Meet the Sports Medicine Team Behind Every Comeback

When fans think of Boise State football’s legacy of excellence, names like Kellen Moore, Ashton Jeanty, and Demarcus Lawrence often come to mind. But behind every highlight reel and championship banner stands a dedicated team of Athletic Trainers — the cornerstone of Boise State football’s success.

“We aren’t just training people to get stronger,” said Associate Athletic Trainer McKenna Drevno. “We’re the sports medicine team. We find you at your weakest and we build you back up.”

Now in her fourth season with the Broncos, Drevno and her fellow trainers — Jeremy Busch, Brandon Voigt, and Michael Fanning — work tirelessly each week to keep athletes healthy and performing at their best.

Their routine begins on Sundays with post-game injury checks and continues through long days of rehab, taping sessions starting before dawn, and constant treatment and evaluation through game day.

“The hours are long, but the reward is worth it,” said Boise State sophomore Matias Munera, who interns with the training staff while pursuing a degree in athletic training. “It almost feels like a D-1 athlete’s schedule without the perks. But I really do enjoy the work I put in there regardless.”

For Drevno, the bonds formed with players are just as important as the treatments.

“I’m not going to sit there and talk to guys about X’s and O’s,” she said. “I’m going to ask, ‘how are you doing, how’s mom and dad, how’s school?’ We all care about them as people.”

Her favorite moments come when players return the appreciation.

“There was one time a player gave me a hug in the middle of the game,” Drevno said. “He probably thought it was something simple, but to me, it was like, ‘Wow, that’s awesome.’”

Boise State’s athletic training team may not score touchdowns, but their work ensures the Broncos can keep making history. Read the full story here!