The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.
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COLLEGE ATHLETICS TO THE NBA AND BACK MARK KYGER, ‘01 BY SUZANNE BRONSON Mark Kyger, PhD, DPT, OCS, COMT, ATC, CES, PES, CSCS, is a rehabilitation coordinator and physiotherapy associate. Every one of the abbreviations after his name show his high-level of certification, his ability to instruct the trainers of elite athletes and his extensive knowledge of sports medicine. He currently works at Arizona State University (ASU) having just completed a three-year hiatus to work with the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Minnesota Timberwolves. “Working for the NBA had always been a goal,” said Kyger, but his return to ASU was sparked by his passion for college athletics and student-athletes. At ASU, each day is different as he works with a variety of student-athletes. As sports medicine has become the first line of defense for athletes, Kyger is there to ensure the student-athletes’ physical, emotional and mental health. Many of his conversations with athletes concentrate on helping them balance work, home life, their education and their sport. Kyger also constantly works with student-athletes to lessen the physical toll their sport places on their bodies. He scrutinizes what can make the athletes move better in their sport, which directly impacts their game-time performance. Kyger learned how sports comradery and mindset can affect success from his mentors at Mesa including professor Gig Leadbetter and Robert Ryan. It was Ryan who saw Kyger’s ability and dedication for sports medicine and allowed him to get his required observation hours in Ryan’s training room. “It was practically an internship,” said Kyger. Ryan saw Kyger’s potential as an athletic trainer and knew he could handle the physical and mental requirements needed to pass the academic and clinical components. In addition to all of his medical knowledge, it was Kyger’s time at CMU that taught him about building a championship culture and a community of sportsmanship. The father of three and former Mavericks basketball player still follows Colorado Mesa University sports. • hit the slopes or hiking trails and enjoys following the Denver Nuggets and Broncos. Tyler Daniels, ‘17 After 3 years with Coldwell Banker as a commercial real estate broker, Tyler is taking his experience to Boise, Idaho, to be an associate commercial broker for Lee & Associates. While he’ll miss his hometown of Grand Junction, he’s excited about the opportunity to join such a wellrespected company and call Boise his new home. Andrew Jamison, ‘17 In only a short time since graduating, Andrew has completed his Master in Sports Law and Business at Arizona State University (ASU) and is now pursuing a law degree there. ASU is one of the top 30 law schools in the country. He credits his time at Mesa and his internship with a local attorney with helping him solidify his plans to pursue a career in law. After law school he is hoping to work in the professional sports industry. IN MEMORIAM Randall Capp, ‘46; Pamela Krebill, ‘89; Robert Lawton, ‘50; Joe Nunez, ‘67; Paul Reddin, professor of history; Gilbert Roberts, ‘55; Mary Salatino, ‘52; David Schooner, ‘89; Lena Scott, ‘46; Russ Walker, professor of geology; Jo Waugh, ‘92; Walter White, ‘72 SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THE ALUMNI PULSE Keep your friends, classmates and the CMU Alumni Association up-to-date by submitting a Class Note. Send us a picture of your wedding or new child, or by letting us know about an award you have won. Visit SupportingCMU.org/alumni/ class-notes to tell us what’s new with you.