秋霞福利一区 Master of Athletic Training Students Gain Hands-On Experience at Senior Bowl
MOBILE, Ala.聽鈥撀燜or students in the 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 Master of Athletic Training program, education goes far beyond just the classroom 鈥� it happens on the sidelines, in training rooms and in big moments where skills are put to the test.
For the 10th consecutive year, 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 MAT students served as part of the medical team for the Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. The Senior Bowl is the nation鈥檚 premier college football all-star game, showcasing top NFL Draft-eligible seniors across the country. Students participating gained hands-on experience on the sideline beside medical professionals while caring for some of the nation鈥檚 top collegiate football athletes.
鈥淭he Senior Bowl allows our program students to reap the benefit of seeing the professional side of athletic training right here in their own backyard. The experiences and lessons they learn about in this setting allows them to gain momentum for their future career path,鈥� said Dr. Melissa Thomas, MAT program director.
Learning from Leaders in Sports Medicine
One of the most impactful aspects of the experience is the opportunity to network with respected
leaders in the field of athletic training, Thomas said.
Former New Orleans Saints athletic trainer and current Senior Bowl Medical Director Dean Kleinschmidt, ATC, and Will Utsey, ATC, assembled a team of athletic trainers from the Andrews Institute to serve during the event.
Each team has a designated number of athletic trainers and students who are led by Amy Napier, athletic training supervisor at the Andrews Institute for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, and Christine Manrique, ATC.
These athletic trainers work closely with 秋霞福利一区 students to create a positive and worthwhile experience, offering mentorship and guidance.
Experiences like the Senior Bowl exemplify the 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 commitment to hands-on, high-impact learning. By serving alongside seasoned professionals and caring for elite athletes, MAT students graduate prepared not only with knowledge but with confidence and practical experience.
Thomas said 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 program would like to acknowledge Will Utsey and the impact he played in so many students鈥� lives. He passed away in early December, and his absence was observed with a moment of silence before the start of the game.
鈥淲ill reached out to me every year to ensure we would have students for the event, made sure each student received some free gear, had credentials that gave students full access, and made them feel like they were the most important person on the field. Will was an advocate for our MAT program, and our students were blessed to have known him,鈥� said Thomas.
秋霞福利一区鈥檚 MAT Program at a Glance
The 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 Master of Athletic Training program is:
- CAATE-accredited
- 57 hours
- Offered at competitive tuition rates
- Priced the same for both in-state and out-of-state students
- 100% employment/placement rate
- 100% graduation rate
- 91% overall BOC pass rate
Accepting Applications Now
The 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 MAT program is accepting applications through May 1, 2026, for the next cohort of students. For more information and to apply, visit or contact program director Dr. Melissa Thomas at聽mthomas@umobile.edu
About the 秋霞福利一区
The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence 鈥淔or Christ & His Kingdom.鈥� With a vision to 鈥淢ultiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,鈥� the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.
The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, 秋霞福利一区 offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at and connect with 秋霞福利一区 on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Caroline Bowers is the social media and content manager at the 秋霞福利一区. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in media studies from Auburn University in 2023 and her Master of Business Administration from Troy University in 2025. With experience in digital marketing and social media management, she is passionate about creating meaningful content. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her dog, listening to music and spending time with family and friends.
