Sports are often defined by absolutes—wins and losses, first and final whistles. But for Athletic Trainers, the story begins when the game stops. When an athlete goes down, their mission truly starts: to restore not just bodies, but lives.
The institution’s impact on the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) includes 12 alumni, among them William E. “Pinky” Newell—known as “The Father of Modern Athletic Training”—and Craig Voll, clinical assistant professor and sports medicine concentration coordinator.
Voll’s decorated career includes serving as NATA District IV Director, President of both the Indiana and Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Associations, and member of multiple national committees.
While science anchors the field, Voll believes the profession is equally an art.
“When you know the science behind it, then you can work on your art form,” he said.
Each patient interaction is unique—an imprint of trust and care.
“Athletic training is like fingerprints. You leave your fingerprints on people and never realize the importance of the role you played in somebody’s recovery.”
Voll emphasizes the human connection behind the science.
“We are the one profession that's there all the time ... It is truly a relationship-driven profession,” he said. For him, success extends beyond physical recovery: “If they leave that interaction consciously aware that they're loved and respected, guess what? They’re gonna buy into what you’re asking them to do.”
Yet, Voll also acknowledges how tragedy often drives progress. Reflecting on the deaths of athletes like Zeke Upshaw and the lifesaving response to Damar Hamlin’s collapse, he notes how awareness evolves through heartbreak. In the end, Voll says, passion sustains the field:
“We all inherently have the empathy gene … What I want to get people to understand is, ‘What is their why?’”
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