Bengals Name WC Athletic Training Student as Team Intern

Maryn Herring's Selection Renews 30-Year Tradition of Cincinnati Team Hiring WC Interns Wilmington College’s presence in the National Football League continues as the Cincinnati Bengals selected Maryn Herring to serve as an intern during the 2021 season. PICTURED: Junior Maryn Herring will join the Bengals' medical staff as an athletic training intern in May. Herring, a junior from Columbus, will start with the team in May when players report for preseason physicals followed by training camp in late July in advance of the 17-game season and potential playoff berths. Her appointment continues Wilmington College's longtime affiliation with the Bengals' franchise, which dates back to 1968 when the team held its first of 29 annual summer camps on WC's campus. Herring is the latest of the Bengals' four-dozen athletic training interns from the College since 1981 graduate Paul Sparling became the team’s head athletic trainer in the early 1990s. "The experience I'll have working with a team at the top professional level will be unlike any other," she said. "I'm really passionate about athletic training and having the opportunity to work with Paul, along with assistant athletic trainers Roberto and Dan, will be great." Herring comes to the Bengals internship with such other hands-on learning experiences as working at a local high school, with WC's swimming team and FC Cincinnati Soccer Academy. "There's definitely a lot of pressure, but I feel well prepared," she added. "Wilmington College has prepared me well." Sparling has said, “When I have an athletic training intern recommended to me by Wilmington College, I know they’re going to be top-of-the-line.” He annually visits the College to present a Bengals injury case study to athletic training students. “With their education and experience, I get the cream-of-the-crop,” Sparling added. “The hands-on learning experience as part of Wilmington’s fine program allows those students to separate themselves from athletic training students at other institutions. It makes it an easy choice for me to bring Wilmington College students on board the Cincinnati Bengals medical staff.” Jennifer Walker, associate professor of athletic training, said the AT faculty felt Herring would be an especially strong candidate for such a choice internship. "She's worked very hard and is very deserving of this opportunity," she said. "Her experience with FC Cincinnati Academy really enhanced her knowledge and skill level. Maryn really blossomed after that experience."