Compassion Defines Greatness

Mike Weller has had a phenomenal career. As associate professor of athletic training, he has instructed, mentored, and coached hundreds of Cedarville students into careers that span high school, college, and professional sports. He is helping lead Cedarville’s program to new heights with the start of the Master of Athletic Training degree in June 2022.

Beyond Cedarville, he has served as the staff athletic trainer for the Cincinnati Bengals training camp since 2011. He also has worked for the National Football league as the eyes in the sky during Bengals football games to alert team medical staff about potential concussions.

By all earthly accounts, it would be easy to conclude that Mike is a great athletic trainer. But Mike himself learned, through a Billy Graham crusade, that greatness is not defined by career accomplishments.  

It was during that evangelistic event in 2000 where Mike, who had been raised in a Christian home and made a commitment to Christ at a young age, was confronted by the fact that Jesus was more of a side relationship for him, someone who was there but for Mike, not someone at the center of his life. He acknowledged that he was not following Jesus as Lord and went forward to rededicate his life to Christ.  

Since that moment, showing the kindness and compassion of Jesus has been the driving motivation of his life.

“A great athletic trainer operates with compassion,” he offers during the podcast. “They see a need but then they look for a way to impact that life, whether it’s on the football field, on the sidelines, or when someone comes to us with an eating disorder or a young lady who’s pregnant and she’s exploring having an abortion. As believers, we have the opportunity to act in that healthcare setting to really impact their lives, and that’s changed everything I’ve done.”