When Mallory Pearson was a student-athlete at Illinois Valley Community College, Athletic Trainer Kayla Olson showed her that the profession could make an impact far beyond treating injuries.
Pearson was a sophomore playing volleyball and softball when her father was seriously injured in an accident. As she struggled emotionally, Olson was there to support her.
“I was emotionally having a really hard time, and she would always bring me protein shakes and stuff before practices,” Pearson said. “She did so much stuff that was a lot bigger than helping with an injury, and it meant a lot. I’ve held onto it for these last eight years. People don’t forget.”
The experience helped inspire Pearson to become an Athletic Trainer herself.
“I’ve always wanted to help someone else like that,” she said.
After studying kinesiology at Loras College and earning her master’s degree in Athletic Training, Pearson spent two years as an assistant Athletic Trainer at Illinois Wesleyan University. Now, she has joined OSF in Princeton as the full-time Athletic Trainer for Princeton athletics—and will have the opportunity to work alongside Olson.
“I get the opportunity to work alongside her, which is really cool,” Pearson said.
Her arrival also fills an important need. Princeton had gone three years without an Athletic Trainer, according to her brother and Princeton head football coach Ryan Pearson.
Mallory Pearson said she is especially excited about providing athletes with consistency and building relationships throughout every sports season.
“Being able to be that No. 1 contact person for them they are always able to go to and having a lot of consistency I think will help,” she said.
Ryan Pearson said that presence has been missed.
“We could not be more grateful to finally have that for our kids,” he said. “She’s very knowledgeable in multiple sports, not just one, so I think that’s really going to be beneficial for all our athletic programs here.”
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