Concordia Welcomes Ciera Eisele as New Athletic Trainer

Photo by Kimberly Sleeper

By Jacy Johnston

Concordia runs in the family for new Assistant Athletic Trainer Ciera Eisele, who joined the Concordia Athletic Training Department on Sept. 3.

Eisele, who is originally from Washington, has grown to enjoy the Midwest summers and is a fan of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). She first visited Concordia in high school with family.

“My dad went to Concordia, and we went to visit family friends in York, and he said, ‘Hey, let’s go to Concordia; let’s tour it and just see what it’s about,’” Eisele said.

Eisele’s father was recruited as a wrestler at Concordia and attended school with many familiar faces, including Dr. Doug Tewes, Concordia’s team physician.

After talking to Scott Mattera, Concordia’s head volleyball coach at the time, Eisele knew she wanted to pursue athletic training, a program Concordia does not offer. Mattera recognized that college was about pursuing an education above playing sports.

“(Mattera) said that if I wanted to do athletic training, I should go check out a couple other schools and give those a shot,” Eisele said.

Eisele then toured Dakota Wesleyan University and eventually chose to attend DWU. There, she played volleyball and completed her degree and training internship. After graduation, she accepted the position at Concordia.

“It’s been (very) different shifting from the student side to the professional side,” Eisele said. “There is so much paperwork. I thought I had to do a lot of paperwork as a student. I was actually shocked at how much there really is.”

Eisele said that after mornings of paperwork, she is able to spend her afternoons and evenings with the athletes doing the fun part of her job.

Her favorite part is working the games, and with a brother who played soccer, she is able to enjoy that especially this fall.

Eisele filled the role left vacant after the departure of Athletic Trainer Stacy Dahlkoetter, who accepted a position at Lincoln Christian High School. She is in charge of men’s and women’s soccer, track and field, and the softball team.

As a pole vaulter in high school, Eisele is familiar with the field event aspect of track and field. However, she is excited to learn more about distance running, which is less familiar to her. Softball is also a less familiar sport, but her work with quarterbacks in football gives her experience in shoulder and arm maintenance and care.

Eisele wanted to stay at a small school for the family aspect, and Concordia has not disappointed.

“People really helped me out. It really is the family atmosphere that I came to love when I was touring (in high school), and I really appreciate it,” Eisele said. “Around here, I notice the small town vibe.”

Eisele’s experience at Concordia in the athletic training department is built around the success of the athletes, coaches and athletic training staff all working together.

“It ends (up) being a family,” Eisele said, “At the end of the day we’re all on the same team; we’re all working to the same goal. It is really cool, and I really enjoy that aspect.”