We would love to showcase what our athletic training alumni are up to these days! Please take a moment to fill out a brief questionnaire. Responses will be posted on our social media pages to demonstrate the rich traditional that NAU athletic training has and strives to continue. Attention NAU Athletic Training Alumni:

Click Here for questionnaire

The Blue and Gold Athletic Trainers Association

In the simplest sense, the Blue and Gold Athletic Trainers are an alumni group of those who went through the NAU athletic training education program, both when it was an internship program and as an approved curriculum. But that does not paint the entire picture of the uniqueness of this group. As most alumni groups formed due to a common alma mater, the Blue and Gold formed over friendship.

It began with Mike Nesbitt's first athletic training students in the early 1970's and continues to this day. Students would work in the NAU athletic training room together and become friends. Assistant athletic trainers and graduate assistants would become part of this group. Alumni would return and get to know the current students and the bonds of friendship would begin.

Sometimes it was just called "the family."

After several decades, this evolved into a group that would get together informally to catch up and enjoy each other's company. While the Blue and Gold has a strong interest in athletic training at NAU, it is more about the people than the institution. Members of the Blue and Gold find a group that provides support, both professionally and personally, in good times and bad. It is what friends do.

Becoming part of this group enhances one's career and life. While one can certainly succeed without such a group, athletic training is much more rewarding and fun with the Blue and Gold. Now, some four decades on, the young and the old still share their experiences and give each other support. And friendship, always friendship.

-Matt J. Webber, ATC