PT students go pro: Clinical rotations bring major league experience
When third-year physical therapy students Cheyenne Conger and Stephanie Budrock walked into their final clinical rotations at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Department of Physical Therapy, they didn’t step into a typical outpatient clinic. Instead, they found themselves among professional athletes, sports medicine teams and high-performance training regimens — one with Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox, the other with FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer.
Both students brought elite athletic backgrounds into their clinical work. Conger, a former collegiate softball player from Houston, was surrounded by baseball growing up — her husband Maddux Conger played in the Detroit Tigers organization and her father-in-law works as a pitching coordinator for the Cincinnati Reds. Budrock, originally from New Jersey, played professional soccer overseas in Italy, Sweden and Australia before pivoting to her lifelong goal of becoming a physical therapist.
“It has been an exciting opportunity to partner with a wide range of outstanding clinical sites that provide invaluable hands-on experience for our students,” said Dr. Leslie Ayres, director of clinical education in the College of Health Professions. “While Stephanie and Cheyenne were able to have clinical experiences with professional sports teams, our clinical partnerships also allow students to explore everything from pediatrics to neurology to acute care in order to find the right fit for their professional goals.”
For Conger, the experience with the White Sox during spring training confirmed her passion for sports physical therapy. “I kind of had it in the back of my mind just from my background,” Conger said. “But I didn’t want to close off any options.” After completing previous rotations in acute care, outpatient neuro and pediatric orthopedics, it was this final placement that clicked. “I didn’t feel like I was working a day. I never once looked at the time.”
Conger’s day started early — arriving around 5:30 a.m. to work out before team medical meetings began at 6:30 a.m. From there, she rotated between managing post-operative rehab for minor league players and assisting with maintenance therapy for healthy athletes. “We were constantly moving. Some days I didn’t eat lunch until 2:30 p.m.,” she said, noting that she appreciated how her clinical reasoning was tested in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. “I had to think on the fly and stay on task. It helped me grow not just as a clinician, but as a person — because you learn that even pro athletes are still just people.”
Budrock’s path to FC Cincinnati was more self-directed. A go-getter by nature, she built connections herself. “I went down the list of every team in the U.S., men’s and women’s, and just started reaching out,” Budrock said. Her persistence paid off. “I think having the pro soccer background helped, but I just kept putting my name out there.”
Her typical day with FC Cincinnati mirrored what she once experienced as a professional player — except now from the medical side. Arriving early to set up hydration and nutrition stations, Budrock helped guide pre-training activation routines, assisted with on-field rehab and conducted post-session treatments. “It was awesome being back in that environment,” she said. “But this time, I could really appreciate what the PTs and ATs did for us as athletes — and now I was one of them.”
Both students credit HSC’s PT program with preparing them for these high-level opportunities. “The didactic foundation gave me what I needed,” Budrock said. “And then I built on that through each of my rotations.” Conger agreed, saying that her background in baseball helped, but the diverse clinical experiences HSC offered gave her the tools to thrive in a professional sports setting.
With graduation just around the corner, both students are reflecting on transformative final rotations that sharpened their clinical skills and reinforced their career goals. “I always knew I wanted to do this,” Budrock said. “And now I know I can.”
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