Ty Bigelow G’22, G’24 is an athletic trainer at Villanova University outside of Philadelphia. Contributed photo

Hear from the graduates who earned Moravian’s Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree and learn about how the program advanced their careers. 

Ty Bigelow G’22, G’24

Bigelow is associate athletic trainer at Villanova University with primary responsibility for the healthcare of women’s soccer, cross country, and track and field. Bigelow earned his Doctor of Athletic Training Degree from Moravian in 2022 and an MBA from Moravian in 2024. 

Q: What aspects of Moravian’s mission or curriculum truly resonated with you?

A: When looking at doctoral programs, Moravian’s DAT program really impressed me with the model of combining great clinical and research resources in its faculty, while understanding that many professionals are working full-time in various settings. As a practicing clinician, most of my education prior to the DAT was focused on clinical skill development. From looking at the curriculum, it was clear I would deepen my knowledge base in various clinical domains, but this was also an opportunity to focus on clinical leadership development and learn from other [athletic trainers] in my cohort who work in different settings than me. What I learned from [athletic trainers] working in professional sports, the industrial setting, performing arts, military setting, and physician clinics challenged me in a way I simply couldn’t get through the entry-level degrees.

Q: How has the DAT program transformed the way you approach patient care or organizational leadership?

A: The DAT transformed my approach to patient care in two primary ways—the first being a more deliberate approach to evidence-based healthcare. Evidence-based healthcare isn’t something new to athletic training, but I was putting a lot of weight behind the research component. Now, I better balance the research component with my clinical experience and patients’ values and goals. 

The second way the DAT transformed my approach to patient care and organizational leadership is by being mindful of the multiple stakeholders who impact healthcare delivery. Often these are administrators or executives who can impact staffing, budgeting, and resource allocation. Thinking more broadly about the business side to healthcare delivery has helped me better advocate the operational needs from a business sense and create solutions that benefit the sports medicine department as a whole. This was further strengthened through my completion of the MBA in conjunction with the DAT.

Q: Why did you decide to go into athletic training and how have your reasons evolved? What do you enjoy about your role?  

A: Like most [athletic trainers], I got into the profession as an athlete myself, and the profession paired me with the joy of helping people. It was a natural fit. As I have grown in the last decade as an [athletic trainer], I realize the incredible position we are often in as primary care healthcare providers. Hearing about the impact I have had from previous patients years after they are no longer under my care really puts into perspective the role we are in daily and our ability to positively impact lives. As I get further into my career, the more opportunities I find and explore. The DAT was never a means to an end, but rather a gateway to opportunities I had yet to realize.