Eliana Cheng, exercise sciences student and intern for UC Irvine Athletics Sports Medicine program, starts her workday long before fans arrive and the first whistle blows. Students can access the internship through the UCI Sports Medicine Club, which serves as a bridge from membership to clinical exposure with UCI Athletics. Club members can participate in observership, shadowing opportunities and apply for an internship to get connected with real-world professionals. Once accepted into the internship program, two to three interns are paired with one certified AT who oversees two athletic teams. Applications for the sports medicine internship are released annually at the end of winter quarter, with selected interns beginning training in the spring and receiving team assignments for the following academic year.