Who are we?

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Anthony Polazzo is the Assistant Athletic Trainer with the Grand Rapids Griffins.  Prior to working with the Griffins, he spent 3 years at Grand Rapids Christian High School working for Metro Health University Michigan Hospital. Anthony graduated from Northern Michigan University where he had an opportunity to work with high school, collegiate, and Olympic athletes. Post-graduation, Anthony spent time at the University of Notre Dame for their summer sports camps, but later returned to Marquette, MI where he worked in a rehabilitation facility as an Outreach Athletic Trainer.  Anthony went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Health Care at Grand Valley State University, while working as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer. During that time as a Graduate Assistant, he worked with the Undergraduate Athletic Training Program as well as the GVSU Softball team.  Anthony spent the following summer as an intern in the Detroit Tigers organization working with the Gulf Coast League Tigers. He went on to find a full time position at Evanston Township High School in Illinois, and because of his efforts is now a NATA Safe Sports School. Anthony later returned to Grand Rapids for his current position and currently teaches classes at GVSU in the Movement Science Department on top of his duties with the Griffins. When not working he enjoys spending time outdoors and making woodworking projects. 

Marcus Smithson is a native of Crystal Falls, MI, and now residing in Kingsford, MI. He has always been passionate about the Western Upper Peninsula and expanding athletic training in the region. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Grand Valley State University in 2013, Marcus went on to complete his Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Management from Davenport University. Marcus is currently the Manager of Specialty Physician Operations at the Dickinson County Healthcare System in Iron Mountain, MI. Prior to returning to his roots in the UP, Smithson was the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Davenport University (Grand Rapids, MI) where he was responsible for the care of over 550 NAIA collegiate athletes and several national tournament qualifying athletic teams. Marcus also previously assisted the Center for Physical Rehabilitation in Grand Rapids as an interim and per diem athletic trainer for several years. Smithson notes that, though he enjoyed working at the collegiate level for several years, it is such an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to work with and care for individuals in a community that has given him such a solid foundation. In his free time Marcus enjoys the outdoors in the UP, participating in recreation sports and is an avid Green Bay Packers fan. 

Victoria Vintevoghel is the program manager for an Onsite Early Intervention Program as well as a Virtual Athletic Trainer Program for a major airline. Victoria completed her master’s degree in Health Services Administration (MHSA) at University of Detroit Mercy. She also has a Bachelor of Science from Grand Valley State University in Athletic Training. Victoria has 8 years of experience as a certified athletic trainer including: the industrial setting (airline & automotive), collegiate setting, and high school setting. She spends time in the airline and automotive industries developing and implementing injury prevention programs to decrease repetitive use injuries. She is passionate about decreasing employee’s risk of injury through preventive stretching and strengthening programs, job coaching, and implementation of ergonomic solutions. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband Mike and training for triathlons.

Rachael German is the Student Services Coordinator for the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program at Wayne State University. In addition to teaching within the program Rachael facilitates student recruitment and supports the student application and enrollment process.  Rachael has over eight years of diverse clinical experiences in the field of athletic training. She has worked in many different clinical settings including action sports, gymnastics, Division I athletics, and multiple high schools. She received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Central Michigan University in 2009. After 2 years of athletic training experience Rachael then attended Kent State University where she was a graduate teaching assistant.  There, she received her Master of Science in Exercise Physiology with a Concentration in Athletic Training while providing athletic training coverage for a local high school. From there Rachael worked at multiple high schools and taught at Baker College before accepting the position at Wayne State University. Rachael is an active member of the profession and a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA). Rachael also enjoys teaching and performing as an aerial artist and spending time with her dog.

Dan Meier is an athletic trainer for the swim and dive teams at the University of Michigan since 2019. He was previously the Head Athletic Trainer at Concordia University Ann Arbor for 4+ years. Dan is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Athletic Training (Entry-Level Master’s program). Throughout his career, Dan has most enjoyed the opportunity to be a role model for his student athletes, especially when they are going through the hard time of having an injury. He has also enjoyed being a Preceptor for athletic training students, helping mentor them into young professionals. In his free time, Dan loves to be with his wife and 2 sons, and also enjoys training and competing in triathlons.

Andrea Chilcote is currently an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Wayne State University. She primarily works with the Volleyball and Softball teams, handling the administrative responsibilities of insurance coordinator and the relationship the Sports Medicine Department has with the Campus Health Clinic. Andrea received her Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training from Grand Valley State University in 2012, completing her degree with an internship in Mesa, Arizona at the Chicago Cubs Rehabilitation Center. After graduating, Andrea was a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Eastern Illinois University for two years. While there, her primary sports were Men’s Soccer and Men’s and Women’s Tennis for the first year and Women’s Rugby and Men’s and Women’s Swimming for the second year. During this time she helped out with all other varsity sports and summer camps as needed. After receiving her Masters in Science in Sports Administration, Andrea spent the summer traveling with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, a member of Ascend Performing Arts. Andrea provided medical coverage and a strength and conditioning program for all 150 members of the Corps, traveling around the country to different venues. Andrea then moved on to a 10 month Assistant Athletic Trainer position at the University of Illinois-Chicago where she worked primarily with a first year Women’s Soccer program with a roster of 22 freshmen. During her time at UIC, Andrea traveled to Indoor and Outdoor Horizon Track & Field Championship meets along with covering all other sports as needed. Andrea then accepted her first full-time position at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas where she worked primarily with Men’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball. Andrea spent two years here with administrative responsibilities of organizing institutional drug testing along with physicals and helping other varsity sports as needed. Andrea enjoys traveling, working out, reading as many books as possible and spending all of her time outdoors in the sunshine.

Cathy Bersuder is currently a Spectrum Health Outreach Athletic Trainer assigned to Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Her primarily responsibilities at Davenport include wrestling, men's and women's hockey, women’s volleyball and men's and women's bowling.  Prior to Davenport, Cathy worked at Middlebury College, a NCAA DIII institute in Middlebury, Vermont, for three years where she was responsible for the women's soccer, men's ice hockey and men's and women's tennis teams.  Cathy earned her Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training from Grand Valley State University in 2010 and went on to earn her Master's in General Education with a certificate in Health Services Management from Elmira College in 2012.  While at Elmira College she worked as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer providing care to the women's volleyball, men's basketball and men's lacrosse teams.  Cathy is also an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University in their Movement Science Department.  When not on the sidelines, Cathy enjoys baking, crafting, traveling, volunteering and being on the shores of Lake Superior.  

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