VALDOSTA, Ga.- March marks National Athletic Training Month, it is a position often overlooked until it is absolutely needed. Athletes often find their way into the training room multiple times throughout their career for a variety of reasons, that's when athletic trainers answer the call. During the month of March, the National Athletic Trainers' Association helps bring a spotlight to the special men and women who dedicate their lives to the health and wellness of athletes. Valdosta State has a special group of individuals, both alumni and current, who deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to the betterment of Blazer Nation and its student athletes during Athletic Training Month.

Gracie Thurson- Men's Basketball, Volleyball, Cheer and Red Hots
Gracie, a native of Neptune Beach, Florida, was a graduate assistant at Valdosta State from 2019-2021. She worked with Volleyball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Cheer, and the Red Hots. She is still living in Valdosta, working with the athletic training program at Valdosta State University.  Currently, Gracie is working with Men's Basketball, Volleyball, Cheer and Red Hots.
 
Gracie's favorite memory as a Graduate Assistant at VSU was working with Men's Basketball during the 2019-20 season when the Blazers went on a school record breaking 19 game win streak. She stated that, "Winning is always fun, but we had such a good group of athletes and coaches that made my first year in athletic training one that I'll never forget."
 
"Valdosta State University helped me become more confident as a clinical athletic trainer. I was newly certified when I got here in 2019. Now that I'm four years in, I can say that I have gained so much experience and knowledge while being here that I will take with me for the rest of my career."
 
Ben Costello- Baseball and Football
A native of Newport News, Virginia, Ben Is currently the main athletic trainer for Blazer baseball while also helping out with football. He received a Bachelors in Athletic Training from Radford University as well as a Masters in Business and Administration from Thomas University. Ben's favorite part of being an athletic trainer is having an impact on the health and human performance of our student athletes and watching them compete in the sport they love.
 
Jess Ballow- Football, Men's and Women's Tennis
Jess, a native of Wooster, Ohio, is the athletic trainer for football and men's and women's tennis. She did her Undergraduate Studies at Heidelberg University and is currently working on her Master's in Education for Higher Education Leadership. She stated, "My favorite part about being an athletic trainer are the connections that you make with the student athletes and teams, being able to watch them grow."
 
Hayley Widman- Women's Basketball and Cross Country
A native of Monroeville, Ohio, Hayley is the athletic trainer for women's basketball and cross country. She studied Athletic Training at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She received her Masters of Science in Kinesiology from the University of North Georgia. Hayley stated, "My favorite part of being an athletic trainer is being able to be my athletes' biggest cheerleader throughout their rehab and watching them get back to being successful at what they do best. I will never get tired of letting them know their comeback will be much stronger than their set back."
 
Jay Johnson- Head Athletic Trainer and Football
Jay, a native of Wilcox County, Georgia, is Valdosta State's head athletic trainer and works with Blazer football. He did his undergraduate studies at Valdosta State University before getting his Masters from Georgia College. He works diligently to make sure his staff is taken care of. Jay loves athletic training because, "It's the purest form of medicine."
 
Claire Guilliams- Softball
Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Claire is the athletic trainer for VSU softball. She got her Bachelor's degree in athletic training, along with her Masters degree in Counselor Education from Longwood University. Her favorite part about being an athletic trainer is "Being there for an athlete as they work their way through an injury and get back to playing."
 
Colton Bowser- Soccer and Golf
Coming from Ogden, Illinois, Colton is Valdosta State's athletic trainer for women's soccer and golf. He did his undergraduate studies at Illinois State University, and got his Masters degree from the University of North Georgia. He stated, "My favorite part about being an athletic trainer are the bonds and friendships that continue on after the athlete is done playing."
 
Jody Preische Russell- Tennis, Men's and Women's Basketball, Baseball and Softball (1995-1997)
Jody attended Valdosta State from 1995-97. While at VSU, she spent a lot of time with tennis, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball. She is currently located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania where she is a professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Commonwealth University- Lock Haven. She is also the Athletic Training Coordinator of Clinical Education.
 
When asked about her time at VSU, she stated, "The question is easy. The confidence the staff had in my abilities combined with my experiences and responsibilities placed on me provided me with the foundation of becoming a competent athletic trainer. The ability to spend time and teach the undergraduate students made me realize the passion I had for teaching and helped to shape me into the professor I am today. I should mention as well that I had an absolute amazing role model in Michele Garber that taught me how to be a student-oriented teacher."
 
Maci Fox- Volleyball, Men's Basketball, Tennis and Football (2016-2018)
Maci was a graduate assistant at Valdosta State from 2016-18. She worked with volleyball, men's basketball, tennis and football. She is currently an assistant athletic trainer at Stetson University in Deland, Florida. At Stetson, Maci works with football and women's tennis. Maci's favorite memories as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Valdosta State was doing the AT-lympics with the athletic training students for football.
 
Carli Vining- Football (2020-2022)
Carli was a graduate assistant at Valdosta State from 2020-22. She worked primarily with football. She is currently living in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, working at Middle Tennessee State University. At Middle Tennessee, Carli works as an assistant athletic trainer with football and women's golf. Her favorite memory at VSU was going to the Division II National Championship in 2021 with the Blazer football team.
 
Jon Hay- (1983-85)
Jon Hay was the first graduate assistant trainer at Valdosta State University. He was with VSU from 1983-85. For his full story, visit the Valdosta State Athletic Training Instagram page here.
 
Brandon Sheppard- (1995-1996)
Brandon Sheppard was a graduate assistant at Valdosta State from 1995-96. For his full story with the program, visit the Valdosta State Athletic Training Instagram page here.
 
Jeff Allen- (1995)
Jeff Allen graduated from the athletic training program at Valdosta State in 1995. He has since taken over the role as Director of Sports Medicine and Head Football Athletic Trainer at the University of Alabama. For his full story, visit the Valdosta State Athletic Training Instagram page here.
 
For a full list of videos, graphics and posts on all things Athletic Training Month at Valdosta State, visit the Valdosta State Athletic Training Instagram page listed above.