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As we're wrapping up National Athletic Training Month, we're spotlighting another AT because it's what we love to do! So, let's have you meet Stephanie Ludwig (who is no stranger to the spotlight...)
Stephanie was once celebrated as the first female head Athletic Trainer for the Portland Timbers and only the second in Major League Soccer history.
We're talking about her because she has made another significant career move. After two years with the Timbers, Ludwig has taken up the mantle as the Director of Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer for Portland Thorns FC, embarking on a new chapter in her storied career.
Ludwig's transition wasn't a product of active job seeking but rather a response to an unexpected opportunity.
"It wasn’t something I was actively seeking, but I figured ‘why not listen?’"
The vision and passion for Portland Thorns FC, as shared by Karina LeBlanc, ignited a new flame of ambition in her. With gratitude, she acknowledges the Timbers' staff for their support in this pivotal decision:
"There was this call, deep in my gut, it was time to make the switch.”
January marked the beginning of Ludwig's journey with the Thorns, underlining the club's commitment to elevating women's sports to unprecedented heights. Ludwig is drawn to this transformative period in women's soccer, viewing it as a crucial moment not just for the sport but for societal recognition of women's athletics.
Ludwig's leadership philosophy is one of mutual growth and empathy, fostering a medical department that nearly doubled in size under her guidance. She leads with a blend of Midwest kindness and a firm belief in reciprocal learning and growth.
"I believe that I can influence and be influenced, and that I can lead while still being challenged and growing."
Choosing to join the Thorns was a straightforward decision for Ludwig, deeply influenced by her love for Portland and its vibrant soccer culture. Though not originally from Portland, she feels a profound connection to the city and its enthusiastic embrace of soccer.
"This is the only place where the community embraces you just as much as they do the athletes. It’s Soccer City USA, and the Thorns are at the center of it all."
While her shift to the Thorns might not have garnered the same media attention as her historic appointment with the Timbers, Ludwig is poised to contribute to an equally, if not more, significant chapter in the history of the Portland Thorns.
Her pioneering spirit and dedication to athletic training continue to inspire and shape the future of soccer in Portland, promising an exciting era for the Thorns and their passionate fanbase.
