Heidi Matthews came to North Central College as the head athletic trainer, director of sports medicine, and instructor of health and physical education in 1993.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in 1981 from the University of Wisconsin and her master's degree from the University of Arizona in 1982, Matthews worked in a variety of athletic training roles before landing at North Central.
“I had been practicing largely in a college similar to North Central for several years and worked in a clinic where I was the outreach program director providing coverage to high schools and colleges. At that time, I realized my niche was in the college setting. I love the small college NCAA Division III atmosphere,” Matthews said.
“When I was hired, one of the goals was to get the athletic training education program accredited. At that time, we began exploring the accreditation process which has standards and guidelines that you need to comply with to get accredited,” said Matthews.
IN 2002,the North Central athletic training program was the first college in the Chicagoland area to gain accreditation, largely due to Matthews’ work over her first nine years at the College. The program remains accredited, now as a master’s program.
Matthews taught a majority of the athletic training courses and was named the inaugural dean of the College’s School of Education and Health Sciences in 2016. In that role, she was instrumental in developing a new health science major and the master's of occupational therapy program, and in overseeing major curriculum changes in education and kinesiology.
“I have loved all my roles at North Central. The relationship between athletics and academics has always been important to me,” said Matthews. “I have embraced that in all of my roles. Initially my role was combined with athletics and academics and I eventually transitioned into more of an academic role.”
Matthews has been honored throughout her career as an expert in athletic training education. She earned the College's Dissinger Award in 1998 and the Cleo Tanner Award in 2009. She was recognized as the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association Outstanding Educator in 2018; named to the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2008; and recognized as the National Athletic Trainers Association College/University Head Athletic Trainer of the Year for NCAA Division Ill in 2005.
On May 24,2018, the athletic training facility in Merner Fieldhouse was dedicated to Matthews to honor her legacy and contributions to North Central College and the athletic training profession.
“The importance of athletics in the life of the student-athlete and athletic training student has always been very important to me. Developing strong relationships was always a goal of mine, with student-athletes, athletic training students, coaches, faculty, and administration. It was critical to building a strong program,” Matthews said.
