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 Jeffrey Oakley.

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 "Champions in Health Care."

Getting to Know: Mariko Kobanawa (17th season)
Kobanawa is in her 17th season as an Athletic Trainer on the Gallaudet Athletic Training staff as she joined in Fall 2008. Kobanawa was promoted to Head Athletic Trainer in June 2013. She graduated from Tokai in 1999 and received her bachelor of science's degree from IUP in 2002. She worked at Model Secondary School for the Deaf from 2003 to 2007 as Athletic Trainer. Kobanawa has been an Athletic Trainer for a total of 22 years.

The BisonCenter crew recently sat down to interview each Gallaudet Athletic Trainer. Enjoy this conversation with Mariko Kobanawa along with BisonCenter reporter and GU student-athlete Jaylen Johnson.




#NATM2025 Profiles

• Mariko Kobanawa
• Tom McKnight
• Teri Wood
• Jeffrey Oakley

Also see:

• NATA website
• NATM website

About NATA
Athletic trainers are healthcare 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, visit www.nata.org.