Alyson Vecchia-Spooner ’24, G’25, Makes History in Athletic Training
By Damon Markiewicz
From a young age, Alyson Vecchia-Spooner ’24, G’25, knew she wanted to blend her love for sports and build a career that focuses on helping others. In August 2025, Vecchia-Spooner made history as she was hired as the first female head athletic trainer in the ECHL’s Reading Royals’ 24-year history.
“It’s surreal to think of myself making history in such a way,” explained Vecchia-Spooner. “It’s so empowering for me, and it pushes me to work even harder to show the immense benefit of having a female on the staff. I hope that the little girls in the stands who watch our games see me on the bench and know that they can be in my shoes one day as well.”
And one may ask what a workday looks like for an athletic trainer in professional hockey. Overall, it’s a combination of many different skill sets coming together with the overall goal of making sure the players have everything they need to be successful.
“I truly believe that without Springfield College, I would not be here,” expressed Vecchia-Spooner. “The education and clinical experiences I received at Springfield College proved to me that SC is at the top athletic training program in the country.”
Gamedays start early for Vecchia-Spooner, arriving at the home arena in Reading, Pa. early in the morning to talk with coaches and provide them with injury updates. For injured players, she is in charge of their rehabilitation plans, whether it be post-surgical or not. Vecchia-Spooner also coordinates with all the members of the team medical staff, including the team doctor. As their main health care provider, she coordinates the players’ health insurance and their doctor’s appointments.
Once the game begins, Vecchia-Spooner is constantly staying alert for anything and everything related to the health and well-being of the players competing.
“During the game, I am on the players’ bench keeping an eye on every person on the ice, and checking on them when they return to the bench,” explained Vecchia-Spooner. “In case of an emergency, I am the first one on the ice, and the leader of the emergency action plan. I trust my athletes, and they trust me to do the right thing, and that’s an extremely valuable feeling.”
Working in professional sports is a natural fit for Vecchia-Spooner, who grew up in Danbury, Conn. Her dad worked in the front office of a local baseball team, so she had the privilege of spending her summers following the team's female athletic trainer.
“I was always enthralled, watching a woman be able to command a room and care for those performing at the top of their game,” described Vecchia-Spooner. “I knew what my profession was going to be from a young age.”
And when it came time to decide the best path to acquire the skills necessary to fulfill her dreams, Vecchia-Spooner chose a place that she knew would not only prepare her to be the best athletic trainer possible, but she selected a program that she trusted had the legacy of excellence to prepare her for future success.
“Something unique about the Springfield College Athletic Training program is the undergraduate coursework in exercise science,” explained Vecchia-Spooner. “From exercise physiology to kinesiology classes, I was able to learn about the human body during exercise at a most basic level, which was an easy pathway into our anatomy and physiology classes in the master’s program.”
As Vecchia-Spooner went on to continue her graduate studies in Athletic Training at Springfield College, she strengthened her skills in injury prevention and immediate injury care, and she also nourished her connections with her professors and peers.
“I cherish having the most supportive group of professors and administrators, who have been pioneers in the athletic training field,” explained Vecchia-Spooner. “Springfield College is a special place because as a student, you have professors who will do everything to help make you succeed. They made a huge impact on not only me, but all of my classmates as well.”
Now that Vecchia-Spooner is a member of that powerful Springfield College alumni network, she has fully embraced the opportunity to advocate for the athletic training profession, and to pay it forward for the next generation of athletic training professionals.
“I think people are starting to really appreciate the immense benefit of an athletic trainer’s education and skill set,” explained Vecchia-Spooner. “The profession continues to grow in non-traditional and clinical settings, proving that we truly are health care providers. Our professors at Springfield College taught us the importance of advocating for the athletic training profession, and to always help prepare that next generation of athletic trainers.”
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