As U.S. athletes compete in the Torino Olympics, Paul Meier, a University alumnus and athletic trainer for the U.S. Olympic Alpine Ski Team, is working hard to aid the American skiers in their quest for gold.
Meier earned his degree in athletic training from the masters program for athletic training at the Curry School.
Head athletic trainer Ethan Saliba said that, as a certified athletic trainer, Meier worked with both football and men's lacrosse at the University.
Assistant athletics trainer Kelli Pugh, one of Meier's supervisors while he worked at the University, said Meier got where he is now through the commitment to his endeavors he has shown since he was a student at the University.
"He works really hard and loves what he does," Pugh said. "His commitment has taken him incredible places."
"We're always proud of our graduates as they go on," Saliba said. "We enjoyed having Paul with us. He was not only an excellent clinician but a good human being."
Saliba explained that working with athletes is not always easy.
"It takes a well-rounded person to work with athletes," Saliba said. "We are not surprised but very proud of [Meier.]"
Saliba said that working with Meier was a pleasure.
"He was a young man with a very consistent demeanor, and he was not afraid of hard work," he said. "He wanted to gain as much experience as he could to ultimately take a position like this."
Saliba said the University led Meier to the opportunities that brought him to Torino.
"He was here working on his master's and then went on to do his internship, or fellowship, or a job with the Steadman clinic, where the population was predominantly skiers," Saliba said. "He worked at an orthopedic clinic and he took an itinerary position with them as a fellowship experience, and he worked so well that he got carried onto the national team and subsequently went on to work with the Olympic activities."
Saliba said Meier's profession is very intense.
"It's not an easy life," Saliba said. "It is one that is very itinerant. Lots of times your personal life has to go on hold while experiences and professional opportunities come."
Pugh said she corresponds with Meier through e-mail, and, the last time they corresponded, he was moving into the Olympic village with the U.S. ski team.
"I saw him on TV yesterday and that was exciting," Pugh said. "We were watching men's downhill and he was at the finish line."
Pugh said Meier continues a long tradition of success in the University's athletic training.
"U.Va has a long history in athletic training," Pugh said. "It's not a very well known profession, but U.Va has produced a lot of leaders in that field through either the masters or the doctoral program."
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