Lock Haven University is a state university in Clinton County offering a very strong athletic training program that expands far beyond their small roots in Central PA.
There are strong ties between the athletic trainers who studied at Lock Haven. There are a surprisingly large amount of them in Pennsylvania, who most likely have heard of or worked with other ATs from Lock Haven. A great example of the tie between Lock Haven AT students is currently taking place at Albright College in Reading.
Bernard Smack, MS, LAT, ATC, PES, Class of 2016 and Vicki Leibel, MS, LAT, ATC, Class of 2017 are both fine examples of the quality and standard Lock Haven University expects from their athletic training program. Both are currently working for Albright College with Leibel beginning in 2019 and Smack beginning in 2021.
Zachary Echevarria, a recent graduate of Lock Haven's athletic training program, completed his final immersion experience with Albright College this spring. His immersion has led him to primarily work under Smack with both men's and women's basketball teams, but also various other spring sports such as baseball, men's lacrosse, track and field and spring football.
"Being able to work with athletic trainers who came from the same school as me and are in positions I hopefully will be in one day was very helpful and inspiring to see," Echevarria said.
Smack has conducted various internships with high level programs such as Florida International University, the University of Miami, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Leibel has also worked with various local companies such as Spooky Nook Sports and Manheim Township High School.
"Vicki and Smack are both extremely good athletic trainers and represent the best of Lock Haven's athletic training program," Echevarria said. "I think they are great examples of the strong bond among Lock Haven's athletic training students, and I am very grateful for them to be able to share their knowledge and experience with me."
Lock Haven University is clearly doing something well with the positive benefit of former graduates inspiring and educating the next graduates. The work athletic trainers provide is indispensable to the athletes they work with and it is apparent Lock Haven is working to provide some of the best athletic trainers in Pennsylvania and beyond.
