The Lebanon Valley College Athletic Training staff cares for more than 600 student-athletes, helping them stay healthy and return to competition after injuries.
As part of our celebration of National Athletic Training Month, we invite you to learn more about these critical members of our Flying Dutchmen team!
Chuck Yasinski—Associate Director of Sports Medicine
Chuck has been a certified Athletic Trainer for more than 30 years, including nine at The Valley.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
CY: Helping people! There's nothing better than relieving someone's pain or helping them return to play after an injury.
Q: What do you like best about working at LVC?
CY: The people! I always see someone I recognize walking or biking across campus. Getting a friendly "hello" or wave is a good feeling!
Q: When you're not working at LVC, where would we find you?
CY: Probably playing cornhole in my yard with my dog, Bo, nearby.
Vicki Liebl—Associate Athletic Trainer
Vicki has been an Athletic Trainer for eight years and arrived at The Valley this month.
Q: What inspired you to become an Athletic Trainer?
VL: I was a cheerleader for eight years and was always at sporting events —once I found out about athletic training, my high school Athletic Trainer took me under her wing, and I worked as her student aide. I never looked back!
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
VL: Getting to make a difference in the lives of others and getting athletes back to the sports they love.
Q: When you're not working at LVC, where would we find you?
VL: At home, hanging out with my kids and husband.
Mike Welgosh—Assistant Athletic Trainer
Mike, who is new to The Valley this year, has been an Athletic Trainer for 15 years and shares how he launched his career.
"I had an experience in high school with an Athletic Trainer that turned out to be more impactful than I would have initially acknowledged, which brought my awareness to the profession. I then had an unplanned opportunity when I was nearly 30 years old and already in graduate school to pursue my AT degree, and ultimately, I did.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
MW: Developing relationships with student-athletes and challenging them to see their identity beyond athletics. This profession allows me the opportunity to use my gift of service to impact others by helping them overcome an unforeseen challenge in their life.
Q: When you're not working at LVC, where would we find you?
MW: Serving in my community, walking or hiking, and reading.
Brittany Kelly—Assistant Athletic Trainer
Brittany arrived at LVC in 2021 and has been an Athletic Trainer for five years.
Q: What inspired you to become an Athletic Trainer?
BK: I have always had an interest in helping others, but I was never really sure how and what I could do. When I was in middle school, I decided I wanted to work for the Philadelphia Flyers, but I wasn't sure how. In high school, I went to a technical high school where you can explore different career paths and study one for four years, I explored Sports Medicine/Athletic Training, and I absolutely fell in love with it! It was a perfect mix of helping others while being creative and solving puzzles while also being around the sports I love.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
BK: The first would be getting to know the athletes and becoming a part of the team's family/community that they create. I work with five teams, and each squad's sense of family and community is slightly different and unique. How they accept me and allow me to be a part of their families or community is quite special. The second would be the impact I make on the athletes. Unfortunately, we see athletes at their absolute worst when they are injured, so working with them from that initial setback to seeing them get back to their sport and the level they were at before is awesome to watch and very rewarding because I know that I helped them get there.
Q: What do you like best about working at LVC?
BK: The thing I love most about LVC is its community. Everyone at LVC is so supportive and helpful. Everyone is willing to stop and help someone else who may need it. There is a strong sense of camaraderie; we are all here to help each other and accomplish a common goal, which is really cool.
Carly Kleintop '22, M'23—Assistant Athletic Trainer
Carly Kleintop '22, M'23, graduated from LVC and joined the staff in August 2023.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
CK: My favorite part of the job is seeing an athlete rehab an injury and return to their sport stronger and better than before. I love seeing the progress my athletes make!
Q: What do you like best about working at LVC?
CK: My student-athletes and co-workers are the best parts of working at LVC. The atmosphere in the AT clinic is wonderful because of my athletes and their appreciation for everything we do.
