DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University School of School of Exercise Science & Sport faculty member Matthew Munjoy was recently announced as the recipient of the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association’s (IATA) Karen Hovorka Humanitarian Award. The award is presented by the IATA to an individual who demonstrates acts of kindness and service by volunteering their time to a charity or non-profit organization.
Before joining Millikin in the fall semester as a full-time instructor, Munjoy has been an active leader in the athletic training field, serving on IATA’s Board of Directors for 13 years and leading the organization as President from 2016 to 2018. For the past 18 years, he has served as the Athletic Trainer at Maroa-Forsyth High School.
Munjoy has also been heavily involved in the Stone Thrown Forward initiative, which raises money to perform electrocardiograms (EKGs) for student-athletes during their annual physicals.
“Receiving this award means a lot, and when you get nominated for something like that, people get to see the work that you're putting into this profession and into things that maybe others don't see,” Munjoy said. In addition to performing athlete EKGs, I also conduct CPR certifications for teachers and coaches in the area. Receiving that from an organization that I've been a part of means a lot to me.”
Munjoy was also recently nationally recognized by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) as a 2025 winner of the Athletic Trainer Service Award, which recognizes NATA members for their commitment to leadership, volunteer service, advocacy, and professional activities at the local and state levels.
Munjoy is excited about his shift to teaching and preparing the next generation of athletic trainers in the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program, a recent addition to Millikin’s curriculum. Students can earn an MSAT in two ways: Athletic Training 3+2 or Graduate-Level Entry.
In the 3+2 program, students will complete the first three years of the Exercise Science major and then be eligible for a secondary admission process to complete the MSAT program. Students selecting this path will graduate with a master's degree in five years. The Graduate-Level Entry option allows students with a completed bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Athletic Training, or a related field at another university to apply for admission into Millikin's MSAT program.
“It has been very exciting. I’ve had the opportunity to join and observe the transition from the bachelor's program to the master's level program. Having a hand in that has been great,” Munjoy said.
Those MSAT graduates will be entering a job market that continues to place a high demand for the position, including areas not typically associated with athletic training.
"There has been a shortage in the number of athletic trainers graduating from master’s programs, so the supply has been limited, but demand has definitely increased. Salaries have increased over the last five years or so. Athletic trainers who come out will find themselves in much better work conditions and a more balanced work-life balance,” Munjoy said. “There are traditional settings in high schools and secondary schools as well as emerging areas such as working with physicians in physician practices and fields ranging from the military to the performing arts. There are athletic trainers everywhere, and they can be found in many unexpected sports. It could be NASCAR for them.
