NATM Spotlight: An Athletic Trainer, Hurling, and a Little Luck of the Irish

March couldn’t be more fitting for Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic Athletic Trainer Ben Conaway. With National Athletic Training Month and St. Patrick’s Day colliding, he’s celebrating both his profession and his passion for the Irish sport of hurling.

Conaway serves as the Athletic Trainer for South-Doyle High School, where he helps prevent, treat, and rehabilitate injuries for student-athletes.

But off the sidelines, he’s also the cofounder of the Knoxville Gaelic Athletic Club, bringing the fast-paced, community-driven sport of hurling to Tennessee.

“In college, I met several Irish guys who were studying abroad here, and they both played,” Conaway said. “When I went to visit them in Dublin… it made such an impression on me… It felt like I was in Harry Potter.”

That experience sparked more than just interest. It led to building a local community around the sport. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the club offers both hurling and camogie, welcoming players of all skill levels.

“They are fun sports to play… but for me it’s really about creative ways to get active and find community,” Conaway said.

That same mindset carries into his work as an Athletic Trainer, where connection, trust, and keeping athletes active are at the center of everything he does.

And this summer, Conaway will take that passion even further—representing Knoxville at the 2026 World Games in Ireland.

For Conaway, whether it’s on the field or in the training room, it’s all about movement, community, and care. Check out the full story here! Slainte!