U of A alumna Mariellen Veach was recently hired as an assistant athletic trainer for the NFL's Chicago Bears, fulfilling a long-time ambition.

"I try to never take a day of work for granted and remind myself often that I am literally living my dream," she said.

Veach said being part of the U of A graduate athletic training program fortified her goal. "The professors in my program created an environment that allowed for learning in the classroom and then application of those skills at each clinical site," she said.

Highly skilled preceptors guided Veach as she applied her knowledge and skills in a variety of settings, including U of A football and gymnastics, at local high schools and at outpatient clinics. These intensive, hands-on experiences boosted her confidence and trained her to make quick decisions, a crucial skill for an athletic trainer.

Veach said every day with the Bears is different, especially during football season. Mornings are usually reserved for rehabilitation of injured players. After the inevitable administrative work, she helps prepare non-injured players for practice through preventative tape application (mostly ankles and wrists), stretching, activation exercises and manual therapy. During practice, she provides medical coverage and hydration on the field. The day typically wraps up with a few hours of post-practice treatment.

Veach, who won a variety of scholarships, grants and awards before graduating from the U of A in 2018, is still in regular communication with her fellow athletic training students.

"Being a part of the Masters of Athletic Training cohort meant that I had all of my classes and clinical rotations with the same group of people," she said. "It allowed us all to become very close friends. We often reach out to each other for advice or to bounce ideas off one another about complicated or unique situations we encounter in our careers.

"My classmates, professors and clinical preceptors from the U of A are some of my greatest advocates."

Retiring program director Jeff Bonacci, who shared that Veach had been hired by the Bears, said she was among the top students he's had the pleasure of teaching in 22 years at the U of A. He said he's thrilled that she's accomplished this personal, meaningful goal.

Veach, who's originally from O'Fallon, Illinois, married a year ago. She and her husband, Michael, live in the northern suburbs of Chicago. When she's not taking care of Bears athletes, she likes to work out, spend time with friends and family, cook and watch sports.

Her long-term goal is the be a head athletic trainer in the NFL.

"I feel extremely blessed to get to work for such a historic franchise, doing what I love," she said. "I hope that other women see me on the field or on TV during games and are inspired to chase after their dreams."