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 "Care You Can Count On."
Q&A with Tom McKnight (13th season)
McKnight is in his 13th 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 a Senior 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. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Health and Human Performance at Concordia University Chicago.
McKnight had a chance to get interviewed by Gallaudet Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant
Alyssa Marino for National Athletic Training Month. Below are the questions and answers between the two.
What is something you wish others knew about Athletic Training that is not obvious about the profession?
TM:Â The athletic trainers are focused on injuries and well-being, not solely fitness-based.
What made you decide to become an Athletic Trainer?
TM:Â I had an unhappy triad - ACL, MCL, and meniscus tears in high school, and I had a surgical procedure to repair them. Subsequently, I went through five months of PT and became so immersed in anatomy & physiology. I already wanted to stay in athletics, so any field within athletics would have sufficed for me back then, with physical education and athletic director as the top choices.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to become an Athletic Trainer?
TM:Â To succeed as an athletic trainer, you must be motivated, flexible, and able to interact with people, as this field is highly fluid and challenging at times.
What's the best part of your job?
TM: Seeing student-athletes succeed, especially after coming back from injuries, and not only that, getting opportunities to travel.
What is your favorite injury to treat?
TM:Â Hardly call any injury a favorite of mine, but I do like treating knee-related injuries.
What are your favorite athletic training supplies you use?
TM:Â We use plenty of supplies daily, but if I had to pick one, it would be the metal scraper tool.
What is your favorite snack?
TM:Â My favorite snack is Greek yogurt, especially these flip ones.
What is your favorite movie?
TM:Â I do not have a singular favorite movie as I have several. If you were to ask about a favorite show, it would be House.
Also, the BisonCenter crew recently interviewed each Gallaudet Athletic Trainer. Enjoy this conversation with
Tom McKnight.
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#NATM2026 Profiles
Also see:
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.
