Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine prepares students for dynamic careers at the intersection of healthcare and athletics. This program provides students with a technical foundation in kinesiology, injury rehabilitation, and exercise science. Students gain hands-on experience through job shadowing and real-world practice, developing essential skills in injury prevention and nutritional health. This course equips students for success in diverse medical and fitness environments.

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• Hands-on Activities- Students in the Sports Medicine class learn the "art and science" of athletic care by practicing essential skills like ankle taping, compression wrapping, and fitting crutches to peers. They also engage in high-stakes emergency simulations, where they learn CPR, assess on-field injuries, and perform neurological exams to check for concussions. 
• Real World Opportunities- Throughout the year, students will meet with professional guest speakers, visit physical therapy facilities, and job shadow industry experts.  
• Related Careers- Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer, Personal Trainer, Epidemiologist, Sports Nutritionist, Chiropractor, and many more.
• College Credit- Sports Medicine is a direct college credit program with Mid Michigan College. Students who successfully complete the program will earn the following credits:
  • HED 190-Introduction to Exercise Science (3 credits)
  • HED 115-Stress Management (2 credits)
  • HED 290-Athletic Training Principles (3 credits)

Instructor: Matt Spiess

Year Started at CCRESA: 2022

Work Experience in Career Field: Athletic Trainer, Rehabilitation Clinics, Sports Camps

What inspired you to teach in your program career field? After spending 16 years as an Athletic Trainer, I realized that one of the most rewarding parts of my career was mentoring younger professionals and educating athletes about injury prevention and rehabilitation. I saw firsthand how knowledge could empower people to take better care of their bodies and improve performance. In 2022, I transitioned into teaching sports medicine because I wanted to take that passion for education and multiply it by helping students build the skills, confidence, and critical thinking they’ll need in the sports medicine field. My inspiration comes from knowing that I can shape the next generation of professionals who will carry forward the same standards of care and dedication that guided me throughout my career.

What are some interests outside of the classroom? Spending time with family, friends, and dog, investing in personal finance planning, repairing cars, reading, traveling, cooking, exercising, exploring new places, trying new foods, and learning new skills.

How do you hope your students will remember you?  I hope my students will remember me as someone who cared about their growth, challenged them to think critically, and supported them in building confidence both in sports medicine and in life. I want them to see me not just as a teacher but as a mentor who encouraged resilience, curiosity, and compassion. Most of all, I hope they carry with them the mindset that “sometimes you win and sometimes you learn”, understanding that every experience, whether a success or setback, is an opportunity to grow.