WASHINGTON - During National Athletic Training Month, Gallaudet Athletics would like to extend a special thanks to our athletic trainers;
Mariko Kobanawa,
Tom McKnight,
Teri Wood and
Ilana Bell.
March is National Athletic Training Month, an opportunity to spread awareness of the impact athletic trainers (ATs) have on work, life and sport. Athletic trainers are health care professionals that prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries for active people in many industries, including sports, military and clinical practice.
This year's slogan is "There's an AT for that."
Getting to Know: Tom McKnight (10th season)
McKnight is in his 10th year on the Gallaudet Athletic Training staff as he joined in Fall 2013. He was promoted to Associate Athletic Trainer in September 2021. He is also an Adjunct II professor in the Physical Education and Recreation Department. McKnight graduated from Gallaudet University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and biology along with University honors. He then attended Shenandoah University where he received a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training in 2013.
Q: In your spare time, what are your hobbies and/or favorite things to do?
TM: Staying active, playing disc golf, and traveling
Q: What three words would your best friend use to describe you?
TM: Reliable, intelligent, and pragmatic
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
TM: Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director
Q: Who do you consider your role model / who you look up to and why?
TM:I looked up to two individuals growing up: John Monahan and Jeffrey Mansfield. During my time as a student, John was a physical education teacher and athletic director. Due to his impact on my experience as a student, I wanted to model my career after him. Jeff was a senior and a standout in many areas when I was a freshman. Thanks to the Academic Bowl competition, I got to know him and learned about his achievements, so I wanted to be like him and emulate his successes.
Q: What is your phobia / what is something that you are afraid of?Â
TM: I fear being in underwater caves like in the film "Sanctum"
Q: What is your favorite quote?
TM: "Illegitimi non carborundum"
#NATM2023 Profiles
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About NATA
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity, and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 45,000 members of the athletic training profession. For more information, visitÂ
www.nata.org.
