Like many Athletic Trainers, Mike Daniels’ journey into the profession started with an injury.
“I ended up getting hurt and I saw the athletic training side of things and fell in love with it,” Daniels said.
There, he stepped into a role with OSU Sports Medicine working with the Tulsa Oilers Football team.
“They just threw me in the deep end,” Daniels said with a laugh. “I wanted to show that I was confident in my knowledge and skills.”
Not long after, Daniels found himself in another “deep end” moment—taking on a leadership role overseeing multiple Athletic Trainers across Tulsa, including those working with FC Tulsa, Tulsa Oilers hockey, and USA BMX.
“I still don’t believe I’m in this position,” he said. “I just hit the ground running and figured it out on the spot.”
Now, Daniels focuses not only on athlete care but also on supporting the Athletic Trainers around him.
“I was in their shoes not that long ago… I wanted to make sure I could be a resource I wish I had had,” he said.
For Daniels, success isn’t just about managing injuries—it’s about building a team.
“They can count on me no matter what.”
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