JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman athletic trainer Matt Cahoon has been named the Tennessee Athletic Trainers' Society's Eugene Smith/Mickey O'Brien College Athletic Trainer of the Year.

Cahoon is the third member of Carson-Newman's sports medicine staff to win the award.  He follows Brwyan Campbell (2016) and Mike Van Bruggen (2009) as recipients of the award.  

"I am honored and grateful to receive the TATS Eugene Smith/Mickey O'Brien College Athletic Trainer of the Year Award," Cahoon said. "There are former and current athletic trainers who have paved a way to make this profession great and I hope to continue this tradition by memorializing and honoring them with this award. I am thankful for God's mercy and grace; His provisions have given me strength during the toughest times of my life. I would also like to thank my C-N family, especially the sports medicine and athletics staff who continuously encourage me, as well as, my church, surrounding community, and family members who have supported and guided me to reach this milestone in my career." 

Cahoon is in his seventh year with Carson-Newman, he works with the golf and baseball programs. 

Cahoon is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and is a Licensed Athletic Trainer in the states of Tennessee and Maryland.

"I am absolutely thrilled for Matt Cahoon to receive this award," past recipient and C-N Director of Sports Medicine Mike Van Bruggen said. "He is an amazing person who is incredibly dedicated to providing the very best healthcare to our student-athletes.  Matt is one of my heroes and every day I'm glad I get to work with him."

He is CPR, AED, and First Aid certified by the American Safety & Health Institute as a BLS Healthcare Provider.