Cougar Spotlight: Athletic Trainer Maria Klein

There are many important pieces when it comes to building a team. Coaching, quality practices and player health all impact team success. For Northeast Iowa Community College Athletics, the responsibility of health falls on their Athletic Trainer, Maria Klein.

She was raised in Dubuque, Iowa, by her mother, Barb Klein, after being adopted from Ecuador at a young age. Her faith and athletic abilities led her to attend Wahlert Catholic High School and compete in volleyball, basketball and softball with the Golden Eagles.

Her love of sports propelled her to the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University (CBS/SJU), where she majored in exercise and health science while competing for the school in basketball and lacrosse. Klein followed up her undergraduate studies by attending Loras College to get her master's degree in athletic training.

"I always knew sports meant a lot to me and would be something I always wanted to be a part of in any way possible," she said. "Spoiler alert – I did not become a professional athlete but still wanted to be a part of those big moments that make anyone fall in love with sports."

During her senior year of high school, Klein tore her ACL. The recovery from any torn ligament can be a long process, but Wahlert's trainer, Molly Molitor, helped make the injury less scary. Klein's growing bond with Molitor inspired her to pursue a career in athletic training.

Klein's undergraduate studies provided her with many hands-on learning opportunities. She worked in the athletic training room, assisting athletes from all different sports with injuries they had been dealing with.

After completing her master's degree and becoming a licensed and certified trainer, Klein began working at Dubuque Physical Therapy. While there, she heard about the opportunity with the NICC Athletic Department. One year in, she is fully immersed in the Cougar Athletics culture.

"Many people see us on the sideline, but don't know everything that goes into our job," Klein said. "Behind the scenes, we develop and implement conditioning programs to treat and teach proper biomechanics, which can be seen through taping and bracing an athlete; assess injuries and medical conditions to determine safe return to play or physician referral; design and supervise customized rehabilitation programs to help athletes regain strength, mobility and return to competition safely."

Building trust with student-athletes is essential, and it's a connection Klein has prioritized from day one.

"I try my best to put myself out there and learn names as fast as I can," she said. "That way when I see student-athletes around campus or at the field, I can address them by their name. Each athlete is different and unique in their own way, even though they play a team sport. By the end of the season, I could tell who was up to bat based on their stance and routines."

That connection with the athletes is something Maria enjoys from her career, along with getting to see the full journey.

"The supporting staff are just as responsible for upholding their roles for team success," she said. "The results and outcome only happen when everyone does their job. This was my first year as a certified athletic trainer and to have the support and respect from my teams and staff behind me has been the best welcome to NICC."

Klein is very grateful for those who played a major role in her pursuit of this path - Molly Molitor, Rachel Bey, Erin Ross, Sue Theisen, Jerek Pontius, Chris Strauser, Chelsey Bruns, Dr. Molly Figgins, Dr. Sharon Feld, Dr. Mark Pullara and Dr. Jessica Kirby.

"Without their support and guidance, I wouldn't be pursuing or practicing this career today," she said.

Klein is only at the beginning of what is sure to be a long career in athletic training, but NICC is grateful to have her on their side. Stay up-to-date with the Cougars at NICCAthletics.com.