The Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) is pleased to announce that Owyhee High School kinesiology instructor and head athletic trainer Taylor Clark received the Idaho State Coaches Association Athletic Trainer of the Year award on Oct. 8.
“I’m truly honored,” Taylor said. “My close friend and mentor, Eric Taylor, was the last West Ada (School District) athletic trainer to receive this award back in 2008. It means so much to not only follow in his footsteps, but also to represent women in this profession. It’s tough to juggle the responsibilities of being a wife, mom of two, teacher, and athletic trainer, but the support from my family, colleagues and mentors make it possible.”
Clark is in her fifth year at Owyhee and 11th year in the CEP program, teaching for the first six years at Mountain View High School before moving to Owyhee. She teaches Taping and Wrapping Techniques in Athletic Training (KINES 121) and Introduction to Athletic Injuries (KINES 220) for Boise State credit.
The athletic trainer of the year award is a testament to Clark’s leadership and dedication to the sports medicine program. She said she typically treats up to 60 student-athletes a day during the fall sports season, helping them in every stage of the injury process and returning them to peak performance in their respective sport.
“Owyhee is an exceptional place to work, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by outstanding coaches and administration,” Clark said. “Witnessing athletes return from injuries is rewarding, especially when coaches and admin celebrate those victories alongside our student-athletes. It’s a team effort, making all the hard work and long hours worthwhile.”
Clark’s sports medicine program was also recognized as the 2025 Secondary Exemplary Program Award recipient by the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education on July 23. According to the division’s Facebook post, the Owyhee sports medicine program established a “100% pass rate on the Technical Skills Assessment, a 97% participation rate, and strong industry partnerships with Saint Alphonsus and Rock & Armor Physical Therapy.”
Teaching the Next Generation of Broncos
Clark also has deep ties to Boise State. She was part of the first graduating class of the Master of Athletic Leadership (MAL) Program after serving as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the Boise State volleyball, sand volleyball and men’s tennis teams. She also met her husband, Pete, at Boise State who teaches MAL courses and Personal Finance (FINAN 208) for the Boise State CEP at Owyhee.
On top of Clark’s role as a CEP kinesiology instructor, she’s also a preceptor for the Boise State Master of Athletic Training (MAT) Program. Her Boise State background and extensive knowledge in athletic training make her the perfect instructor to teach Boise State Concurrent Enrollment courses.
“It’s a privilege to prepare students for MAT programs nationwide and to help them explore a hands-on career without any out-of-pocket costs,” Clark said. “Students who have taken my kinesiology courses have also explored other healthcare pathways to become nurses, radiology technicians, physicians, physical therapists, dentists and more.
“The (Advanced Opportunities) funding paired with concurrent credit courses offers an incredible opportunity, enabling many of my former students to enter Boise State as college juniors. This approach not only alleviates the financial burden of student loans but also equips students with essential knowledge in injury prevention, recognition, and treatment that benefits everyone involved.”
One of those students is Nicole Baker, an assistant athletic trainer and fellow sports medicine instructor at Owyhee. Baker was a KINES 220 student when Clark taught the class at Mountain View, igniting her passion for athletic training. Baker went on to attend Boise State, intern with Clark as a college senior, graduate with her undergraduate and MAT program degrees, and teach the same curriculum that she learned from her colleague.
“Whenever I share what I teach, people are often surprised to learn that high school students can explore sports medicine,” Clark said. “Although I never envisioned myself as a teacher, I’ve come to realize that athletic trainers are inherently teachers. We continuously educate athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators about injuries, protocols, safety, and more.
“It has been a joy to share my passion for athletic training for the past 11 years as a Concurrent Enrollment instructor.”
Learn more about Boise State CEP kinesiology opportunities with the Participating High Schools, Courses, and Instructors web page. To learn more about athletic training opportunities at Boise State, visit the School of Kinesiology and Athletics Training Program web pages.