By Sofie Schachter
UW–Madison alumna Erin Roberge was hired as a full-time assistant athletic trainer (AT) for the Green Bay Packers earlier this year. She is the first full-time female AT in Packers history.
Roberge graduated from the School of Education’s Department of Kinesiology in 2021 with a BS in athletic training. She began an internship with the Packers in 2020, and was hired full time in January 2023.
Following is a Q&A with Roberge about her time at UW–Madison and experience working for the Packers.
What drew you to UW–Madison? I was lucky enough to be able to follow my older sister, Rachel, to UW–Madison. Getting to visit her when she was a freshman showed me how great the city and school were and made the decision easy for me. I really loved the people, the city of Madison, and the quality of education I would receive there.
How did you decide to major in athletic training? While working as a student hourly in the sports medicine clinic at UW Athletics, I was inspired by the athletic trainers that were working there. I admired the relationships they formed with patients, their expertise, and their hard work. They helped me see how rewarding the profession can be. I’ve always had a passion for science and sports, and athletic training was a major that allowed me to combine those two.
What was the most pivotal moment in your experience at UW–Madison? When I got to work my first home football game at Wisconsin, I knew that it was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I loved athletic training, but that was when I knew my goal was going to be to work at the highest level. I loved the fast pace and expectation to always be at your best. The atmosphere was incredible and getting to watch Jump Around from the field at Camp Randall was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My entire time working as a student with Wisconsin football set me up for success and gave me lifelong memories.
How did the UW–Madison Athletic Training program influence who you are and where you are today? I was lucky to have great professors and preceptors that encouraged me to pursue a career in the NFL. My clinical rotation with football at Wisconsin prepared me for the demands of working at the professional level. I would not be in my position without their feedback, recommendations, and support throughout my education. I felt well prepared to start my career when I graduated because of the combination of classroom and clinical education.
What would you like to say to other UW–Madison students in athletic training — especially women in the field, who look up to you? Athletic training is a truly special profession and I am so excited for anyone wanting to start a career in it. ATs can be found in high schools, the military, industrial, and sports settings, so there are endless career opportunities to explore. The profession allows you to continue learning new things and growing every day. The path is never easy, but hard work and dedication will always pay off. I can’t wait to see more young women joining the profession and I hope to be working with them soon!
What does being an athletic trainer with the Packers entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day? Our typical schedule during the season is morning treatments and rehabilitation, which usually lasts two to three hours. Players then go to meetings and we use that time to catch up on documentation, planning rehabilitation programs, and office work. Then, we often have more pre-practice treatments and taping. During practice, our staff provides emergency coverage, hydration, and does on-field rehab with those who are not practicing. After practice, we will evaluate any injuries that may have occurred during practice and complete post-practice treatments. There are many other things we are responsible for throughout the season, but that is the basic outline of the day. While the schedule usually remains standard throughout the season, I like that every day usually brings new challenges or situations.
What do you enjoy most about being an athletic trainer? The best part about being an athletic trainer is getting to see athletes go back on the field for that first game or practice. I think the profession is unique because you see that person daily from the time they are injured and throughout their whole rehabilitation. You get to build a relationship with them because you spend several hours with them every day, which just makes it that much more special when they are back to playing the sport they love.
What has been the most difficult part of your career as an athletic trainer? I unfortunately started my career right as the COVID-19 pandemic was at its worst. It was a challenge to ATs because it meant taking on a larger role in the form of disease prevention and management for your team. At the same time, you had to limit seeing family and friends. The combination of more responsibilities and lack of normalcy was definitely a challenge. I learned a great deal from the experience, but it was a difficult time for anyone working in a medical profession to find a balance.
How does it feel to be the first full-time female athletic trainer for the Packers? It’s very surreal. To me, it just feels like doing my job every day. Sometimes it is hard to wrap my head around the historic nature of it, but I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received since. I’ve always had strong female role models in my life to look up to and it is an adjustment to see myself as one too.
What is your favorite part about working for the Packers? My favorite part is the people I get to work with every day. The players, coaches, and other staff members I get to work with are all incredibly talented and fun to be around. It makes the long days go by quickly and makes me love coming into work every day. Of course, I am also lucky to have gotten a job with the team I’ve always cheered for, which makes the job that much better.