Amy Schmiesing is New Head Athletic Trainer

Published Wednesday, December 01, 2021

Amy Schmiesing

Amy Schmiesing is the new Head Athletic Trainer at SMSU, and she’s ready to continue the outstanding leadership shown by her predecessor, Laura Crowell.

Schmiesing is a 2015 graduate of SMSU, with a master's degree in education. She was a graduate assistant for athletic training for two years and really enjoyed the position, the university, and the community. “The community of Marshall is really close — everyone is involved in your success. I appreciate the staff so much, their willingness to adapt is amazing,” she said.

Prior to returning to SMSU, she worked at a therapy clinic.

She played volleyball at South Dakota State before suffering a career-ending shoulder injury, and that experience led her to her current profession. “I worked with an athletic trainer after my injury, and she thought that I had the personality for it. I looked into it, and here I am!”

Athletic trainers’ responsibilities include the recognition and treatment of injuries, acute care, rehabilitation, management of athletes on and off the field, and organization/administrative work (COVID-19 testing and tracing, return to play protocols, etc). When hiring athletic trainers, Schmiesing looks for the qualities of a strong work ethic, adaptability, creativity, and flexibility.

Crowell resigned from her position as head trainer in July of 2021. Schmiesing worked under Crowell as a graduate assistant, and their relationship blossomed. “Laura had asked me to take over as the head athletic trainer after she announced her retirement. She’s been a mentor for me during this transition.”

Schmiesing highlighted some of her favorite things about the athletic training profession: the ever-changing environment, learning new techniques, and meeting new athletes. SMSU currently has 466 athletes, with six athletic trainers. That’s about 77 athletes per trainer. Although the staff is lean, a challenge has never been something that Schmiesing has shied away from.

“I love competing to keep an athlete doing what they love,” she said. “My internal drive is what makes this job fun; I'm always competing for my athletes.”

Schmiesing wants to ensure that athletes have a positive experience, both physically and mentally. She knows that those factors can help with student-athlete retention.

“I have big shoes to fill,” Schmiesing says. “Laura had been here for a long time, and she’s left her stamp on this place. I’m ready to build something and leave my stamp, too.”