Class of 2025: Eleanor Head

After two transformative years of hands-on clinical experience, academic rigor, and meaningful mentorship, Eleanor Head is looking forward to launching her career as a certified athletic trainer.  

“Eleanor is an exceptionally strong student both academically and beyond the classroom,” said Assistant Professor Emily Madrak. “She is a natural leader within her cohort, with many peers seeking her guidance.”

During her time at UVA, Eleanor broke new ground for the program, becoming the first student to complete a 16-week immersive internship with Stanford University’s football and baseball teams. She also built strong relationships with peers, faculty, and student-athletes, finding joy and resilience in the hard work and shared laughter.

Q: What inspired you to choose a career in athletic training?

I was always around athletic training through sports. In high school, I joined the athletic training club, and in college at Virginia Commonwealth University, I volunteered with the University of Richmond Sports Medicine Department where I worked first-hand with the football team. I interned there for three years and really enjoyed my experience. After working for several years after graduation, I realized that I missed working with athletes — and that is when I knew I wanted to be a certified athletic trainer.

Q: Why did you choose the UVA School of Education & Human Development for your program?

When interviewing and touring for the program, I saw how family-orientated the program is. I also knew that UVA would give me the best opportunity to learn, grow, and experience high caliber NCAA Division I sports. In addition to the multiple Division I teams that UVA provides access to, UVA has excellent connections with local high schools and other universities throughout the country. I wanted to attend a program that has national exposure to maximize my opportunities once I graduated.

Q: What is the most significant thing that has shaped your time here?

All the laughs that I have had with my friends, preceptors, and professors. Being an athletic training student is not easy. I worked very hard and for many hours to ensure that I was learning and growing. The laughter was a great balance to the long hours and hard work. In addition to the laughs, my interactions with student-athletes have been amazing. Working firsthand with these athletes has been extremely rewarding, and I have forged relationships that will last long after my time here ends.  

Finally, UVA has a national reputation. Because of that, I had the wonderful opportunity to be the first UVA student to intern for the Stanford football and baseball team during the fall semester of this year. It was an amazing experience in multiple ways. I met amazing people and learned new techniques and forged terrific relationships, laying the path for future students to intern for the Cardinals.

Q: What is one thing you learned during your studies that surprised you?

I was surprised by how great the culture is here. At first, I was nervous because I felt the preceptors and professors were throwing us into the deep end. However, the entire time, we had our flotation devices on without us truly knowing. Jumping right in to assist the football and men’s lacrosse programs created confidence through experience while under the guidance of gifted and experienced preceptors. I realized it was my job to seize the opportunities to grow through the experience, support, and challenges that were given to me.

Q: If you can, name one person who has made a special impact during your studies and how?

Rebecca Vozzo, assistant athletic director for sports medicine at UVA, is a strong, intelligent, and experienced leader who has made a significant impact on my athletic training skills. It has been a great learning environment to work with her and men’s lacrosse. We had such a strong connection after working with the team in the fall of 2023, I was granted the opportunity to return and work with the team in the spring of 2025. Her guidance, trust, and leadership will always be the cornerstone of my career as I step into my own as a certified athletic trainer.

Q: What will you be doing next?

I am excited to start my career as an athletic trainer once I graduate. We will see what the cards hold for me. Go Hoos!