Mid-South Conference Officials announced Wednesday that Freed-Hardeman’s Garrett Clouse has earned the “Above and Beyond” Award for Outstanding Service in Athletic Training.
“Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I am truly honored and grateful for this acknowledgment!” Clouse said. “I couldn’t do it without the opportunity from Freed-Hardeman University and STAR Physical Therapy.”
The MSC Athletic Trainer of the Year is voted on by the Medical Aspects committee which is comprised of the head athletic trainers from each full-time member of the conference. Individuals are not allowed to vote for themselves.
Clouse earns the award for the first time in his career. He is in his second year at Freed-Hardeman and shows how much he cares for his athletes by the amount of time he spends listening to their problems and being involved in what is going on in their lives both physically and emotionally. Clouse recently became a certified instructor of CPR/AED and is actively working to make sure the whole coaching staff is trained in CPR prior to the 24-25 school year.
“Garrett is the perfect recipient of the MSC Athletic Trainer of the Year,” Freed-Hardeman Athletic Director Jonathan Estes said. “He reflects not only hard work and dedication to the student-athletes that he works with on a daily basis, but also does so with great passion and energy. He displays excellence in the way he goes about his activities each day. I’m glad our student-athletes get to work with such outstanding people.”
Outside of Athletic Training, Clouse is also a dorm parent on campus and leads a weekly bible study in the dorm. He also helps regularly with roles in the athletic chapel on campus and is involved in his church and community.
Clouse will represent the Mid-South Conference in the selection of the NAIA Athletic Trainer of the Year. The national award will be announced in early fall by the NAIA.
“The part of Athletic Training that I fell in love with is serving others,” Clouse added. “Each day I strive to encourage and uplift my athletes to get their best efforts in rehabilitation, while also reflecting Jesus Christ. My goal is to invest in my athletes in a way that shows them I care for them as a person, while building on that trust we form to strengthen their performance and progress.”
