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Joe Shaw, a former student-athlete for the Nevada Wolf Pack, has come full circle as an Athletic Trainer for the same program.
After playing professional basketball for nine years, including a stint with Austria's national team, Shaw's interest in sports medicine sparked when he began taking care of his own injuries.
“I just kind of fell in love with the body, how it worked, and how to make it recover faster.”
Shaw recalled how he learned to tape his own ankles and help teammates tape their ankles, too.
After retiring, Shaw pursued a Master’s degree in Athletic Training at Northern Arizona University. His journey led him back to Nevada in 2022, where he now oversees the Wolf Pack’s women’s cross country and track and field teams.
Returning to campus has brought back the same excitement he once felt as an athlete.
“When I drive to work now, I still feel that same feeling as if I was an athlete. It’s contagious... I’ve just been enjoying it and enjoying these athletes.”
Shaw's favorite part of the job is interacting with Nevada’s athletes, from lifting their spirits to simply sharing jokes. He also takes pride in seeing athletes recover from injuries:
“Just seeing them progress back to where they want to be and helping them as much as I can.”
Reflecting on his career shift, Shaw recognizes the dedication it takes to keep athletes healthy, something he didn’t fully appreciate during his playing days.
“You wouldn’t know until you’re in it. Even as an athlete, when I was going through college, I had no idea the amount of hours they put in."
Check out his full story and watch the video here!
