Current Graduate Students
Michigan State University's Athletic Training Program has a number of graduate assistantships available through athletic department positions, high school outreach placements, and research appointments. Masters students at MSU have the opportunity to earn a degree in Athletic Training or any of the other sub-disciplines of Kinesiology. Doctoral students earn a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in a major sub-discipline of Kinesiology, a cognate in Kinesiology, or an out of area cognate in related fields such as epidemiology, anthropology, physiology etc. Graduate level course work in athletic training includes classes taught by Dr. John Powell in Advanced Structural and Spinal Evaluation and Injury Control. For further information contact Dr. John Powell @ powellj4@ath.msu.eduor 517-432-5018.
Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainers:
(back row) Brandon Mitchell, Katie Visintine, Amanda Riesterer, Meredith Cockrell
(front row) Anna Leyland, Natalie Herter, Marissa Siebel
ot pictured)
Meredith Cockerell, 2nd Year Graduate Assistant, Everett High School
Previous Education:
Southwestern University, BA
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Witnessing a fractured femur at a junior varsity football game
Why MSU:
The exposure to manual medicine
Future Plans:
Become an ATC at a university and teach
Random Fact:
She’s from Texas…don’t mess with her
Gregory D. Hawthorne, Jr., 2nd Year Graduate Assistant, Football
Previous Education:
University of Michigan, BS in Kinesiology with a specialization in Athletic Training
Previous MSU Clinical Assignment:
Baseball, 2006-2007
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Going to the 2005 Rose Bowl with U of M, and working in Dusseldorf, Germany for the Rhein Fire
Why MSU:
The opportunity to learn from the best in manual medicine and wanted to stay within the Big 10
Future Plans:
Work in the NFL
Random Fact:
Everything!
Natalie Herter, 1st Year Graduate Assistant, Track & Field / Cross Country
Previous Education:
Grand Valley State University
Most Memorable AT Moment:
When GVSU won D-II national titles in football and volleyball
Why MSU:
Wants to work with Big 10 athletics
Future Plans:
Work as an ATC at the collegiate level and possibly continue on to receive a PhD
Random Fact:
Lived in Germany for 4 years
Anna Leyland, 1st Year Graduate Assistant, Eastern High School
Previous Education:
Missouri State University
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Working with a soccer player who lacerated her liver and passing the NATABOC
Why MSU:
The opportunity to work with Big 10 athletics
Future Plans:
Work as a clinical outreach ATC
Random Fact:
Has visited Egypt once and Europe 4 times
Jeremy Marra, 2nd Year Graduate Assistant, Field Hockey / KIN 125 Course Coordinator
Previous Education:
Central Michigan University, BS in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine, 2006
Previous MSU Clinical Assignment:
Track & Field / Cross Country 2006-2007
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Cleaning the Jenison cold tub and 2007 Big 10 Track & Field Championships at Penn State
Why MSU:
The manual medicine and sport psychology courses and the not too shabby of a stipend
Future Plans:
Be selected as an ATC with the USOC and work athletics and academics at the collegiate level
Random Fact:
Has a large gap between his toes.
Brandon Mitchell, 1st Year Graduate Assistant, Baseball
Previous Education:
Boston University, BS in Athletic Training
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Going to the Meinike Car Care Bowl with Boston College Football
Why MSU:
Interested in manual medicine and the osteopathic approach to rehabilitation as well as the competitive nature of D-I athletics
Future Plans:
Become an athletic trainer for a D-I football program
Random Fact:
An extremely neat, clean, and organized guy
Amanda Riesterer, 2nd Year Graduate Assistant, Soccer
Previous Education:
Central Michigan University, BS in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Getting her first job
Why MSU:
To learn manual medicine and get the experience of working with Big 10 athletics
Future Plans:
Work as an ATC at the collegiate level
Random Fact:
Completed a cake decorating course this summer
Mike Schroeder, 2nd Year Graduate Assistant, Wrestling
Previous Education:
Purdue University, BA 2005
Previous MSU Clinical Assignment:
Football, 2006-2007
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Independently assessing an ACL sprain for the first time
Why MSU:
The program was highly recommended by several peers and mentors in the field
Future Plans:
Graduate, find gainful employment in the NFL, and have a family
Random Fact:
Loves to make people laugh
Tara Yeske, 2nd Year Graduate Assistant, Eaton Rapids High School
Previous Education:
Central Connecticut State University, BS in Athletic Training
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Watching an athlete finish the 2-miler in second place after losing a shoe during the first lap
Why MSU:
Recommended by undergraduate advisor
Future Plans:
Travel to Europe and work as an ATC for a semi-pro athletic team or college
Random Fact:
Mother was once a competitive body builder
Katie Visintine, 1st Year Graduate Assistant, Portland High School
Previous Education:
Elon University, BS in Athletic Training
Most Memorable AT Moment:
Getting announced as the ATC for my high school for the first time
Why MSU:
Hails from North Carolina and wanted to attend a great program, MSU was the answer
Future Plans:
Would like to work at the collegiate level, thus having the opportunity to work in both the clinical and educational setting
Random Fact:
Has received over 100 sutures in her lifetime