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SLU Athletic Training Program Awards Annual Burgett and Bauman Scholarships

The Saint Louis University (SLU) Athletic Training (AT) program recently awarded its two annual endowed scholarships to graduate students within the program. The recipients of the 2019 Brandi Burgett Memorial Award and Scholarship were Alejandra Chavez, Abby Hoffman and Caitlyn Thomas. The recipients of the 2019 Clarence “Bob” Bauman Endowed Scholarship in Athletic Training were Allison Stefan and Caitlyn Thomas.

The Brandi Burgett Memorial Award and Scholarship was created in memory of Brandi Burgett, MAT – a 2017 graduate of the SLU AT program who passed away in December 2017 after battling a chronic medical condition during her time in the program. The scholarship recognizes a student entering their second year in the professional phase of the program who displays the same courage, determination and passion for the profession as Burgett. Generous gifts from Brandi’s parents – Robert and Marnie Burgett - family, friends, students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Students Society (SLATS) and others allowed for two recipients of the Burgett Memorial Award and Scholarship in its inaugural year in 2018 and successful fundraising efforts allowed for third student to be awarded the honor this year.

2019 AT Scholarship Recipients

From Left to Right: Allison Stefan (Bauman Scholarship Recipient), Caitlyn Thomas (Burgett Scholarship and Bauman Scholarship Recipient), Alejandra Chavez and Abby Hoffman (Burgett Scholarship Recipients)

Chavez was thrilled to find out she was a recipient of the Burgett Memorial Award and Scholarship and hoped to be able to carry on Brandi’s legacy.

“I feel grateful and very honored to have been named a recipient of the Burgett Memorial Scholarship,” Chavez said. “Her passion for athletic training and helping others motivate me to continue working hard to be the best athletic trainer I can be.”

Thomas found Burgett’s story to be inspirational and motivational, and she hopes to approach her challenges with the same spirit Brandi had.

“I want to persevere, like Brandi did for so long, to reach my goal of becoming an athletic trainer at a Division I university,” Thomas said. “Brandi worked hard and pushed through so many obstacles, and I can only aspire to be as strong as she was. I hope to reflect Brandi’s passion for athletic training as I continue to persevere to be the best I can be for myself and for others.”

Burgett’s story of perseverance also resonated with Hoffman, who views Burgett as a role model for determination and overcoming adversity.

“Brandi’s legacy inspires me in my journey to become an athletic trainer because she was determined and focused to finish the program and be successful,” Hoffman said. “To me, that’s inspiring and helps me remember how fortunate I am to still be here on my own journey.”

In addition to the Burgett Scholarship, the SLU AT program was again able to award two recipients with the Clarence “Bob” Bauman Endowed Scholarship in Athletic Training. Bauman was a model for aspiring athletic trainers and a tremendous positive influence in his community. Bauman took care of SLU athletes and St. Louis Cardinals athletes for over 50 years as an athletic trainer – earning him a spot in both the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and SLU Halls of Fame. The Bauman Scholarship recognizes outstanding athletic training students entering the second professional year in the SLU AT program.

Stefan explained how the work of inspirational athletic trainers like Bauman can impact so many people.

“The legacy of Mr. Bauman inspires me every day to give my best as I continue my journey to becoming a certified athletic trainer,” Stefan said. “When I put in hours of clinical practice, I remind myself how someone in our profession, like Mr. Bauman, can be such an influential person in the community. It is my hope that, one day, I leave a legacy in the athletic training profession and community as great as Mr. Bauman did at Saint Louis University.”

SLU Athletic Training Program Director Anthony Breitbach, Ph.D., ATC, FASAHP, was proud of all the scholarship recipients and thought they were each great representatives of their respective awards.

“We are thrilled to award five scholarships this year to such deserving students,” Dr. Breitbach said. “A special thanks to Marnie and Robert Burgett [Brandi Burgett’s parents], whose generosity, along with friends and family, has touched the lives of three of our students who will keep their daughter’s spirit alive through all they do to be women for and with others in the Jesuit tradition.”

Recipients of both of the scholarships will be formally recognized in February 2020 at the annual Athletic Training Speaker Series and Recognition Ceremony at Saint Louis University.

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.