Staff Spotlight: Megan Guicheteau

3/10/2021 10:43:00 AM

By: Evan Shomo

March is National Athletic Training Month. The month is held to spread awareness about the important and essential work of athletic trainers. TCNJ Athletics will be spotlighting its hard-working and dedicated athletic training staff throughout March.

First up is TCNJ Head Athletic Trainer Megan Guicheteau. Guicheteau has been the Head Athletic Trainer at TCNJ since 2008, and has served The College since 1999.

You are now in your 21^st year at TCNJ. What initially drew you to The College? What is it about The College that keeps you coming back?

I wanted to come here because TCNJ had a graduate assistantship in Athletic Training as well as a Master of the Arts in Health Education program that I wanted to complete. It was also close to home, and Joe Camillone, who was the Head Athletic Trainer at the time was really well-known in the field of athletic training. I wanted to learn from him.
The athletes and staff are what keep me coming back. I always say I wouldn't leave TCNJ to do athletic training any place else. I love the work I do and the people I am with every day. I know how fortunate I am to like coming to work every day.

How did you get into athletic training originally?

I got into athletic training when I was an injured high school athlete. My high school athletic trainer was an awesome guy. He had an athletic training club to help him out and promote the profession. I joined my freshman year and even went to a couple athletic training camps my junior and senior year of high school.

What are your favorite parts about athletic training?

My absolute favorite part is helping the athletes achieve their goals. It is so exciting to see someone coming out of surgery who can't do a straight leg raise or do a full rotation on a stationary bike be able to do those things for the first time and watch as they return to full activity. I love being a part of that journey and cheering them on as they go.
I also love the memories and experiences I share with the athletes. I had a couple of field hockey players that I worked with a lot throughout their four years at TCNJ, especially their freshman year. That freshman year, the team won the National Championship, and I got two of the seniors' names engraved in my ring. As a joke, those freshmen said: "When we're seniors and we win the championship, you have to get our names in your ring". Nothing much was said about it over the years we worked together, but I was so honored to be with them when they won the National Championship their senior year. I had worked with them through so many struggles over their careers, and I did end up getting their names engraved in my championship ring. Those are experiences you don't get in a lot of other healthcare professions and they're memories that stay with you for a lifetime. I have so many of them to reflect on and they are such a huge part of the happiness in my life.

What is it like getting to work with TCNJ student-athletes on a daily basis?

I think it keeps me feeling young(ish). I joke with people that I get paid to hang out with college kids all day. I love getting to know them and their personalities. I love helping guide them through young adulthood and sharing life experiences with them. It's not just athletics and healthcare here. It's also learning how to thrive while living independently for the first time. There are lots of teaching moments about things like learning from mistakes and good communication skills that will be helpful throughout life.

Who are the people who have helped you the most in your career?

Mark "Chip" Cherwony, who was my athletic trainer at Cinnaminson High School, started me on this career path, so I will forever be grateful to him for his support and guidance. His love for the profession definitely showed and led me toward a career that I love as well.
Joe Camillone definitely helped me the most in my career. I started with him straight out of college with not much experience, and he was always there to guide and support me. He encouraged me to be independent while always being there to help me along the way. I was so fortunate to work with him for eight years before taking over the Head Athletic Trainer position. Those were definitely some big shoes to fill.
All of my co-workers have helped along the way as well, and I'm so thankful for my time with Serg Monasterski, Jon Laing, and Loreen Ryan.

Outside of athletic training, what do you think people would find interesting about your day-to-day life?

I'm not sure my life is really that interesting. I have a typical mom life when I'm not here. I'm running my girls to dance or soccer or lacrosse. I am helping coach my daughter's lacrosse team this year for the first time, so wish me luck! Hopefully all of those practices and games I've watched will help me out.

What do you find most special about the TCNJ community?

The TCNJ community is everywhere. That's what I think is most special. I see people out and about everywhere wearing TCNJ gear. People are so proud to be a part of this community and carry it with them wherever they go.

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