SLU AT Student's Confidence Grows Through Preceptor's Support with SLU Billiken Athletics

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Billiken Athletics

By: Gabby Herod (MAT Class of 2021)

Being at Saint Louis University has opened my eyes to so much with athletic training. The behind the scene work that Petra Knight, MS, ATC, CES is responsible for is intense and I wasn’t aware that ATs would have to do all of what she does. Being there since July, has given me a great chance to become comfortable with how things work at SLU and with basketball since that will be our main sport this year. Petra has given me a lot of freedom already with evaluations, rehab, and daily treatments with athletes. This has really increased my confidence in all those areas since this is the first time that I have really been able to do what I want to do. I have gotten very comfortable with documentation now that I see athletes for all injuries. She knows that is the area of work I want to be in after I am finished with this program and I look forward to getting better each day. 

We have been primarily with the Women’s Basketball Team since Covid has shut down fall sports. Being with them everyday is a dream come true. Since this sport is my passion I am ready and willing to learn from this team. It has been very different again because of Covid but we are managing the best we can. Everything that Covid has brought is still showing and teaching me that communication is the most important thing with this job.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Athletic Training students featuring their clinical site and their preceptors. The number, quality and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU AT Program.