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 Mariko Kobanawa (18th season)
Kobanawa is in her 18th 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 23 years.
Kobanawa 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?
MK:Â Athletic Trainers are often not fully recognized as healthcare professionals, partly due to limited public understanding of our medically oriented education and the common confusion between "athletic trainers" and "personal trainers." This misconception overlooks the depth of our role in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries and illnesses. We're often the first medical professionals to respond when an injury occurs - Athletic Trainers are healthcare providers!
What made you decide to become an Athletic Trainer?
MK:Â I decided to become an Athletic Trainer when I was 17 years old, when I had to choose my career path. (In Japan, students are expected to make important career decisions early, and it's uncommon to change majors or universities once enrolled. Since I was deeply involved in sports and passionate about staying connected to the athletic world, pursuing a career as an Athletic Trainer felt like the perfect choice.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to become an Athletic Trainer?
MK:Â Talk to a variety of people who are currently working as Athletic Trainers, as well as those who have worked in the field in the past. Connect with individuals who earned their Athletic Training (AT)Â certification but chose to pursue other healthcare careers, and ask people who obtained AT certification but pursued other healthcare careers, and ask about their experiences and reasons for changing paths. Explore and learn about as many different work settings as possible to gain a well-rounded understanding of the profession.
What's the best part of your job?
MK:Â The best part of my job is seeing our student-athletes every day - especially those who have overcome tough situations or long recoveries. Watching them return to their sports healthy and confident is incredibly rewarding. Even for those who don't return to competition, the bonds we build and the moments we share as they navigate their life choices make this work truly special and meaningful.Â
What is your favorite injury to treat?
MK: It's not that I have a "favorite" injury to treat; I truly value working with athletes during post-op rehab. The longer process provides more time to connect - to sit down with them in extended time, teach body awareness, and explain the reasoning behind each rehab/treatment choice, talk about life in general, and offer support both physically and mentally. Seeing them daily creates a unique opportunity that no other healthcare providers have.
What are your favorite athletic training supplies you use?
MK:Â Skin lube - a convenient item for many different situations.
What is your favorite snack?
MK:Â Almond croissant (Maman)
What is your favorite movie?
MK:Â Legally Blonde and Ghibli movies
Also, the BisonCenter crew recently interviewed each Gallaudet Athletic Trainer. Enjoy this conversation with
Mariko Kobanawa.
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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.
