Pearson named GPAC Athletic Trainer Of The Year

CRETE, NEB. - Doane University is getting some recognition in the first ever GPAC Athletic Trainer of the Year award. 

Doane Athletic Trainer Ethan Pearson has won the honor, becoming the initial recipient. Pearson is Director of Sports Medicine at Doane, a position he took over in July 2019. He has served as an Athletic Trainer for the Tigers since August 2016. 

Pearson oversees a department that is responsible for 23 athletics programs and more than 600 student-athletes. He directly covers the sports of football, men's & women's wrestling, and men's & women's tennis for the Tigers.

He was instrumental in updating and implementing the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) guidelines for Doane University and the GPAC. The guidelines outline policies and procedures to follow during heat and cold, along with thunderstorms/lightning awareness and best practices. 

Pearson also led the league in implementing a new weather service monitoring provider within the GPAC. The league will move to Perry Weather to monitor weather conditions, including WBGT, beginning in 2024-25.

A native of Davenport, Nebraska, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Nebraska Wesleyan and a Master of Arts degree in Education from Nebraska-Kearney.