Meet Mount Vernon Mountaineers' new Athletic Trainer

We have a new addition to our CoxHealth athletic training team, Marissa Luney.  

Marissa attended Washburn University where she obtained two undergraduate degrees. Later, she pursued a Master of Athletic Training degree at Missouri State University. 

Marissa, who hails from the small town of LeRoy, Kansas, chose to become an athletic trainer because she wanted to help people and give back. Her own experience of being injured in high school without access to an athletic trainer inspired her to be the person who can help athletes in similar situations.  

Since an injury limited her playing time in high school, she decided to become the manager and help on the sidelines. 

“Being a manager gave me a new perspective on the sports that I wanted to play,” says Marissa. “During my first couple of years of college, I didn't exactly know what I wanted to do, but I knew that I wanted to go into health care. I had some great mentors at Washburn University who helped me find my passion for athletic training.”  

Marissa's favorite thing about her job is making connections with the athletes, coaches, and other athletic trainers. “I want to learn everything I can about the job and the people I work with.” 

 A typical day for Marissa starts early in the afternoon when she arrives at Mount Vernon High School to prepare the athletes for practices and games.  

"I usually spend a lot of my time at football practice, just watching and making sure no one needs anything," she says. "I also check in on volleyball, dance, tennis, and golf, so I'm on the move quite a bit."  

Marissa considers it a "really good day" when she can just watch practices and games because that means no one was injured.  

Some of her hobbies outside of work include reading books, watching Grey's Anatomy, spending time with family and friends, and connecting with her dog back home in Kansas via FaceTime. 

Please join us in giving Marissa a warm welcome!