Wendy Hughes, Class of 1996

My name is Wendy Hughes, and I am native of Waterford, Michigan, located approximately one hour northwest of Detroit. I knew since eighth grade when I had pre-patellar bursitis, that I was interested in sports medicine. I volunteered as a student athletic trainer during my senior year of high school with the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Ice Hockey team. I graduated from Waterford Mott High School in 1992. I was planning to go to another university with an accredited athletic training program until fall 1991, when I received an invitation to visit Hope College and meet with Dr. Richard Ray for an interview. I had not previously heard of Hope College and was curious. To my surprise, Hope College's campus and atmosphere were hidden gems. I knew Hope College was where I belonged.

I began my career at Hope in fall 1992. After two weeks of practicing my taping skills, I was reaping invaluable hands-on experience. While at Hope I worked with men's tennis, men's and women's cross country, volleyball, women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, and football. I also completed an internship at Zeeland High School. I also served as an Orientation Assistant in fall 1993 and 1994. In summer 1995, I was fortunate to complete an internship at the University of Notre Dame. My senior year, fall 1995, I worked with Dr. Ray and Meg Abfall '96 Frens to further previous research performed by Dr. Ray, Bob Toth '93, and Rob Farrell '93, regarding "Airway Management of the Cervical Spine Injured Football Player." Dr. Ray, Meg and I gave a poster presentation at the NATA Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, UT in June 1996.

After Hope, I began working in the clinic outreach setting at Orchard Lake St. Mary's Preparatory and College from fall 1996 through spring 2000. I was also contracted to Lake Orion High School from fall 2000 through spring 2001. In summer 2001, I was offered my current position as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Detroit Country Day School. I started my master's degree in Exercise Science at Oakland University in fall 2002. Upon completion, I plan to begin teaching and start my PhD. I hope that my next position will be an ATC/professor at the collegiate level. In December 2002, I began volunteering as an assistant athletic trainer with the Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League. I have also been a National Athletic Trainers' Association-BOC Certified Examiner since March 2002.

I chose Hope College on pure instinct. After my visit with Dr. Ray, I was determined that Hope was for me. I learned as much about myself, life, and De Zwaan (the windmill, Tulip Time 1994) as I did about athletic training and my role in sports medicine. I compare my experiences to those of my colleagues that matriculated from other universities, and I am grateful for the individual, hands-on, in-depth instruction not only in the athletic training program, but also throughout the college.

In conversations at conventions and elsewhere, when I mention that I graduated from Hope College, it never fails, fellow ATCs respond, "Oh, you're one of Rich's kids." I am never more proud and humble at the same time. I know that Dr. Richard Ray, Hope College and my education are well respected in the field and that I can only aspire to live up to that reputation. Hope College provided me with a learning atmosphere that was challenging, yet conducive; formal, yet stimulating. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to study at Hope College with Dr. Richard Ray. I am happily "one of Rich's kids."

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