Master of Athletic Training student gains valuable experience with New York Jets

For Master of Athletic Training student Joey Decheck, hands-on experience has been central to preparing for a career in athletic training. From July through December 2025, Decheck completed a highly competitive internship with the National Football League (NFL)’s New York Jets. The internship gave him firsthand exposure to athletic training at the highest level of professional sports.

During his time with the Jets, Decheck worked directly with athletes during training camp and the regular season, providing care and assisting the sports medicine staff with injury rehabilitation. His responsibilities extended beyond treatment, as he played a key role in daily practice operations — preparing equipment, organizing hydration, and ensuring the staff had everything needed to function efficiently.

Decheck also supported away-game travel by coordinating and packing medical and recovery supplies, helping ensure athletes were fully prepared on game day. This immersive experience allowed him to see how elite athletic training departments operate under the demands of a professional football season.

His path to athletic training was shaped early in his undergraduate career, when shadowing professionals immediately drew him to the field.

“Evaluating an injury is like solving a puzzle,” Decheck said. “There is no one, set way to rehab an injury, which allows you to tailor care to the individual.”

One of the most impactful aspects of his internship was the Jets’ mentor program, which allowed him to connect with different members of the sports medicine staff each month. These mentorship opportunities gave him hands-on exposure to a variety of specialties while helping him build meaningful professional relationships.

“Learning from people with different backgrounds and areas of expertise expanded my knowledge and helped shape how I approach athletic training,” Decheck said.

The internship also reinforced the connection between classroom learning and real-world applications. Working alongside professionals at different stages of their careers showed Decheck that while foundational principles remain constant, there are many effective ways to apply them.

Among the most valuable lessons he learned during his time with the Jets were resilience and intent. The pace and expectations of professional sports demanded both physical and mental toughness, teaching Decheck how to perform consistently under pressure.

“Everything you do has to be done with intent,” Decheck said. “Without it, the work is meaningless."

Penn State’s Master of Athletic Training program stood out to Decheck not only because of his family’s ties to Penn State, but also because of the opportunity to work with high-level Division I athletes and be part of a program with a deep and respected history.

He credits the program’s faculty for playing a major role in his professional development. Faculty members consistently pushed him to achieve his career goals, provided individualized feedback, and prepared him for future opportunities. That support has positioned him well for the next step in his career.

After graduating this spring, Decheck plans to work as a seasonal certified athletic trainer with the University of Georgia football team. His journey reflects how the Penn State Master of Athletic Training program combines rigorous academics, mentorship, and elite clinical experiences to prepare students for success in competitive athletic training careers.

Originally published March 2026.