Cedarville MAT Students Gain Experience With Powerhouse Teams

Football is the name of the game. It may look different for the Columbus Crew, a major league soccer club, and Penn State’s Big Ten Nittany Lions, but these powerhouse teams have something in common — both are hosting Cedarville University Master of Athletic Training (MAT) students for immersive clinical rotations. 

The MAT program at Cedarville is entering its third year while building on decades of education in sports medicine. The program’s reputation for excellence has opened doors for students seeking placement for immersive clinical training.  

“Cedarville has a reputation of producing outstanding students in every discipline on campus, and that makes it easy to reach out to other schools. They know they will be hosting a great young professional,” said Dr. Ken Blood, associate professor of athletic training. “So as the students dream and identify places that really meet their passions, we help them make that happen.”  

This explains how Cedarville students landed clinical placement this summer with Division I teams like Penn State, Baylor, Syracuse and Towson.  

Lauren Barnes, a second-year MAT student from Maine, New York, was drawn to the competitive atmosphere and physical demands of high-intensity sports. She was intrigued by Penn State football’s record as a Big Ten school and their renowned athletic training staff. This led her to reach out to their head athletic trainer, Andy Mutnan, who extended an invitation for her to see what life is like with a Division I football team.  

While with the Nittany Lions, Barnes will experience serving a team with a roster of 124 players and a staff of over 20 professionals, including coaches, team physicians and nutritionists. She will also expand her knowledge base and use the latest in rehabilitation and training equipment. 

“Working with athletes in a highly competitive environment like Penn State will elevate the confidence I have in my abilities as an athletic trainer. This placement is instrumental in allowing me to gain knowledge and expertise within the field,” said Barnes. 

Other students from Cedarville’s second MAT cohort spending the summer with collegiate football teams include: Kyler Conn (Jeffersonville, Ohio) and Michael Butcher (Knoxville, Tennessee) at Baylor University, Kara Hodson (Mount Morris, Illinois) at Syracuse University and Sarah Lagan (West Simsbury, Connecticut) at Towson University. 

It is not only schools that seek out Cedarville students. The Columbus Crew initiated the placement of second-year MAT student Jacob Bonville, from Presque Isle, Maine, with their major league club, where Bonville is gaining experience in the world of professional sports.  

“When I'm not observing treatment, treating players myself or out at training, I am researching, running through mock treatments, or talking with the various members of the sports medicine team. It has been very conducive for learning at the highest level,” said Bonville. 

As Bonville spends time on the sidelines with the Crew this summer, he will grow in his ability to critically assess, evaluate and treat sports injuries while providing physical, mental and spiritual care for top athletes. 

In addition to the valuable clinical experience, Bonville is enjoying the camaraderie that exists in professional sports. “The club has been very welcoming. It’s expected that everyone who is with the Crew knows everyone else’s name,” shared Bonville. “Getting to know the people behind the scenes and the players who excel on the pitch has been great.” 

While the traditional location for athletic trainers has been in the realm of professional, collegiate and high school athletics, the skills these students are perfecting will also prepare them to find employment in emerging fields where the need for on-site injury care and prevention is being recognized. Upon graduation, they will be in demand not only on the sidelines but in industrial, fine arts, military and clinical settings.