Cumberland Athletics Celebrates Athletic Training Staff During NATA Month

LEBANON, Tenn. - - March is National Athletic Training Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the vital role athletic trainers play in keeping student-athletes safe, healthy, and performing at their best. This unique month was established in 2000 and is sponsored by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) to spread awareness about the evolving profession and highlight a specific group of Healthcare Professionals across the globe. In 2026, we proudly take this opportunity to celebrate and express our deep appreciation for the athletic trainers who serve our Cumberland University Athletics Department by providing "Care You Can Count On", which happens to be this year's NATA Month Theme.

With 32 NAIA sports on campus and around 800 student-athletes, Cumberland employs ten Athletic Trainers. Eight are charged with providing quality patient care and two charged with educating future athletic trainers through the MS in Athletic Training Program. We'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our athletics trainers and for you to meet them.

At Cumberland University, our athletic trainers exemplify professionalism, dedication, and compassion. They are present at early morning practices, late-night games, and everything in between. Whether taping ankles before competition, responding immediately in high-pressure injury situations, or guiding athletes through recovery programs, their commitment never wavers.

While fans cheer for the game-winning shot or record-breaking performance, it is the athletic trainers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make those moments possible. Their expertise in injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation is essential to the success and well-being of every student-athlete.

"Athletic Trainers become more essential as the medical profession and the world of athletics continue to evolve and expand. I can't say enough about how proud I am of our ATs for providing a consistent quality of "Care You Can Count On" with this continued growth." - Dr. Katie Arnold, Assistant Athletics Director/Director of Athletic Training.

Beyond physical care, our athletic trainers build meaningful relationships with student-athletes. They serve as mentors, motivators, and trusted supporters during both the highs of victory and the challenges of injury. Their impact extends far beyond the sidelines, helping shape resilience, confidence, and long-term health habits in the lives of our student-athletes.

National Athletic Training Month is not only a celebration but also a reminder of how essential these professionals are to collegiate athletics, but the healthcare profession. The Cumberland University Athletics Department is incredibly fortunate to have a team of athletic trainers who consistently go above and beyond in their roles.

"I appreciate our athletic trainers who go above and beyond to help our student-athletes and coaches. We could not be successful without the athletic trainers doing their jobs." -Mr. Ron Pavan, Vice President for Athletics

To our athletic trainers: thank you for your unwavering dedication, your countless hours of hard work, and your commitment to the safety and success of our student-athletes. Your contributions do not go unnoticed, and they are deeply valued by our entire Athletics Department.

This March, and every month, we celebrate you.
If you would like to learn more about the Athletic Training profession, please visit the NATA website here (About | NATA).

To learn more about pursuing a degree in Athletic Training from Cumberland, please visit our website here (https://www.cumberland.edu/master-of-science-in-athletic-training/).

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