UTICA, NY - March is National Athletic Training Month in the world of athletics, which presents an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate champions in health care at universities all around the world. During this month, Utica University and Pioneer Athletics would like to take some time to show appreciation for our excellent sports medicine staff and thank them for all they do to take care of our athletes and keep them in premier condition to not only compete, but also live healthy and fulfilling lives.
 
In this new series called "Behind the Benches", Pioneer athletics would like to put the spotlight on their valued sports medicine staff and hear what athletic training and the athletics community means to them.
 
The first Utica sports medicine representative to be featured in this series is 15-year Pioneer veteran Dawn Corbin! We ventured behind the benches this weekend to learn about Dawn and what athletic training means to her.
 
Dawn Corbin Q & A:
 
Years as a Pioneer: 15.5
 
Years in sports medicine: 21
 
Alma mater(s): Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The University of Virginia
 
Did you play sports during high school or college?: Yes, multiple.
 
What is your favorite tape job and/or tape to use?: I love doing most tape jobs! Except during football season when I have to do them 1000 times a day.
 
What is your go-to fact when you need an icebreaker?: I like to skydive and I love pugs.
 
What would you like Utica and the greater athletics community to know about your profession?: For me, athletic training is more than just the medical profession. More than just the long hours and weekends. It's building relationships, gaining the trust of my athletes, watching them develop and succeed not only as an athlete, but as a person too. Other medical fields aren't lucky enough to get to know their patients that well. It makes watching them win on the field, in the athletic training room, and in life truly rewarding.
 
Dawn can be found patrolling the sideline during football season and manning the bench during basketball season. Her dedication and years spent at Utica have allowed all three of those programs to experience periods of great success during those times.
 
For more information about the National Athletic Trainers' Association and National Athletic Training Month, please visit nata.org.