YSU, Phantoms Partner for Training Internship

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Phantoms have launched a partnership with Youngstown State University’s athletic training master’s program, allowing a student to work as a trainer with the hockey team.

The athletic training program is in its first full year and is just the second graduate-level of its kind in the state. As part of the curriculum, students must complete field work dueling their five semesters in the program, said the program’s director, Dr. Jessica Wallace

“Our collaboration with the Youngstown Phantoms provides our students a unique opportunity to work with ice hockey, a sport that is not common in many athletic training programs,” Wallace said in a release.

The intern will work directly with Joe Zidar, the Phantoms’ head trainer. Zidar is a license athletic trainer in Ohio and Pennsylvania and also works UPMC Sports Medicine.

“We are thrilled as an organization to offer this type of hands-on experience to students,” said Phantoms Co-Owner Aafke Loney.  “Joe’s previous experience as an athletic trainer with Thiel College and his experience with our hockey team and the United States Hockey League will provide excellent resources for the growth and real world education of these interns.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.