To The William Woods Athletic Department and Student Athletes,

Today I will walk out of the doors for the final time here at William Woods University, and I can't help but reflect on my time here. It has been my great pleasure to serve this community as Assistant Athletic Trainer for 10 years, and these past three years and one month as your Head AT.  I'm not sure that I can even thank the number of people I have come to know, to have met, and come to appreciate… it's nearly impossible.  So, please know that these last 13 years of my life has been rewarding and successful.  It is because of the people and the culture of The Woods that leads me to feel this way.  The success and rewards were certainly not achieved on my own, rather aided by those that surrounded me every day.

To the student athletes, you are an inspiration.  You all, past and present, have taught me so much and helped me grow as a clinician.  Your tenacity and grit is far more than you will ever know.  Your success on the field has been so much fun to be a part of.  Numerous wins, conference championships, and National Tournament appearances has been a pleasure to witness and participate in.  Many tears have been shed in my world of athletics. When you broke, a little piece of me broke with you.  However, as we helped put you back together, strengthen you, and return you to the sport you love, the feelings were reciprocal.  It has been some of my greatest joys seeing many of you return to the playing field/court after injury and be successful.  I think I am most impressed with how you all handled the adversities of 2020-2021, playing sports in a pandemic.  It was truly inspiring to watch you handle the unknown with poise, maturity, and grace.  I wish you many more friendships, wins, and championships along the way.  Please be patient with Cody and Devon while they look for the third AT position to be filled. 

Coaches, I have learned so much from you, both past and present.  Most people don't get to see all the things that you do for your players, so thank you not only for the things that people do see, but also for the behind the scenes things that people don't see.  I have been nothing but impressed with the mature, responsible adults that have come from your programs.  

Jason Vittone, thank you so much for not giving up on me.  As you know, there was a time that I was really struggling with passion for my position and profession as a whole. I am thankful every day that you stuck with me.   The support you have for our profession is something that other ADs should take notes on.  Thank you for allowing me to usher in mental wellness/health, patient and coach injury education, prevention programming, and evidence based-data driven orthopedic healthcare to the student athletes here at William Woods.  This wouldn't have been possible without your support.  All other ATs would be so lucky to have you as their administrator.  

To the colleagues that I have worked most closely with, please know that I have learned something from each and every one of you.  Larry York and Amy Haines took a chance in hiring a fairly "green," fresh out of grad school Athletic Trainer.  I am forever grateful for that.  Chelsea Epperson, there are no words……  There was a time when I hated my job and my profession, you helped reignite the fire and reinvigorate my passion for Athletic Training.  To the Graduate Assistant AT's that have come The Woods Way, you were always a breath of fresh air, fun to teach, and learn from.  Cody Walther, Devon Schmitz, and Jared Parker it has been a pleasure to serves as your leader.  You all made my job so much easier.   One of the things I looked for in your interview process was could you do my job.  I have no doubt that you all will lead an Athletic Training Facility at some point, whether here at The Woods or elsewhere.  I wish you nothing but the best and continued success. 

As I head off to my next endeavor, please know that Woods Athletics will hold a special place in my heart,
 

Mike McElhinney MS, ATC, LAT