Courtney Butler has spent the past decade building a career across sports medicine, professional ballet and international football. Alongside her work as a Sports Medicine Supervisor and Head Athletic Trainer, she recently completed MSc in Sports Injuries & Return to Performance Management with Setanta College.
Below, Courtney discusses her journey, career highlights and how continuing education has supported her development.
Finding the Right Career
Courtney’s introduction to athletic training came during high school and immediately felt like the right fit.
“When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to become a student athletic training aide, which was my first introduction to the profession of athletic training.
Up until that point, I knew I wanted a career in healthcare, but I wasn’t exactly sure what path I wanted to pursue. Once I discovered athletic training, I knew I had found the perfect fit because it combined two of my greatest passions: medicine and sports.
As a gymnast growing up, I experienced my fair share of injuries, and I developed a deep appreciation for the healthcare professionals who helped me recover and return to doing what I loved. That experience inspired me to become the person who helps athletes navigate their own injuries and rehabilitation journeys.”
Current Role
Today, Courtney combines leadership responsibilities with hands-on clinical practice across several elite environments.
“I currently serve as the Sports Medicine Supervisor for a hospital system (Orlando Health), where I oversee a team of about 40 professionals who provide sports medicine services to a diverse range of partners, including colleges, universities, high schools, sports clubs and community events.
In addition to my leadership role, I’m also the Head Athletic Trainer for a professional ballet company. My days are a unique blend of administration and clinical care. Mornings are typically spent on supervisor responsibilities such as meetings, strategic planning, staffing and coverage coordination.
In the afternoons and evenings, I transition to the ballet studio, where I work directly with dancers on injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. During performance weeks, my schedule shifts significantly, with most of my time spent at the theater supporting the dancers through rehearsals and live performances.
In addition to my full-time role, I also have the incredible privilege of being a contract athletic trainer with the United States Soccer Federation. This has afforded me the opportunity to learn from individuals at the highest level, from physicians and coaches to sports scientists.”
Career Highlights
Working across professional ballet and international football has created plenty of memorable moments.
“I earned my degree in Athletic Training in 2015 and have been working in the field ever since. I started my career as a head athletic trainer at the high school level before transitioning into a hospital-based sports medicine program.
Not long after, I became the head athletic trainer for a professional ballet company—a role I’ve now held for nearly nine years. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience and has allowed me to combine my passion for sports medicine with the unique demands of performing arts healthcare.
In 2022, I joined the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and have spent the last four years traveling with various age-group national teams to tournaments and training camps throughout Europe and Central America. It’s been an amazing opportunity to work with elite athletes and experience different cultures while supporting player health and performance.
One of the most memorable experiences of my career was traveling with USSF to Costa Rica for the Boys U-15 CONCACAF Championships in 2025. Watching those young athletes push through challenges, overcome adversity and compete on an international stage was incredibly rewarding.
Another career highlight was helping an athlete return to performing after being sidelined by injury for more than nine months. Seeing that dancer back on stage, doing what they love, and knowing I played a role in helping them get there was a powerful reminder of why I chose this profession. Moments like that reinforce that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
Studying with Setanta
After almost ten years working in athletic training, Courtney wanted to invest in the next stage of her career.
“There were several reasons I decided to continue my education through Setanta. After spending nearly 10 years in the field, I felt it was the right time to refresh and expand my knowledge and skills.
I’ve always been someone who enjoys learning and challenging myself, so pursuing another degree felt like a natural next step in both my personal and professional growth.
I wanted to ensure I remained competitive in the job market. If I ever decide to pursue new opportunities, I want to be as prepared and qualified as possible.
Additionally, obtaining a master’s degree creates more opportunities for advancement within my current organisation. As I continue to grow in leadership and explore future career paths, I saw this as an investment in both my present role and my long-term professional goals.”
Learning That Applies Every Day
One of the biggest takeaways from the programme was its relevance to Courtney’s everyday work.
“One of the things I enjoyed most about pursuing my master’s degree through Setanta was how relevant every lesson was to my day-to-day work. Each course covered topics that directly applied to athletic trainers and other professionals in sports performance and rehabilitation.
It never felt like I was learning something just to pass a class, everything connected back to my career and helped me become a better clinician.
The programme also gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge while refreshing concepts I had learned earlier in my career but hadn’t used regularly in recent years. After being out of school for quite some time, it was valuable to revisit those topics with a new perspective and apply them to my current practice.
Another aspect of the program that stood out was the support from the Setanta faculty and staff. Whenever I had questions, they were approachable, responsive and genuinely invested in helping students succeed. That level of support made balancing work, life and graduate school much more manageable.
One lesson that has had a surprisingly big impact on my career was learning how to effectively search for and evaluate research articles. Strengthening those skills has been incredibly beneficial, allowing me to stay current with the latest evidence and apply it when caring for my athletes.
It’s helped me make more informed clinical decisions and ultimately provide better care.”
Advice for Others
Courtney believes continuous learning is one of the biggest factors in long-term success.
“If you’re looking to build or grow your career in athletic training, there are three pieces of advice I’d recommend: network, stay current with research and never stop learning. Sports medicine is constantly evolving. New treatment approaches, rehabilitation techniques and technologies are being developed all the time, and it’s easy to fall behind if you aren’t actively keeping up with the latest advancements. Make it a habit to read current research, attend continuing education opportunities and stay engaged with what’s happening in the profession. Equally important is building a strong professional network. No one has all the answers, and some of the best learning comes from the people around you. At the end of the day, the best athletic trainers are lifelong learners. By combining evidence-based research, continuing education and the knowledge of your professional network, you’ll continue to grow and provide the best possible care to your athletes.”
Looking Ahead
Courtney hopes to continue growing as both a leader and mentor within the profession.
“Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing professionally and advancing into additional leadership roles within my organisation. One of my goals is to help expand the role and impact of athletic training throughout the hospital system while continuing to advocate for the profession.
At the same time, I want to stay actively involved in the performing arts and soccer communities, where I can continue learning, growing and making a meaningful impact on the athletes and performers I serve.
Another passion of mine is mentoring the next generation of athletic trainers. As a preceptor for several athletic training programs, I enjoy helping students develop their skills and confidence as they enter the profession. Continuing to teach, mentor and support future athletic trainers is something I hope to remain a part of throughout my career.”
Learn more about the MSc in Sports Injuries & RTP Management here.
