Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
The University of Utah Athletics
Getting To Know U: Claire Donskey
5/15/2018 1:31 PM | Women's Basketball
Whether it is being a head coach or a student manager, each member of the Utah women's basketball staff plays a key role for the student-athletes who come through the program. This summer, get to know the 2018-19 women's basketball staff through a series called "Getting to know U". Claire Donskey, Utah women's basketball's athletic trainer, is entering her third season with the Utes.
Q: Where are you from?
A: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Q: Why did you decide to become an athletic trainer?
A: I have been interested in the profession since high school. We had an after-school sports medicine program to learn more about it and when I wasn't at practice for my sport, I was in the athletic training room learning how to tape ankles. I have always wanted to work in health care, and I knew that I wanted to work with an athletic population. I loved the idea of a field or court being my office and, of course, love to watch sports. There's no other job like it.
Q: What all is involved in the certification process?
A: Right now, there are two options: graduate with a bachelor of science through an accredited athletic training education program, which typically lasts five semesters, or get an MS in an accredited entry-level Master's athletic training program, which is two years post-grad. During those programs, you take classes and complete 1,200 hours of clinical experience with different sports. Once you have completed either of the programs, you are eligible to sit for the NATA Board of Certification exam to be certified. Eventually, all programs will become entry-level Master's programs so you will need to go through a Master's program to become certified.
Q: Where did you get your degrees from?
A: B.S. in athletic training from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2014), M.S. in sports medicine from University of Utah (2017)
Q: Why did you choose to come to Utah after growing up in the Midwest?
A: I had two previous classmates from Wisconsin come to Utah for grad school and they really enjoyed it out here, so I knew I would like it. When I came out for the interview, it was obvious why. It is just like the Midwest out here, but add in the beautiful mountains. The people are so amazing and there is something for everyone here!
Q: What has been your favorite part about moving to Utah so far?
A: Exploring the mountains and meeting the people that have become like family to me. My friends are my family away from home.
Q: What is your favorite Salt Lake City restaurant?
A: Pago
Q: What do you like to do in your free time outside of work?
A: I teach a spin class and it's awesome to meet new people, listen to good music and be able to work out at the same time. I also like to be outside, whether that is soaking up the sun in the summer or snowboarding in the winter.
Q: What is your favorite road trip with women's basketball and why?
A: Arizona/Arizona State; I've been going to Arizona since I was young to visit my grandparents, so I am familiar with the area, love the desert and love seeing my grandparents when we go.
Q: What is something most people might not know about you?
A: I was a competitive figure skater for 9 years.
Q: Who have been some of the biggest influences in your life and why?
A: My parents – I am always asking myself what they would do in different situations. They raised me!
Q: If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
A: Kristin Wiig, Issa Rae and Ellen DeGeneres because I love all of their work. They are all unapologetically themselves and I would want a good laugh.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you have to have with you?
A: A towel, a book and a speaker
Q: What is your favorite professional sport and who is your favorite team?
A: Football and the Green Bay Packers. GO PACK GO!
Q: What would you do with the money if you won the lottery?
A: Take my entire family and all my friends on amazing trips around the world!
Q: Where are you from?
A: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Q: Why did you decide to become an athletic trainer?
A: I have been interested in the profession since high school. We had an after-school sports medicine program to learn more about it and when I wasn't at practice for my sport, I was in the athletic training room learning how to tape ankles. I have always wanted to work in health care, and I knew that I wanted to work with an athletic population. I loved the idea of a field or court being my office and, of course, love to watch sports. There's no other job like it.
Q: What all is involved in the certification process?
A: Right now, there are two options: graduate with a bachelor of science through an accredited athletic training education program, which typically lasts five semesters, or get an MS in an accredited entry-level Master's athletic training program, which is two years post-grad. During those programs, you take classes and complete 1,200 hours of clinical experience with different sports. Once you have completed either of the programs, you are eligible to sit for the NATA Board of Certification exam to be certified. Eventually, all programs will become entry-level Master's programs so you will need to go through a Master's program to become certified.
Q: Where did you get your degrees from?
A: B.S. in athletic training from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2014), M.S. in sports medicine from University of Utah (2017)
Q: Why did you choose to come to Utah after growing up in the Midwest?
A: I had two previous classmates from Wisconsin come to Utah for grad school and they really enjoyed it out here, so I knew I would like it. When I came out for the interview, it was obvious why. It is just like the Midwest out here, but add in the beautiful mountains. The people are so amazing and there is something for everyone here!
Q: What has been your favorite part about moving to Utah so far?
A: Exploring the mountains and meeting the people that have become like family to me. My friends are my family away from home.
Q: What is your favorite Salt Lake City restaurant?
A: Pago
Q: What do you like to do in your free time outside of work?
A: I teach a spin class and it's awesome to meet new people, listen to good music and be able to work out at the same time. I also like to be outside, whether that is soaking up the sun in the summer or snowboarding in the winter.
Q: What is your favorite road trip with women's basketball and why?
A: Arizona/Arizona State; I've been going to Arizona since I was young to visit my grandparents, so I am familiar with the area, love the desert and love seeing my grandparents when we go.
Q: What is something most people might not know about you?
A: I was a competitive figure skater for 9 years.
Q: Who have been some of the biggest influences in your life and why?
A: My parents – I am always asking myself what they would do in different situations. They raised me!
Q: If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
A: Kristin Wiig, Issa Rae and Ellen DeGeneres because I love all of their work. They are all unapologetically themselves and I would want a good laugh.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you have to have with you?
A: A towel, a book and a speaker
Q: What is your favorite professional sport and who is your favorite team?
A: Football and the Green Bay Packers. GO PACK GO!
Q: What would you do with the money if you won the lottery?
A: Take my entire family and all my friends on amazing trips around the world!
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