October 5, 2026 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
Matt Drescher is committed to the holistic development of athletic trainers – both as students and then as professionals throughout their careers. From curriculum and instruction to moral engagement and work satisfaction, he looks at the profession across the lifespan and from every angle.
Drescher’s journey began in Rock Hill, South Carolina when he studied athletic training at Winthrop University. He followed his bachelor’s graduation with two back-to-back doctoral degrees from Indiana State University – the first focused on athletic training and the second, a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.
“I’ve always been curious about how I can improve the learning process for athletic trainers and healthcare providers,” Drescher says. “I’m particularly interested in how curriculum and instruction impact student development.”
His interests in moral distress and moral disengagement began when he saw a news story about a medical error that was made by a physician working for the NFL.
“I thought to myself, ‘why would they do that?’” Drescher recalls, wondering if perhaps the stress of the environment or some other factors led to a choice that was contraindicated for the situation. “And I decided I would learn more about ethical decision making among healthcare providers and how we can prepare current and future athletic trainers for these challenges.”
After graduating in 2023, Drescher spent the next three years as an assistant professor of practice at North Dakota University before accepting his new role as a clinical assistant professor with the Department of Exercise Science’s athletic training program. He also serves as the program’s coordinator of experiential learning and is managing editor for the journal, Clinical Practice in Athletic Training.
"Matt brings experiences that are unique for someone at this stage of his career," says exercise science chair Shawn Arent. "Because of this, he has been able to seamlessly integrate into the athletic training program. Additionally, he seems like a fantastic fit for our department’s culture."
“I joined the Arnold School because of its fantastic faculty and focus on student success,” Drescher says. “I am most looking forward to contributing to the development of the best and brightest athletic trainers and growing the program.”