By HEIDI KNAKE
UNK Graduate Studies
KEARNEY – Most people try to avoid uncomfortable situations.
Ethan Twohig embraces them, because he knows growth will come from it.
“UNK is going to push you,” Twohig said. “You’re going to have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
The upcoming Master of Athletic Training (MAT) graduate credits the program’s hands-on experiences with preparing him for success, even though he admits it can be uncomfortable.
“You learn the best by doing,” he said. “Faculty really push us to do that, which at the time is a little uncomfortable, but now I’m way more confident with my skills going into the real world.”
Through those experiences, the Holdrege native developed new skills and formed long-lasting relationships. He’s one of eight MAT graduates who will be recognized at Friday’s summer commencement ceremony.
Twohig’s journey in the program began during his undergraduate years at UNK. Thanks to the university’s accelerated program, he earned both a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in athletic training in just five years.
“The accelerated program was huge for me,” he said. “Being able to shave a year off but still finish with the degree that I wanted was great.”
Twohig first learned of the accelerated program during a campus visit as a high school student. There, he met associate professor and program director Kazuma Akehi.
“He’s the reason that I came to UNK,” Twohig said. “He’s funny, very intelligent, and when I find myself in real-world situations, I ask myself, ‘If I was in front of Dr. Kaz, what would I do?’ Dr. Kaz would tell me to take a deep breath, take my time and be right.”
The MAT program provides ample opportunity for Twohig to ask himself that question.
He spent multiple semesters on the sidelines of UNK football, soccer and basketball games, putting his athletic training skills to the test. In the fall, he spent an entire month at Hastings College assisting their athletic trainer with all the campus sports programs.
“UNK is a little bit smaller, which allows you a lot of experiences that I don’t think you’d get at a bigger school,” he said. “The athletes and faculty trust us and let us go for it, of course with supervision. It was great to be able to work hands on with athletes and help them get better.”
Twohig credits the hands-on experience he gained with playing a key role in his acceptance into the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s physical therapy program. There, he’s sure to continue to face challenges that push him out of his comfort zone and help him grow in his field.
Uncomfortable isn’t the only word Twohig uses to describe the MAT program at UNK. He also admits that he truly enjoyed it.
“The fun outweighed the hard work,” he said. “There were a lot of late nights studying and a lot of practicing taping ankles or special tests on friends, but it’s all worth it in the end.”
