VermontBiz: VTSU athletic training students raise the bar at Eastern Athletic Trainers Association convention
One VTSU student earned a scholarship and a second was recognized for her leadership at the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association Convention in Philadelphia, PA. Eleven total students from the Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.) program at Vermont State University (VTSU) Castleton attended the event.
VTSU M.A.T. student Becca Roy
The Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA) is comprised of over 8,000 athletic trainers and students from Maine to Delaware. EATA offers educational sessions, scholarships, and research grants to athletic trainers in Districts 1 and 2 of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
First-year M.A.T. student Becca Roy represented the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers as the student delegate to the EATA. In this leadership role, Becca is actively involved in planning and running the student program at the EATA Convention for both 2025 and 2026.
Roy shared, “I had a great time attending the EATA Convention! I enjoyed meeting and learning from professionals in the field, and had the opportunity to make connections with other students pursuing a career in athletic training across New England.
“As the Vermont state delegate for the EATA, I am working with other state delegates to plan and run the student portion of the next EATA conference that will be held in January in Boston. I am honored to represent the state of Vermont and look forward to the next EATA Convention,” she added.
Second-year student M.A.T. Gary Arleth was honored with two prestigious scholarships: the EATA District I Scholarship and the EATA Joseph Abraham Scholarship. He was also selected to present his Critically Appraised Topic research poster at the convention. Additionally, Arleth secured third place in the 2025 District 1 Quiz Bowl and will proudly represent District 1 at the national student quiz bowl at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in Orlando this June.
Vermont State University M.A.T. student Gary Arleth with program faculty, receiving Joseph Abraham Award.
“Attending the Eastern Athletic Training Association conference was an incredible experience that I was fortunate to share with my fellow classmates. I had the opportunity to reconnect with amazing individuals who share my passions and goals, and I was honored to receive two scholarships, place in the District 1 Quiz Bowl, and present my critically appraised topic,” Arleth remarked.
He added, “These scholarships not only support my continued education at VTSU Castleton but also serve as a standard of excellence that I will strive to uphold throughout my career as an athletic trainer.”
VTSU’s Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.) program prepares students for the Board of Certification examination in just two years. The selective program features extensive clinical experiences and mentoring by healthcare professionals in the practice settings of emergency medicine, sports medicine, orthopedics, and family practice medicine. An athletic trainer is a healthcare professional specializing in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses, primarily working with athletes, and operating under the direction of a physician; their key role is to promote wellness and minimize injury risk through education, assessment, and therapeutic interventions.
“Seeing our students excel and receive recognition at the EATA Convention is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the quality of our Master of Athletic Training program at VTSU. We are incredibly proud of Becca, Gary, and all our students for their achievements and their representation of our university. Their success is a reflection of the strong community and support system we have built within the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences,” said Reese Boucher, Professor and Athletic Training Program Director.
VTSU group of students and program faculty.
