Brooke Trendel didn’t always know exactly what she wanted to do, but she always knew two things: she loved sports, and she wanted to help people.
Growing up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, she spent her childhood immersed in athletics, playing basketball and soccer and staying active year-round. But it wasn’t until an injury in high school changed her path that everything began to come into focus.
“I dislocated my shoulder twice,” she said. “I had to get surgery, and I was out for about five months.”
That recovery process introduced her to something new. While rehabbing, she began shadowing her high school athletic trainer.
“I just fell in love with it,” said Trendel, who is graduating with a Master of Science in Athletic Training. “It’s sports and helping people combined into one. That’s exactly what I wanted to do.”
It was a turning point that would ultimately lead her to Concordia.
Finding the Right Fit
Concordia offered a strong reputation in athletic training, an accelerated program, and early immersion in the major.
“They jump you into your classes right away,” Trendel said. “And the reputation really precedes the school.”
There were other factors, too—proximity to home, the campus environment, even the view of Lake Michigan. But what mattered most was the sense that she had found the right place to grow.
From Student to Professional
During her time at Concordia, her commitment to her studies led to one of the most competitive and defining experiences of her college career: securing the Milwaukee Brewers athletic training internship.
“I was floored when I got it,” she said. “I went to my dorm room and I was like, ‘I can’t believe it!’ Because growing up around here, I went to Brewers games. I was so excited.”
The opportunity didn’t come easily. After being turned down the first time she applied, Trendel leaned into feedback, worked closely with faculty mentors, and tried again.
“The second time, it went my way,” she said.
What followed was a full season embedded with a Major League Baseball organization, an experience that helped shape her understanding of the profession. From early afternoons preparing the training room at American Family Field, to late nights focused on player recovery, the work was intense and constant.
“Every home game, I was there,” she said. “We had a lot to do before the game and then a little bit afterwards, but it was super fun. I felt like I became a different student after the internship, and I fell in love with the sport. I fell in love with the intensity of it.”
Memories with the Brewers
She was part of the Brewers’ historic 2025 season, highlighted by 97 regular-season wins and a dramatic Game 5 playoff victory over the rival Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series.
“The champagne showers after we beat the Cubs,” she said. “That’s something I’ll never forget.”
There were moments, too, when she felt fully part of the clubhouse. During one stretch, players Christian Yelich and Trevor Megill jokingly challenged her to sing the national anthem in front of the team.
“It just showed how welcoming they were,” she said.
She quickly discovered that athletic training at the professional level is very much about relationships and routine.
“Players all have their routines, and we’d help them out with those routines,” she said. “You’re helping them prepare, recover, and stay ready every single day.”
Saving a Life
While her work with the Brewers highlighted her growth in sports medicine, another moment revealed something deeper: her readiness under pressure.
For four years, Trendel has worked as an EMT, balancing coursework, clinicals, and long shifts in emergency response. That experience proved critical one evening on Concordia’s campus.
After finishing clinicals, she became aware of an emergency unfolding in a nearby residence hall. A student had collapsed suddenly and was unresponsive.
When she arrived, others had already begun CPR. Trendel stepped in alongside fellow students and campus safety officers, continuing life-saving efforts and helping apply a defibrillator. The situation was dire. The student had flatlined multiple times and spent days in a coma before beginning a long recovery. Against all odds, he survived.
Later, seeing him walking again brought the moment into full perspective for Trendel.
“Sometimes as an EMT, you don’t get to see the after effects of what you do,” she said. “But seeing him walking around was really great to see and very gratifying.”
The Path Forward
Trendel credits much of her journey to persistence and to faith. There were setbacks along the way, including early rejections while applying for professional roles. But each moment, she said, ultimately led her where she was meant to be.
“There’s a reason for everything,” she said. “Looking back, the timing worked out exactly how it was supposed to.”
That perspective carried her through the next major step in her journey: securing a position after graduation with the Houston Astros organization.
After months of applications, interviews, and networking, she received an offer to join the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Houston Astros’ Double-A affiliate in Corpus Christi, Texas. Just days after graduation, she will relocate to begin her role, stepping fully into the professional world she has worked toward for years.
“They were willing to hold a spot for me,” she said. “I was so grateful.”
Faith and Resilience
Looking ahead, Trendel hopes to continue working her way up through professional baseball, with the long-term goal of reaching the major leagues. In addition she wants to continue as a role model for women in what is a traditionally male-dominated field.
“I knew I could always rely on God in moments of need,” she said. “There would be hard times where I was kind of burnt out from everything I’d be going through, but no matter what was going on, whatever high stress was going, I always knew this is part of God’s plan, and he’s going to set you on the right path.”
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of stories highlighting a few Concordia’s uncommon graduates. Faculty and staff submit candidates for consideration. Stories are posted in the days leading up to or after commencement. View more uncommon graduates here.
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Concordia University Wisconsin’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program combines classroom learning with extensive clinical experience to prepare students for careers in sports medicine. The CAATE-accredited program equips graduates with the skills needed to pass the Board of Certification exam and work in a variety of healthcare and athletic settings.