Michigan Athletic Training Society

Is a state level professional organization for athletic trainers, athletic training students, and those who seek to promote the profession.  The objective of MATS is to advance, encourage and improve the Athletic Training profession in the state of Michigan through education, legislation, and other professional opportunities.

Areas of interest for athletic training students are:

• MATS Annual Meeting - held in June for both professional and student athletic trainers.
• Athletic Training MATS Student Scholarship - due annually at the end of March
• Serve on the MATS Committee for Early Career Advancement (CECA)
  • The student committee has been restructured over the 2021-2022 academic year. CECA is a merger of the Young Professional Committee (YPC) and the MATS Athletic Training Student Committee (ATSC).  The priority is to focus on how MATS can best serve students and young professional members.  The goal of combining the two committees is to better transition the early learner into practice and continue the transition from early practice to professional.  The new committee will strive to provide athletic training students and recent graduates opportunities in networking, career progression, engagement, and promote development socially and professionally within the field of athletic training.  For more information go to the MATS organization website and any questions can be sent to [email protected].
• Serve as the MATS Student Council on Early Career Athletic Trainers (CECAT) to GLATA
  • A select Michigan student(s) serving on MATS CECA will be also serving on GLATA CECAT. The student senate position requires an individual who possesses a positive attitude, displays a desire to participate and contribute, and is willing to represent students from the state of Michigan in a positive manner. Applicants must be willing to encourage students to become involved in the athletic training profession at any level, be informed of issues in athletic training that may affect students and future professionals, and participate in all functions required of a CECAT. At the district level, the student senators are primarily responsible for planning and implementing the GLATA Winter Meeting Student Education Program (SEP), encouraging students to attend the SEP from the state of Michigan, and learn the governance structure at the district and state level. At the state level, the Michigan student CECA will serve in an advisory capacity to the Athletic Training Student Committee and participate in executive council functions through MATS. 

Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association

GLATA (Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association) strives to enhance the quality of health care for the physically active, promote the athletic trainer and advance the profession of athletic training through education and research in the prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries. In 1950, NATA (National Athletic Trainers' Association) and District 4, GLATA, was established.  GLATA represents District 4 and (as of 2021) District 11 of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). District 4 is comprised of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio while District 11 is comprised of Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. As part of the federation of the 11 NATA districts, GLATA integrated with the national association, but operate independently with its own board and agenda. However, membership dues for District 4 and 11 are paid along with your NATA dues.

Areas of interest for students:

• GLATA Student Senator MATS representative (see above)
• GLATA Annual Symposium - they have a professional and student tracks held in March

There is no separate membership, you must be a member of NATA (See below).

National Athletic Trainers’ Association

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession. Founded in 1950, the NATA has grown to more than 43,000 members worldwide today. 

Areas of interest for students:

• NATA Annual Convention - For professional and Student Track
• Research Grants
• Scholarships
• NATA Student Resources - Connect, Resources and Ways to Get Involved.
• Career Center - Current Job Postings and Graduate Assistant positions.
• Early Professional Committee - was created to address the issues faced by athletic trainers within the first six years of initial certification as they begin in their careers.  The committee focuses on leadership, educational initiatives and professional/ethical values.
• Career Advancement Committee - was created to address issues affecting athletic trainers within seven to 12 years of initial certification as they advance in their careers from early professionals.  The committee focuses on work-life balance, career satisfaction, career growth and professional retention.
• Statements - Position, Official, Consensus, and Support Statements