For a third straight year the PSUAC has partnered with a 400-level sports journalism class at University Park to offer feature stories from around the conference. This is the second in a series.

By EMILY FRIEL

Nicole Davis wears many hats as the athletic trainer and assistant athletic director at Penn State Greater Allegheny. Whether she is overseeing gameday logistics, managing injuries or guiding rehabilitation, she is an essential part of the university's athletic success.

Davis' journey to Greater Allegheny was not a direct one. After graduating with a degree in exercise science from Chatham University, she pursued a career in physical therapy thinking that would be her most profitable path.

She came to realize her passion lay elsewhere, and she decided she wanted to work with younger athletes and help them reach their goals and full potential.

"I just did better with youth and younger individuals, and just more of that sport performance side of things," Davis explained. "So that passion led me into athletic training."

Her first step into athletic training began at Greater Allegheny in 2018. She spent two years there as an athletic trainer before she made the career choice to move to Duquesne University, a Division I school, in 2021. But during her time at Duquesne, she maintained good relationships with her colleagues back at Greater Allegheny.

In 2023, Greater Allegheny found itself without an athletic trainer and reached out to Davis to inquire about returning to work for them once again.

When her former colleagues reached out, Davis could not pass up the opportunity to return to Penn State Greater Allegheny.

"I'm such a die-hard fan of PSUGA," Davis said. "I think of the PSUAC campuses, we are such an underdog. And I love that mentality. I like that people, some people on campus and off campus maybe don't have faith in us, or maybe look at us differently based on a multitude of factors. I like that because we have the opportunity to prove those people wrong."

Davis' commitment and loyalty to the Greater Allegheny campus is transparent in the way she approaches her versatile role. As the athletic trainer, she prefers to take a holistic approach to injury management, working closely with the athlete and their physicians to ensure a smooth and successful recovery both physically and mentally.

"Just letting them know that, like, 'Hey, I am here for you. I am an advocate for you,'" Davis said. "There's a piece of understanding that athletic identity is important and reminding them that there is more to it."

In her role as assistant athletic director, Davis welcomes the challenges and enjoys the processes of learning new skills and taking hold of various responsibilities. From overseeing game-day operations and live streams to dealing with financial matters and compliances, Davis is driven to contribute to the athletic department's growth and success in any ways she can.

"This position was created for me based on just my experiences," Davis said. "So if I can add to my skill set, I'm all about it."

Davis' dedication to her work is matched by her passion for the student-athletes she serves. Not only does she guide them through the recovery process, but she also teaches the athletes valuable lessons in her kinesiology course.

"Seeing their growth on and off the field, it's really cool, because they're at a really pivotal age where this is the time where they can be molded into who they're going to be," Davis said.

As Davis continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come along with her multifaceted role, one thing is for certain: her commitment to the athletes at Greater Allegheny.