While athletic training has been traditionally a male-dominated field, more women are making their mark. With Natchitoches Regional Medical Center funding two positions, Northwestern State employs six women out of the nine-member athletic training staff.
 
March is National Athletic Training Month and International Women's Month.  NSU Athletics salutes its women in athletic training.

Featured in a question and answer interview: Eboni Palmer, an undergraduate member of the sports medicine staff, who works primarily with Demon cross country and track and field.
 

Q: How did you get involved with athletic training? What was your moment when you realized this is was your calling?
A: At first, I was leaning more towards physical therapy. I had three MCL surgeries, so I got close with my physical therapists. I got to see how they worked with other people and help them. Once I talked to my mentor, I thought, there's something I could do that is more sports-related. I could be around more athletes and get to know more about athletic injuries. That's how I got more into athletic training rather than physical therapy.

Q: How did you hear about being able to apply here as a student worker?
A:  In high school I was in an after-school program called Upward Bound. One of my mentors there, Mr. Bush, knew I was interested in sports and asked if I was interested in working with athletes when I got to college. I was like yeah, why not? He talked to me a little about sports medicine and athletic training. He and Jason (Drury, NSU's head athletic trainer) are good friends and Mr. Bush gave him my number. He gave him a call, and I've been here ever since. This is my fourth year. I graduate in December.

Q: What do you plan on doing after graduation?
A:  Honestly, I'm undecided. As of right now I want to go to grad school at SFA and do their graduate program for athletic training.

Q: Since it's Women's History Month, who are some of your women inspirations and role models? Are any of them in the athletic training profession?
A: I would say my role model is my older sister Keyonna. Just seeing how she's four years older than me but seeing how hard she worked in school and seeing how hard she works to keep everything in control in her house with her new baby. It's just amazing to me seeing how she dealt with an emergency C-section two weeks before her graduation and still being able to graduate. That's amazing. She's always been a hard worker and on me to keep going and keep up with my schoolwork and good grades. She's always been there for me.

Q: What do you do as a student member of the staff?
A: Right now, I help (graduate assistant) Hannah (Knopp) with track and field. In the fall I work football. I just shadow Hannah and assist in anything she needs help accomplishing.

Q: Do you have any advice for females just starting in the profession or who are considering becoming an athletic trainer?
A: Know what you're getting into. Know it's going to take long hours. There's possibly a lot of traveling, but traveling is what you make of it. It can either be really bad for you or really good. So far for me everything has been great.