Emily Zadny
Contributing Writer
In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, North Central College recognized four female athletic trainers for their work with female athletes, both on the field and in the training room.
Sara Furlette-Koski, Taylor Arman-Babula, Brittany James, and Christine Spear all received the Cleo Tanner Award for Outstanding Contributions to North Central College Women’s Athletics. The honor, first awarded in 2006, acknowledges the individual or individuals whose work has positively influenced women’s athletics.
A luncheon awards ceremony for female student athletes, faculty, and coaching staff, was held at Wentz Concert Hall Tuesday, Feb 3.
Mary Kate Rohn, one of the members of the planning committee, helped organize the special day for the women.
“This event is so special because it celebrates the accomplishments of not only female athletes, but those women that have contributed to the world of women’s sports,” said Rohn. “It is important to recognize the accomplishments of strong women.”
“The event is also meaningful because all of the female student-athletes, coaches, some administrators, and us graduate assistants get together to celebrate and commemorate the achievements of North Central College women’s athletics and those who have contributed greatly to the programs,” Rohn added.
As a Cardinal female athlete myself, I am proud to introduce the winners of this year’s award, all of whom are outstanding role models and inspirations to North Central athletes.
“Find your passion, challenge authority, speak up for yourself, and push the envelope!” –Sara Furlette-Koski
In her second year with the Cardinals’ athletic training department, Furlette-Koski has made an impact on the football, women’s basketball, and women’s lacrosse teams.
After completing her bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science with an emphasis in athletic training from Oregon State University in 2001 and her master’s degree in athletic training in the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Western Michigan in 2004, she went on to be the head athletic trainer at Albion College in Michigan in 2006.
Furlette-Koski and the other trainers serve as role models to the students at North Central and find inspiration in their daily routine as athletic trainers.
“The daily interactions with all of our student-athletes are what drive us, as athletic trainers, to be better people,” she said. “We are surrounded by amazing young female athletes and talented female coaches that inspire us to meet each day with a renewed sense of compassion and quality in the care we provide as athletic trainers.”
“I think the most important thing I learned is the importance of confidence and hard work that can be developed throughout your time as an athlete. It’s something you can take with you throughout all aspects of life.” –Taylor Arman-Babula
A 2009 graduate of North Central College, Arman-Babula found herself back home in 2011 working as a contract athletic trainer, primarily with the Women’s volleyball, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Lacrosse teams.
She also serves as the advisor to the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association Student Congress, is a member of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association Education Committee and the advisor to the Cardinal Athletic Training Student Club at North Central.
“When I was a student at North Central College, I always dreamed of coming back and working here and I did not think it would happen as my first job out of graduate school,” Arman-Babula said. “It is one of the most competitive Division III schools and the student athletes are great work with. Their motivation and competitive spirit is inspiring; I get to work with great coaching staffs that allow me to truly utilize my skills as an athletic trainer.”
“Support your fellow athletes, really enjoy each others success. Really enjoy the time you have to just work with a group of people towards a common goal.” –Brittany James
James joined the North Central College athletic training staff as a graduate assistant prior to the start of the 2013-2014 school year. While at North Central, she covers Men’s Soccer, Wrestling, and Baseball.
She graduated from North Central College in the spring of 2010 with a degree in athletic training, and was a member of the women’s basketball team for four years. After graduation, James went on to be an athletic trainer at York High School in Elmhurst, IL for three years.
“The Athletic Training staff, as well as the athletics community, has truly been a great part of getting to come back to North Central College,” she said. “Just having the opportunity to work with people who help you grow, and really care about what they do has been such a treasured experience for me.”
“It takes hard work, discipline, sacrifice, determination, and teamwork to compete on the platform of collegiate athletics. Women need to take all of those traits into their personal lives and professional careers and continue to push for equality to further themselves and future generations.” –Christine Spear
Spear began at North Central College as an outreach athletic trainer for Athletico in the fall of 2012 and serves as a preceptor for North Central College’s undergraduate athletic training program. She works with the women’s soccer, women’s tennis and men’s basketball teams.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Eastern Illinois University in 2010.
“To think that I am included with the exceptional women from previous years is humbling and a privilege; to know that coaches, staff members, and athletes have noticed our hard work over the years to provide exceptional care and treatment for our athletes is encouraging,” said Spear. “It is also an opportunity because it drives me to work harder, learn more, and better myself as a woman and health care professional.”
