SUNY Cortland Ranked No. 10 Nationally in Sports Medicine

11/21/2017 

Whether it’s athletic training, exercise science, coaching, sport studies or fitness development, SUNY Cortland’s Kinesiology Department offers its students top-notch learning opportunities.

That commitment to excellence was recognized recently by CollegeChoice.net, which ranked the College’s undergraduate program in sports medicine No. 10 among colleges from across the nation. CollegeChoice.net lauded SUNY Cortland for its student research, student-run clubs and organizations such as the Athletics Trainers Club and study abroad programs in England, Germany and Australia.

The criteria used by CollegeChoice.net started with academic reputation and student retention. Information used in the study came from The National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. News & World Report and PayScale.

Within the past five years, several undergraduate students have conducted research and presented on topics including the College’s AlterG anti-gravity treadmill, 5-hour energy drinks and Parkinson’s Disease at local, state, regional and national conferences. Students in each of SUNY Cortland’s kinesiology programs have the opportunity to participate in professionally-related internships and practicums in the areas of sports medicine, physical/occupational therapy clinics, fitness centers, strength and conditioning venues, college-level coaching and youth sport organizations. Each year, the department supports more than 50 students through off-campus transformational experiences. There are in excess of 500 options for students to choose from in practical experience that fits their professional goals.   

SUNY Cortland has a long history with and a commitment to athletic training. The College is home to the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association (NYSATA) Hall of Fame and will host the annual NYSATA conference in June 2018.

Bert R. Mandelbaum ’75, M.D., who has served as a team physician with U.S. Soccer and as assistant medical director of Major League Soccer, has financially supported and returned to campus to speak at SUNY Cortland’s Sports Medicine Symposium.

The College’s kinesiology students do well in the classroom and beyond. A recent study of athletic training graduates from 2014 to 2017 found that 96 percent graduated on time and 90 percent of those graduates were employed as athletic trainers or were employed as athletic trainers while pursuing an additional degree. 

For more information, visit the Kinesiology Department online.