Jacksonville, AL – As originally reported by Brett Buckner with JSU’s media department, Dr. Jennifer Savage Burgett, Coordinator of Clinical Education and Associate Professor in the Master’s in Athletic Training program at Jacksonville State University, has been named the 2026 College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association.
The award was presented May 30 during the association’s annual Clinical Symposium and Members’ Meeting in Trussville. According to the organization, the honor recognizes a collegiate athletic trainer who demonstrates outstanding service to their institution, community, and the athletic training profession through involvement with ALATA.
Burgett said she was both surprised and honored by the recognition.
“I was surprised and truly humbled,” Burgett said. “There are so many outstanding athletic trainers across Alabama who devote countless hours to serving their students, athletes, patients, institutions, and communities. To be recognized by my peers in a profession that I care so deeply about is truly an honor.”
Burgett has more than a decade of academic and clinical experience in athletic training, having worked in high school, collegiate, orthopedic, and pediatric settings. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association, and Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association. She is also a licensed Certified Athletic Trainer in Alabama and serves as an instructor for the American Heart Association.
Her interest in athletic training began during her own experiences as a student-athlete, where she participated in basketball, softball, and track and field. Burgett said the profession allowed her to combine her interest in sports with a desire to work in healthcare.
“My passion for sports made me fascinated by the ability to help athletes recover from injuries and improve their overall health and well-being,” she said.
Over the course of her career, Burgett said she developed a passion for education and mentorship alongside clinical practice.
“As I progressed in my career, I discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring students,” she said. “Watching students develop confidence, critical thinking skills, and compassion as healthcare providers is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.”
Department Head and Professor of Kinesiology Dr. Gina Mabrey praised Burgett’s commitment to students and the profession.
“Dr. Burgett is an outstanding educator who brings both passion and intentionality to preparing future athletic trainers,” Mabrey said. “She ensures that our students are not only technically prepared, but also confident, professional, and service-minded.”
Mabrey added that Burgett invests heavily in mentoring students and encouraging professional involvement.
Burgett also emphasized the broad role athletic trainers play within healthcare, noting that the profession often extends beyond what many people see on athletic fields and sidelines.
“Athletic trainers are often one of the most visible healthcare professionals in sports, yet many people don’t fully understand the totality of our role,” Burgett said. “We are educated and skilled healthcare providers who specialize in injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis and assessment, therapeutic intervention, and administration.”
She noted that athletic trainers work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, industrial workplaces, the military, and the performing arts, while serving as healthcare providers, patient advocates, and emergency responders.
Mabrey said the award reflects both Burgett’s dedication and the strength of Jax State’s athletic training program.
“This recognition is a direct reflection of Dr. Burgett’s consistent dedication to our students, our program, and the athletic training profession,” Mabrey said.
For Burgett, the recognition represents the collective support and mentorship she has received throughout her career.
“Receiving this award is especially meaningful because it represents the collective efforts of so many people who have influenced my journey,” she said. “My greatest professional accomplishment is not an award or title. It’s seeing students graduate, earn their credentials, and go on to positively impact the lives of their own patients and communities.”
