CU-Lock Haven athletic training student receives hands-on experience through clinicals and full immersion internship
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (11/21/2025) — Before attending Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, recent athletic training graduate, Brendan Carter, received a bachelor's de3gree in exercise science from CU-Bloomsburg. Carter, of Warminster, spent most of his time playing multiple sports throughout high school and playing men's club volleyball at CU-Bloomsburg. His interest in medicine and sports influenced him to pursue a career in athletic training.
Throughout his two years in CU-Lock Haven's athletic training program he participated in many hands-on clinical experiences with State College Area High School fall sports, Lock Haven men's and women's basketball, Lycoming College football, Lock Haven's rehabilitation clinic and a full immersion internship at Georgetown University. During those experiences he was exposed to chronic and acute injuries, as well as environmental illnesses.
Carter's final clinical placement was his full immersion internship at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Georgetown is a NCAA Division I school and a member of the Big East Conference. He spent his time with Georgetown's men's basketball and lacrosse. Under the supervision of licensed athletic trainers Ben Reisz LAT, ATC, NASM-CES and Erin Pettinger MS Ed, ATC, CES, his duties consisted of evaluating and diagnosing orthopedic injuries, providing hands on treatment, taking student-athletes through exercise prescriptions and communicating effectively with his preceptors.
The immersion experience provided Carter with new rehabilitation techniques, decision making opportunities, collaboration with other healthcare professionals like physical therapists, medical doctors and travel opportunities.
While at Georgetown, Carter was afforded the opportunity to advocate for the athletic training profession on a national level. During the spring 2025 semester, he attended the NATA Leadership Fly-In in Washington, DC. He and other athletic trainers took meetings with staffers for Congressman Jeff Van Drew and Congressman Donald Norcross. During these meetings the staffers of the Congressmen, Carter and other athletic trainers spoke about the current state of the athletic training profession, the abilities and attributes current athletic trainers attain and extended invitations to participate in future opportunities that could move the profession forward.
"Getting to be at Georgetown was an amazing experience," Carter said. "Getting to experience Division I athletics was a dream come true. I was able to grow so much as a person and professional during my time at Georgetown University. I am so grateful to have gotten to work with my preceptors, the sports medicine staff and student-athletes at Georgetown."
Speaking about his time at the NATA Leadership Fly-In, Carter said, "Having the opportunity to advocate for the athletic training profession on a national level was an experience I won't forget, and I look forward to continue advocating for the profession regionally and nationally."
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