Q&A with Athletic Trainer Maddie Awtrey

Let’s start with the basics! From where and when did you graduate college?
I graduated from Harding University in 2015 with a degree in athletic training.

Tell us about you and your family.
I was born and raised in St. Louis, so yes, I’m a Cardinals fan. I have two older brothers. We’re pretty spread out – one is in Colorado and the other is down in Texas. Growing up, our vacations were camping or going up to Colorado. My dad was a youth minister, so we went on a lot of missions trips over the summer. We just love to spend time outside whenever we’re together.

What made you want to choose athletic training as a career?
In high school I had the opportunity to take Intro to Athletic Training classes and was able to work closely with our athletic trainer. Learning about that made me realize I definitely wanted to be in the medical field. At Harding I was in the athletic training program there and I really loved working with the student-athlete population. Being an athlete myself growing up, it was a good fit for me.

Though it may be hard to believe, you’ve already been at CAC for a year now. What has been your favorite part?
Yeah, for sure! The previous two years I worked in the Little Rock Public School District, which was nice and I really enjoyed it. But, coming to a private Christian school, I’ve noticed it’s a lot more family and community focused. When I first started, and I was the new kid on the block, everyone was so welcoming. The community here is a lot like what I had at Harding, which is nice.

What has been one of your favorite memories?
Basketball was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed working with those girls, and the smaller team size allowed me to get to know each one of them pretty well. The sense of leadership I saw on the team and the fact that I got to watch them grow throughout the year was a lot of fun. And of course, winning the state championship was a great experience. I really lucked out and came to CAC at the right time!

You mentioned the student-athlete population. What is something you see in them that makes you want to help them get better?
I admire the drive that athletes have. I enjoy watching them do something they are passionate about, and when they get injured I have the opportunity to work with them one-on-one to overcome that. There’s nothing like watching an athlete play in the first game after healing from an injury that they’ve been working through. Watching them achieve in the sport they are playing is just incredible.

What is your favorite sport or team to watch?
I would say baseball. I know a lot of people who didn’t grow up watching baseball think it’s boring, but I grew up in a baseball city and went to Cardinals games every summer. I love going to the games and the atmosphere there. It’s a slower game than some sports, but I just love everything about it.

What are you looking forward to in this next year?
I’m excited to get the first year out of the way and start my second year already knowing the faculty and most of the athletes. I’m looking forward to growing those relationships and winning some more state championships!