Boise State Athletic Training Program Marks 50th Anniversary

Boise State University’s Athletic Training Program celebrated its 50th anniversary during the Oct. 31 football game at Albertsons Stadium. The program was honored as the Blue Turf Thinkers of the week, a series that recognizes outstanding groups and initiatives on the university’s home field. The recognition highlighted the half-century of teaching and professional development that has defined the College of Health Sciences curriculum.

Dave Hammons, director of the Athletic Training Program and associate professor in the School of Kinesiology, stated that prevention remains the core of the profession. He explained that athletic trainers are trained to prevent musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, strains, and fractures. The training also covers specific conditions like concussions, eating disorders, and mental health problems.

The program maintains a close relationship with Boise State Athletics from its inception. Students complete clinical rotations connected to the university’s sports teams. This partnership has helped graduates secure positions across the globe. Athletic trainers now work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and with sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons.

Employment opportunities have expanded beyond traditional sports settings. Graduates now work at rodeos, Ironman competitions, and various industrial sites. Major companies including Boeing and Amazon have hired Boise State graduates for these roles. The United States military has also employed athletic trainers to treat personnel in the field.

Hammons noted that companies see a remarkable return on investment from hiring athletic trainers. By preventing major and repetitive stress injuries in warehouse and manufacturing environments, these professionals reduce workers’ compensation costs. They also improve employee retention rates for the hiring organizations.

The program reports a 95% job placement rate at graduation. This figure reached 100% in the spring of 2026. Students who did not secure immediate positions in the field typically entered medical school, physician assistant programs, or other healthcare schooling. The first-time board of certification pass rate for graduates is 90.5%, compared to a national average of 70.5%.

Shastina Williams, who earned a kinesiology degree in 2020 and a Master’s in Athletic Training in 2026, currently serves as an athletic trainer for Boise State’s football team. She described the hands-on guidance as a special experience, noting that clinicals begin on the first day of the program. Williams said her professors remained involved after her graduation, checking in on her career search and life after school.

The program affiliates with approximately 40 clinical sites around the Treasure Valley. This network allows students to work with young athletes in sports programs who may later appear as patients in clinic or professional settings. Hammons said the program’s progressive nature and focus on applying material to real-world scenarios remain central to its mission.