Onward: An interview with Clarissa Ramirez
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Clarissa “Reese” Ramirez first came to Minot State University from Gateway Community College to play softball for the Beavers based mostly on a hunch.
It was a calculated risk that has been paying dividends ever since.
Ramirez was looking for a place to continue her softball career while starting a new career in athletic training. After two solid seasons for the Beavers, she has continued to stay connected to athletics through her work with student-athletes.
Today, the Tuscon, Arizona native has found a home with St. Louis University’s athletic department as an assistant athletic trainer for the NCAA Division I Billikens.
Working with multiple sports and two young shorthair pointer dogs keep Ramirez busy, but University Communications pulled a few strings to get some time to ask her a few questions for the next installment of Onward.
Tell us about your journey to Minot State, what were some of the reasons you originally chose to come to Minot State.
CR: I was introduced to Minot State from a teammate I played softball with throughout high school that was attending and playing at another NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) university. I had never heard of Minot or the University before I reached out to coach Triplett (former MSU head softball coach Bill Triplett). I actually didn’t come to campus for a visit before committing to move to Minot in the Fall of 2015. Looking back that was a huge gamble (that paid off in the long run), but I had a good feeling after talking to coach Triplett.
Coming from junior college, I was looking for a university that was affordable, where I could pursue athletic training as my major while also being able to continue my softball career. Minot State hit all these marks for me.
What were some of the reasons you chose to pursue athletic training as a career/major?
CR: I chose to pursue athletic training as a career/major because I spent my fair share of time with physical therapy and my athletic trainers during my time as an athlete. I knew I wasn’t interested in business or anything in that realm. I felt athletic training would give me the opportunity to give back to student athletes as a thank you to those who helped me get back to my sport.
What was your experience as a student-athlete and how did that experience shape your career?
CR: My experience as a student-athlete had a big impact on my career choice, I knew there was an opportunity to stay involved in the sports world after I was done playing sports competitively. What I didn’t realize early on is the level of opportunities there are in the sports world for careers whether it’s equipment management, turf management, event/facilities management, broadcasting/analytics, media personnel/photographers, academic support, sports psychologist, dietetics, along with doctors (many different practices), athletic trainers, physical therapist, sports performance. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes people involved that you might not always see during events.
I really don’t know what direction my career path would’ve gone if I hadn’t played sports. I had kind of always been looking to nursing, physical therapy and athletic training, or a science based major when thinking about what I wanted to do in the future. I think without being a student-athlete I would’ve had less exposure to these fields, which might have changed my career path.
You are a former student-athlete, how did that experience shape who you are today?
CR: I started playing softball when I was 7 years old, and it has been quite a journey to where I am today. There was so much blood, sweat and tears that came with softball and the endless lessons on hardships, adversity, responsibility, work ethic, and being a good human while trying to enjoy every opportunity in front of you.
Do you have a highlight or two of your time as a softball player for MSU, both on or off the field?
CR: I have multiple memories from my time as a student-athlete at MSU, some of my favorite memories would be the games against Bemidji State and University of Mary. The Battle of the Beavers and Beat the Team Down South games were always fun and competitive no matter what sports were playing.
One of the things that always stood out to me the most during my time at MSU was the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made through being a part of athletics! From the day I stepped foot on campus, the people I’ve met and befriended through Minot State were amazing. Still to this day, some of my best friends are beaver alums.
The sense of home away from home was unmatched compared to the other schools and programs I’d been a part of prior. The community in and around the university was so inviting and really embraced the out of state students as their own. Minot never really made me feel out of place, it is something I will never forget!
Tell us about your career path. Where were some of your stops from MSU to Saint Louis University and tell us about how those experiences prepared you for your current role?
CR: After I graduated from Minot State, I moved down to Edwardsville, Illinois to attend SIU-Edwardsville to pursue my masters in sport and exercise psychology and be a graduate assistant athletic trainer with club sports primarily working with club football and club ice hockey. I helped create a lot of social media content for campus recreation during the time of the pandemic and was able to work with our NCAA Division I baseball once sports were allowed to return.
While I was in grad school, I met my now fiancé, Josh. He is a Saint Louis native and was established in his career, so I moved across the river to Saint Louis, Missouri once I graduated from SIUE in May 2021 to start my first full-time job as an athletic trainer at Webster University. I was at Webster for three years working with all 14 NCAA sports before switching to Saint Louis University in the summer of 2024.
These experiences gave me a lot of hands-on experience working with student-athletes in different settings, but I also learned a lot about myself as a young professional. I learned about being adaptable and understanding priorities through opportunity and challenges, creating and setting boundaries while providing the best patient care possible and continuing to work on my own self-care. These are just a few of the things I’ve learned throughout my young career that have helped me prepare for SLU.
What is a day in the life like for you at Saint Louis, what are some of your general duties, what teams do you work with?
CR: I am one of the assistant athletic trainers here at Saint Louis University. I am responsible for providing medical care to our women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and women’s tennis programs.
As much as I would love to say my days are the same every day, they’re not. You never know what things will come into the athletic training room each day. Generally, I start my workday providing treatment to our swimming & diving and tennis student-athletes. Later in the afternoon I will treat volleyball closer to their strength and condition session and/or practice, attend volleyball practice, then provide post practice treatments for those who need it.
I also travel with teams. Travel days consist of making sure my med kit is fully stocked, extra supplies/tape, and any equipment we may need while on the road is distributed to our student athletes that will be traveling. The majority of our conference is on the East Coast so travel days are usually busy between the airports, practices, and treatments at the hotel before game day.
Going back to your time as a student-athlete, how important do you think those experiences help you with working with student-athletes now?
CR: My experience as a student-athlete helps me so much in my career. I can relate to many of the situations my student athletes are in or are going through and offer a listening ear and/or advice based on my previous experiences if they want it. I think being a former student-athlete helped me gain a better perspective of what my student-athletes are experiencing day to day and how I can help them in and outside of athletics.
What do you like to do outside of work, hobbies or other areas of interest?
CR: Our world revolves around our two shorthair pointers! Thunder, he is a 3-year-old liver roan and Lightning, she is a 7-month-old black roan. They keep us busy outside of work, but we can’t imagine our life without them.
Outside of work and taking care of our dogs, I spend time baking, crafting with my sewing machine or Cricut, and gardening. We also have been working on adding our own personal touches to our house we bought two years ago in South City in Saint Louis.
What else are we missing in telling your story?
CR: As a first-generation college student, I have been blessed with the people, opportunities and memories college has given to me. I encourage the younger student-athletes to find a university and community that feels like home away from home, and if you truly want to continue your academic and/or athletic career there is a place for you, sometimes it takes more work on your end. I am truly grateful Minot State provided me with that experience! ROLL BEAVS!
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 12/06/24
