PRESIDENT ELECT
Dr. Mary Placzkowski
The Colorado Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) would like to inform its membership that the nomination period for the 2026 election cycle has officially closed. Two (2) nominations were received for the position of President; however, only one candidate formally accepted nomination. In accordance with CATA Policy & Procedures, which state, “If only one candidate has accepted nomination for an office, the Board may declare that person as the election winner without the use of a vote,” the Board has declared Dr. Mary Placzkowski as President-Elect of the CATA. Dr. Placzkowski will officially assume the role on June 1, 2026.
Dr. Placzkowski earned her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education from the University of Maine, her Master’s degree in Sports Studies with a concentration in Sport Psychology from the University of Tennessee, and her Doctorate in Athletic Training from the University of Idaho, where her dissertation focused on advancing clinical care through novel therapy interventions. A certified athletic trainer since 2008, she brings extensive clinical experience across secondary school and collegiate settings and has served in higher education since 2013. She currently serves as Program Director of the Master of Science in Athletic Training at Colorado State University Pueblo.
The CATA looks forward to her leadership and continued commitment to advancing the profession in Colorado.
MEMBER
AT LARGE candidates
The Colorado Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) is pleased to announce that two (2) qualified candidates have accepted nomination for the position of Member-at-Large for the 2026 election cycle: Trev Muth and Katie Wallace. After reviewing their submitted biographies and responses to candidate questions, it is clear that both bring thoughtful perspectives, demonstrated leadership, and a strong commitment to advancing the profession of athletic training in Colorado. Each candidate has articulated meaningful priorities related to member engagement, professional advocacy, and strengthening the voice of athletic trainers across diverse practice settings.
Please watch your email for official voting and members are encouraged to carefully review each candidate’s platform and participate in the election process. Your engagement ensures strong representation and thoughtful leadership within CATA. Voting will remain open through March 15, 2026, and we encourage all eligible members to cast their ballot.
If you have any questions or need assistance with voting, please contact us at: coataelections@gmail.org
TREV MUTH
MS, LAT, ATC
BIOGRAPHY
My name is Trev Muth. I am the Lead Athletic Trainer for Mercy Sports Medicine powered by CommonSpirit in Durango, Colorado and I am the Head Athletic Trainer at Fort Lewis College. I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2016 and my Master's Degree in Integrative Human Physiology at Central Washington University in 2018. I am originally from Columbus, Nebraska. I have lived in Durango for the past five years and I enjoy running, hiking, kayaking, golfing and all of the beauty Colorado has to offer!
The CATA relies heavily on volunteer leadership to advance and protect the athletic training profession in Colorado. How has your own experience with volunteerism and leadership shaped your professional identity, and how do you believe the CATA can work to strengthen the profession at both the state and local levels?
Volunteer leadership is at the core of my identity as a certified athletic trainer. I have volunteered to serve over the past 12 years since my time as a student. Through my service at the state and national level, especially these past few years with the CATA, I have seen how committed volunteers drive meaningful progress for our profession. Participating in the NATA Legislative Boot Camp and Third-Party Reimbursement Initiative reinforced the importance of informed advocacy and collaboration. I believe CATA can continue to strengthen athletic training in Colorado by developing strong volunteer leaders, expanding education around legislative and reimbursement efforts, and fostering collaboration at both the state and local levels so members feel supported, represented, and equipped to serve their communities.
In your view, what responsibilities do Board members have to serve the full diversity of athletic trainers in Colorado (e.g., secondary school, collegiate, clinic, industrial, military, emerging settings)?
How would your service on the Board help ensure that CATA remains responsive, inclusive, and relevant to its membership?
Board members have a responsibility to represent and advocate for every single athletic trainer across all practice settings in Colorado by actively listening to members and ensuring their needs are reflected in CATA’s priorities and programming. Through my service on the Board and oversight of multiple committees, I have gained valuable insight into how advocacy, recognition, and communication can support members in diverse roles. I am committed to helping CATA serve every member and remain responsive and inclusive by seeking member input and maintaining a unified, member-centered approach.
A healthy professional association depends on continually developing new volunteers and future leaders. What ideas do you have for encouraging student members, early-career professionals, and historically underrepresented groups to engage in CATA service and leadership?
Developing future leaders is essential to the long-term strength of CATA, and engagement begins with creating clear, welcoming pathways to involvement for students, early-career professionals, and underrepresented groups. I am forever grateful to all of the mentors and leaders who have helped shape me into the athletic trainer I am today. Based on my leadership experience, I believe expanding mentorship to encourage service and increasing visibility of volunteer opportunities can build confidence and trust in our association, thus encouraging participation. Through my continued service, I am committed to supporting an inclusive leadership pipeline that reflects and serves our diverse membership.
Looking ahead, how do you see volunteer leadership and service-based initiatives contributing to the future growth, credibility, and public trust of athletic training in Colorado? What role would you hope to play in advancing that vision if elected?
If elected, I hope to support this vision by fostering inclusive opportunities for involvement, encouraging innovation, and amplifying the voices of diverse practitioners and students. With my background in clinical practice and higher education, I would work to advance initiatives that enhance credibility, promote outreach, and ensure that CATA remains a visible and trusted advocate for athletic trainers across the state.
KATIE WALLACE
MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, EMT
BIOGRAPHY
My journey in athletic training began as a high school student, an early exposure that solidified my passion for the profession and led me to pursue my Bachelor of Science at North Dakota State University, graduating in 2010. To enhance my clinical expertise in acute care, I concurrently earned my EMT certification, which has been instrumental in providing high-level emergent care throughout my career. Since relocating to Colorado, I have primarily served in the secondary school setting through clinical outreach while maintaining a presence in physical therapy clinics. In 2020, I further advanced my clinical foundation by earning a Master’s degree in Applied Exercise Physiology with a specialization in strength and conditioning. My commitment to professional service began with the CATA Secondary Schools Committee in 2022, where I am honored to currently serve as Co-Chair.
The CATA relies heavily on volunteer leadership to advance and protect the athletic training profession in Colorado. How has your own experience with volunteerism and leadership shaped your professional identity, and how do you believe the CATA can work to strengthen the profession at both the state and local levels?
My extensive volunteer experience, both within the CATA and in external organizations, has consistently reinforced my commitment to remaining an active leader within our profession. I have found that dedicating my time to service allows me to engage deeply with a community of like-minded athletic trainers who are equally dedicated to advancing our field. I believe the CATA can further strengthen the profession at the state level by fostering greater member engagement in legislative advocacy and presenting a unified, professional presence to the diverse communities we serve.
In your view, what responsibilities do Board members have to serve the full diversity of athletic trainers in Colorado (e.g., secondary school, collegiate, clinic, industrial, military, emerging settings)?
How would your service on the Board help ensure that CATA remains responsive, inclusive, and relevant to its membership?
The CATA Board of Directors has an inherent responsibility to represent every athletic trainer in Colorado, regardless of their specific practice setting. As our profession evolves and enters new practice settings, the Board must remain proactive in integrating these emerging settings into its strategic vision. With over 15 years of experience in the secondary school setting, I have actively prioritized building professional relationships with athletic trainers in physician, and physical therapy practices. These collaborative connections are vital for bridging gaps between disparate settings, ensuring the CATA remains a responsive, inclusive, and relevant advocate for our entire membership.
A healthy professional association depends on continually developing new volunteers and future leaders. What ideas do you have for encouraging student members, early-career professionals, and historically underrepresented groups to engage in CATA service and leadership?
Through my work on the Secondary Schools Committee, I have prioritized active engagement with early-career professionals to ensure they feel supported as they enter the workforce. I believe the key to cultivating future leadership lies in providing consistent, direct contact and mentorship opportunities. By intentionally engaging with athletic trainers at every professional event, we can break down barriers to entry, foster a sense of belonging, and encourage long-term participation and service within the CATA.
Looking ahead, how do you see volunteer leadership and service-based initiatives contributing to the future growth, credibility, and public trust of athletic training in Colorado? What role would you hope to play in advancing that vision if elected?
I am eager to contribute to the advancement of public trust, credibility, and the strategic growth of athletic training in Colorado. My approach centers on consistently championing our comprehensive scope of practice, rigorous educational standards, and specialized credentialing domains that define athletic trainers as elite healthcare providers. If elected, I intend to align state-level efforts with national initiatives to ensure our profession continues to advance across all clinical and community realms, securing our position as essential members of the healthcare team.