training Student Internship Program.

The interns work with certified athletic trainers (ATC), team physicians, physician assistants and physical therapists to provide general healthcare to all varsity athletic teams at Tech and learn skills and experience for their future careers as physical therapists, physicians, physician assistants and wellness coordinators.

Student interns have the opportunity to observe and be involved with all aspects of the sports medicine coverage provided by Portage Health Sports Medicine. They work on a daily basis under the supervision of a staff ATC. The interns may assist with taping, pre and post-practice treatments, therapeutic exercise programs, practice and event coverage, first aid and other team needs.

This year the interns finished the year by hosting the first-ever Huskies Athletic Training Clinic on April 19. Fourteen high school students got an inside look at the internship program and learned more about the athletic training profession.

Brian Brewster, the coordinator of sports medicine at the Portage Health Sport Medicine Institute, had a presentation on life as an athletic trainer. The group toured the Portage Health facilities and athletic training rooms.

Marie Mets, a student at Tech, talked about the Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology program at Michigan Tech, while interns gave a lecture on common injuries related to student-athletes, and demonstrated taping and stretching techniques. Alison Regal, the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Finlandia University, held a session on the importance of nutrition.

The clinic wrapped up with Tech's annual spring football game. Clinic participants were on the sidelines with water bottles and observed athletic trainers on the job.

Thomas Schmidt’s son attended the clinic and said, “He had an amazing time and couldn't talk enough about what a great day he had. On a scale on 1-10, for us, this rated a 12.”

Caleb Maki’s son was also a participant and added, “He really enjoyed the clinic especially the hands-on portion! He learned a lot about Tech’s athletic training program along with valuable information on nutrition and basic injury care for athletes.”

You can learn more about the Michigan Tech and Portage Health Athletic Training Student Internship Program by clicking HERE.

Athletic Training Clinic