For many alumni, high school is a cherished memory left behind, but for one Bishop Kenny graduate, it has become a full circle journey.

Returning to the same halls she once walked as a student, Katie Rose now serves as Kenny’s athletic trainer, supporting student-athletes both on and off the field. A 2015 Bishop Kenny graduate and 2019 alumni of the University of Central Florida, Rose’s path toward athletic training began with personal experience.

“I always wanted to be an athletic trainer since my freshman year, when I suffered a really bad concussion,” Rose said.

That difficult setback sparked a lifelong interest in the medical side of athletics and a determination to help others recover the right way.

During her time at UCF, Rose immersed herself in student life, joining a sorority, playing recreational basketball, flag football, floor hockey, volleyball and even became the first athletic training student in the Honors College.

Now, her days are fast-paced and full. Rose begins each morning documenting injuries and following up on athletes’ recoveries before tackling an afternoon packed with taping, evaluations and rehab sessions.

“As soon as the bell rings, my athletic training room is filled with 30–50 athletes,” Rose said. “It’s a super busy, fast-paced day, and you never know what injuries or situations you’ll get. No day is the same as the one before.”

For Rose, the most rewarding part of her work is watching injured athletes return to the sport they love.

“I go through the entire emotional and physical journey with them,” Rose said.

Her background in sports psychology also helps her support students mentally.

“Negative emotions and negative mindsets can actually delay tissue healing,” Rose said.

Rose says coming back to Bishop Kenny as a staff member has been both exciting and surreal.

“It’s weird running into teachers I had when I was a student and now being their coworker,” Rose said. “I’ll never be able to call them by their first names.”

Upon her return, she was shocked to see how much more competitive the athletic program has become.

“Athletics have gotten so much better since I was here,” Rose said. “The bar has been raised so much higher.”

Whether she’s cheering on football players under the Friday night lights or helping a student push through physical therapy, Rose is grateful to be part of the Crusader community once again.

“The football team convinced me to slide through the mud after a win during a really rainy day,” Rose said. “It’s moments like that that make this job so special.”

Looking to the future, Rose hopes to inspire the next generation of sports medicine enthusiasts.

“I would love for there to one day be a sports medicine class students could take as an elective,” Rose said.

With her enthusiasm, expertise and school pride, Rose is “excited for what the future holds.”