This is for you girls... Men, you could probably learn a thing or two as well!

Hello blogging world!  I'm going to start off my first post with a bit about myself.  My name is Teresa Gruchacz and I am an athletic trainer for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  The Blue Crabs are an Independent League baseball team.  If you live in or near southern Maryland, you should come check us out next season!  I went to school for my athletic training degree starting at Penn State and majoring in Kinesiology and then got my master's in Athletic Training at Seton Hall.  I have been in the profession for just over 3 years now.  My main goal in this profession is to be a stand out female ATC in professional sports.  I got this opportunity this past April (2015) with the Blue Crabs.  So far, I have had an amazing journey.

I wanted to start a blog because I think there's a lot to learn out there, especially when it comes to being a female ATC.  This profession is male dominated for many reasons, but I don't think that should deter females from getting certified or trying to do big things in this profession.  There are plenty of women in the profession doing just that!

I want this blog to be about you all and what you want to learn and know about.  I want to post things about women doing amazing things in this profession.  I want to teach you all what I'm learning as a professional sports ATC.  I think there is a lot to learn out there about the profession, and I intend to know it, learn it, and give back.  I think starting this blog is a great way to engage all the female ATCs out there and make a connection.

I think that's all for now.  I'm going to leave you with a little homework.  Read the following article.  Aylssa Alpert is the Head Athletic Trainer for the New York Cosmos, a professional soccer team.  She talks about being a female ATC in professional sports and the rarity of women as the head athletic trainer in a men's sport.  I think it's a great read.

http://espn.go.com/espnw/athletes-life/article/10643226/espnw-female-athletic-trainers-making-strides

Let me know what you think!  And if you have any questions or anything you want me to talk about, please let me know!