Athletic Training Month Student Spotlight Series
France to Texas: A Gradate Student's Journey in Athletic Training
Charlcee Cervantez || March 26, 2025
Mathilde Coquillaud-Salomon's journey, from her youth in Nantes, France, to becoming an aspiring athletic trainer at Texas State University, showcases a remarkable blend of dedication and passion for sports.
Born and raised in France, she traded her familiar surroundings for the United States in 2018, pursuing both her love of track and field and higher education. Now, as she approaches her May 2025 graduation with a Master of Science in Athletic Training, the 26-year-old reflects on a path that has seamlessly bridged continents and cultures.
"Athletic trainers do not exist in my home country," Coquillaud-Salomon said, explaining her fascination with the profession. "Being introduced to this job where one gets to assist and play a role in the daily life of athletes was super cool to me."
After earning a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2022, she set her sights on Texas State. "My first choice was TXST as I heard nothing but good things about the master’s program and was inspired by people who already attended and were attending the program."
Her time at Texas State, within the Department of Health and Human Performance, has been marked by rigorous academic work and hands-on clinical experience. "Our success in this master’s program is a common effort from so many actors but I am most importantly grateful for the professors teaching the TXST MSAT program from whom I had/have the chance to learn from," she said. “Their passion for athletic training and dedication to teaching truly inspired me.”
A typical day for Coquillaud-Salomon involves balancing classroom lectures with practical clinical work, assisting with treatments, rehabilitation, field setups, documentation and game coverage. Her field experiences have been diverse, spanning football, baseball, women’s soccer, track and field, and men’s basketball, and even extending to organizations like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the University of Texas.
"My favorite moments remain game days and traveling to championships with teams and witnessing athletes’ success after overcoming different challenges throughout their season," she said.
As graduation looms, Coquillaud-Salomon’s sights are set on a career in Division I athletics, with a particular interest in track and field or women’s soccer. Her ultimate goal: to work within a Power 4 athletic training program. For future students aspiring to follow her path, she offers sage advice.
"TXST athletic training professionals collaborate to not only offer great teaching but also great clinical experience. Even if one is an MSAT student, it is never too early to act as a professional and treat each opportunity like an experience to think about and build their clinician philosophy and not solely focus on the school aspect of the program,” she said.
Coquillaud-Salomon's journey exemplifies the dedication and adaptability needed to succeed in the demanding field of athletic training. Her experiences, both academic and clinical, have prepared her to make a significant impact on the lives of athletes, bridging cultures and continents in the process.