West Chester Area SD Athletic Trainer: Outstanding Preceptor

WEST CHESTER, PA —West Chester Area School District Athletic Trainer Mark Grothmann was awarded the Outstanding Preceptor of the Year at the 2022 Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society (PATS) Convention in Harrisburg.

Grothmann was recognized for his commitment to student learning and exceptional clinical preceptorship.

While Grothmann has held many different roles over 40 years from traveling with athletic teams to working with ESPN, he finds working with students, both on teams and as a professional mentor, to be the most fulfilling.

“I have worked at West Chester East High School for 20 years, and, in that time, I’ve been able to help students prevent sports injuries, work on the successful rehabilitation of injuries, and be part of a dedicated team that continuously works to help students reach their potential on and off the field,” he said.

Grothmann also dedicates his time to mentoring students from West Chester University who are interested in athletic training and sports medicine. He helps students connect with professionals and provides individual attention, hands-on experiences, and feedback during each mentorship opportunity.

“I know how tough it can be when someone is just starting in their career or exploring whether or not this work might be for them, and as a mentor, I have the honor of helping them shape their future,” said Grothmann.

West Chester East High School’s Director of Athletics, Susan Cornelius said Grothmann’s award is well-deserved.
“Mark’s commitment to the students currently under his care and the future of athletic training and sports medicine is truly inspiring,” Cornelius said.