Athletic Training Student Scholarships & Awards
Students who qualify are awarded scholarships and other benefits. Awards are reviewed each semester and are based on clinical and academic performance. Students who qualify are awarded scholarships and other benefits such as campus meals, on campus parking, and athletic training clothing. The most notable awards and scholarships that highlight the achievements of our students are the following:
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Robert Watkins & Mary Swartz Athletic Training Student Achievement Award
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Denise O'Mara Advocacy Award
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Clinical Preceptor of the Year
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1971 Softball Team Memorial Scholarship in Athletic Training
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Frank Randall Distinguished Athletic Training Student Award
This award has been established in honor of former Head Athletic Trainer, Frank Randall, who served in this role at ISU for 29 years. The award is presented to the athletic training student who most exemplifies dedication, strong work ethic, accountability, and excellence in the field of athletic training.
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2026 Frank Randall Distinguished ATS Recipient
Morgan Severseike
Robert Watkins and Mary Swartz Athletic Training Student Achievement Award
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After students have completed two semesters in the program, they can apply for the Robert Watkins and Mary Swartz Athletic Training Achievement Award. This award was established by Bill Watkins, a former athletic training student at Iowa State University, in honor of his parents. The application deadline is February 25th of the application year. The award recipients are announced at the Kinesiology Spring Awards Banquet and the Athletic Training Education Program Annual Banquet. (Download Robert Watkins and Mary Swartz Athletic Training Achievement Award Application HERE).
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2026 Robert Watkins and Mary Swartz ATS Achievement Recipients
Maddie Brey and Luke Payer
Unsung Hero Award Sponsored by Bill Watkins
This award is given to one student, selected by staff who demonstrates, on a daily basis, the qualities of becoming a leading AT, but is not necessarily in the spotlight of the program.
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2026 Unsung Hero Recipient
Christian Lundvall
Denise O'Mara Advocacy Award
This award is given out in honor of an outstanding athletic trainer, mentor, and advocate of the profession. Denise's lifelong passion, love, and enthusiasm for athletic training, student-athletes, and her colleagues was something everyone truly valued and has set the standard for future generations to emulate. This award is presented to the student athletic trainer who most embodies these selfless traits and shares the same love and passion for the field of athletic training Denise brought to ISU for 32 years. ​
2026 Denise O'Mara Advocacy Award Recipient
Khalil Jeter
Tom Johnson Memorial Athletic Training Student Scholarship
This scholarship was established by many Iowa State Athletic Training alums in memory of Tom Johnson. Tom attended Iowa State from 1985-1990, serving as an athletic training student for football, basketball, swimming, tennis and baseball. After graduation, Tom was a high school athletic trainer in Texas for a number of years before furthering his education in technology integration, where he continued his work in the secondary school setting.
This $1,000 scholarship is presented to an Iowa State Athletic Training Student who exemplifies dedication to athletic training and a passion for helping people . Recipients will be selected through an application process.
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2026 Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Selena Pineda-Martinez
William Piehl & Alfred Klein Athletic Training Scholarship
Sponsored by Scott Piehl
This scholarship has been established to support students enrolled in the Department of Kinesiology. Intent is to honor the grandparents of Iowa State Athletic Training alum Scott Piehl; so that their names will live on well into the future. The training and education that Scott received contributed greatly to his career and he is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the college and program that afforded his success.
This $1,000 scholarship is presented to an Iowa State Athletic Training Student(s) who exemplifies dedication to athletic training and a passion for helping people.
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2026 William Piehl & Alfred Klein AT Scholarship Recipient
Jack Eckstein
2026 William Piehl & Alfred Klein AT Scholarship Recipient
Ravi Thakkar
Preceptor of the Year Award
This award recognizes a Clinical Preceptor who has dedicated their valuable time and energy ensuring athletic training students have a positive and educational clinical experience. The recipient is selected via nomination or recommendation from athletic training students or faculty. ​
2026 Preceptor of the Year Award Recipient
Jessica Drenth M.Ed, LAT, ATC
Gymnastics
1971 Softball Team Memorial Scholarship in Athletic Training
Established by Christine Green who graduated from Iowa State University (ISU) in 1974 with a B.S. degree in Physical Education for women. What Chris wanted to study was Athletic Training. This was not a course of study available to women in the early 1970's, but that did not stop Chris from learning everything she could from athletic trainers she worked with as a student manager. She hopes to inspire women pursuing the same career today and help students achieve their educational goals, recognizing that without similar help, she wouldn't have achieved her goals. Chris was a part of many teams at ISU as a manager, however, being a part of Iowa State University's very first softball team in 1971 was incredibly special. The strong and meaningful relationships that she created through softball and many other teams contributed to her desire and experience to be an athletic trainer.
The 1971 Softball Team Memorial
Scholarship in Athletic Training for 2026 Recipient
Kylee Valencia
The 1971 Softball Team Memorial
Scholarship in Athletic Training for 2026 Recipient
Lorelei Kotwasinski
National Athletic Trainer's Association Scholarships
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association offers a number of cash scholarships and sponsors an article-writing contest for undergraduate and graduate student athletic trainers. Information can be obtained by contacting the NATA office. All qualified students are encouraged to apply for these opportunities.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
2952 Stemmons, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75247
1-214-637-6282
1-800-TRY-NATA (879-6282)
1-214-637-2206 (FAX)
Letter Winner Awards
If the athletic training student has fulfilled all clinical proficiencies, competency requirements, academic responsibilities, and following the completion of the athletic training student’s first year in the Masters of Athletic Training Program, they are eligible for an Iowa State University letter. The Program Director and staff Athletic Trainers must approve the student. Following completion of the MAT program and sitting for the BOC Certification Examination,the student is eligible to receive an Iowa State Letter Winner’s Ring.
