A heart on fire for athletic training

Molly Mattson

By Hanna Knowles

A heart on fire for athletic training

An internship with the Seattle Seahawks solidified her love for the field

Inspired by a life-changing encounter with an athletic trainer during her collegiate sports journey, Molly Mattson, ’24, unearthed her true passion and professional destiny.

“My athletic trainer was an unconditional source of support and hope. I want to pass on this same compassion and service,” says Molly, a former NCAA student-athlete at Central Washington University, where she excelled in both cross country and track and field.

This experience ignited a spark for the field, which was fueled by a mentor impressed by OSU’s Master of Athletic Training (MATrn) program and its “sense of family and standard of excellence.” They encouraged Molly to apply, and she made good on their recommendation.

As a student, she discovered transformative support, which has prepared her to make her own impact in the world of athletic training.

“Oregon State is a community that challenges me and supports me,” she says, “I belong here, and I’m proud to be a Beaver.”

Internship with the Seattle Seahawks

During summer 2023, Molly gained invaluable practical experience as a summer athletic training intern with the Seattle Seahawks. CJ Neumann, ’09, associate athletic trainer with the Seahawks and a graduate of OSU’s former bachelor’s in athletic training program, served as her preceptor.

“Molly was a leader in her group of interns,” CJ says. “She was proactive in taking on tasks, engaged in her work and learning, and asked great questions, all of which displayed her investment in growing as a young professional.”

Molly says her internship taught her the importance of building trust in patient-athletic trainer relationships and the power of a strong, supportive culture.

“I love working with athletic training interns because it is the best way I can have a direct impact on young athletic trainers and athletic training students. Due to the ties between our staff and Oregon State, I like to have at least one OSU student in our intern group each year. It’s a small way to give back and support the OSU program I came out of.”

-CJ Neumann, ’09
Associate athletic trainer, Seattle Seahawks

“As an athletic trainer, you see people at their greatest and most vulnerable moments. It’s vital to be a person the athlete trusts,” she says. “I left the internship with a heart on fire for serving others and inspired to build a culture like the one at the Seattle Seahawks.”

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Two smiling women sitting in the Seahawk's water truck at a sporting event.

A solid foundation shapes a bright future

Hands-on-learning, supported by a strong academic base, shapes her approach to athletic training and powers her success.

“The faculty and staff put a great deal of work into the process of accreditation

and ensure we fully address topics and show proficiency in the skills necessary to be an athletic trainer who provides high-quality health care,” she says.

Their work has paid off.

Molly showcased her knowledge and represented OSU in the Northwest AT Koto-Steele Quiz Bowl in 2023, where her team won the regional competition, reinforcing the high standards and expertise instilled by OSU’s MATrn faculty.

Now an intern athletic trainer for Gonzaga University, Molly aspires to become a collegiate football athletic trainer — a goal bolstered by her internship with the Seahawks.

Related stories

  • Discover how Oregon State University's athletic training program fosters excellence through its 50-year legacy, master's degree curriculum, and focus on athlete well-being. Learn about career paths and student success stories.

  • From NCAA athlete to Seattle Seahawks intern: Follow Molly Mattson's journey through OSU's Master of Athletic Training program toward her dream career in sports medicine.