Matt Zens: Guiding DWU Athletes with Expertise and Care

Athletic Trainers play a crucial role in helping student-athletes achieve success, both on the field and in their future careers. Dakota Wesleyan University’s Matt Zens exemplifies this dedication.

“One thing I’d really like them to be able to do is when they leave here is to be involved. Everybody’s busy. Life is busy all the time, and time is just one of the most precious gifts we’ll ever be given."

Zens, a physical therapist, AT, and instructor at DWU, previously worked at the Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls, specializing in shoulder rehab for nearly 15 years.

Now, he's been chosen to serve as President of the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists (ASSET):

“It’s very humbling. We do a lot of research with people that are really devoted to research, and they spend a lot of time academically doing different things."

Leading over 100 international members specializing in shoulder and elbow rehabilitation, Zens has spoken at conferences in Rome and engaged with MLB for potential partnerships. His students are immensely proud of his accomplishments.

DWU graduate Rebecca Buchholz, a former Zens student who now works alongside him as the university’s MAT Coordinator of Clinical Education, revealed: 

“When he was honored with this, he didn’t tell any of his students... we were all kind of mad at him that he didn’t tell us that he was awarded this outstanding position.”

Zens aims to bring cutting-edge shoulder rehab techniques to his students.

“To be able to add to that and be able to bring back some of the absolutely most cutting-edge things that are happening across the world in terms of shoulder rehab, our students have the ability to learn that right away from the get-go."

 Buchholz added:

“Matt is just as good of a person as he is a physical therapist, and he wants us to be hands-on and get that experience.”

Zens believes building trust is key to success.

“People don’t really care what you know until they know that you care.”

After his term as ASSET president ends, Zens will help the next president settle in.

Check out his full story here!