Sports Residency Mentors and Residents

Sports Residency Faculty

Kyle Matsel, PT, DPT, PhD, SCS, CSCS

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Program Director, PhD in Health Professions Education
ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program Director

Room 3009, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-5105
km218@evansville.edu

Dr. Matsel is faculty at the University of Evansville where he teaches in the musculoskeletal content areas of the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Evansville in 2011 and his PhD in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Kentucky in 2021. His research interests are in the identification of musculoskeletal injury risk factors and the implementation of arm care exercise programs for baseball players. He is the Director of the ProRehab & University of Evansville Sports Physical Therapy residency program. He is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Dr. Matsel is engaged in patient care at ProRehab specializing in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. Additionally, Dr. Matsel presents nationally on topics related to comprehensive, systematic movement-based assessment and testing and is a consultant with a number of collegiate and professional sports teams regarding injury prevention strategies.

Bethany Huebner, PT, DPT, PhD, SCS, MTC

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education
Department Chair of Physical Therapy

Room 3027, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-4062
bh212@evansville.edu

Dr. Huebner teaches within the area of musculoskeletal, foundational sciences, and clinical course work in the DPT program. She received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Professions Education from Bellarmine University in 2022, her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Indiana University in 2009, and her Bachelor's degree in Biology from The University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2006. Dr. Huebner graduated from the ProRehab and University of Evansville's Sports Residency program in 2010. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She also received her manual therapy certification through Evidence in Motion's program in 2014. Dr. Huebner's research interest is in injury prevention through individualized and group training and physical therapy education with an emphasis on feedback for learning.

Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, OCS, ATC, CSCS

Professor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education
Director of UE Residency Programs

Room 3017, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-2348
pp2@evansville.edu

Dr. Plisky teaches within the musculoskeletal and leadership/practice administration areas of the curriculum. He received his Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Evansville and his Doctor of Science degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Dr. Plisky has published research in leading scientific journals and lectured internationally on injury prevention and field expedient movement testing. He has received research grants from multiple federal and private agencies for injury prevention studies. His current research is focused on comprehensive movement testing and interventions in athletes, military personnel, and school-aged children. Dr. Plisky consults with collegiate and professional teams for injury risk identification and injury prevention. In addition, he serves as a manuscript reviewer for several scientific journals. He is also actively engaged in patient care in his own private practice in Evansville, IN and is the Director of UE Residency Programs.

Katie Whetstone, PT, DPT, SCS

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Assistant Director of Clinical Education

Room 3016, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-2549
kl68@evansville.edu

Dr. Whetstone is a 2012 graduate of the University of Evansville Doctor of Physical Therapy program and a 2013 graduate of the University of Evansville/Pro Rehab Sports Residency Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and is a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She continues to be involved in the sports residency program as a clinical mentor and assists with curriculum development. Katie remains active in the clinical setting as a sports and pelvic health physical therapist at Rehabilitation and Performance Institute (RPI) where she specializes in the treatment of females with pelvic floor dysfunction and athletes at all levels. Her special interests include the application of injury prevention programs, the female athlete, and the postpartum female.

Mentors

Alyssa Englert, PT, DPT, SCS

ProRehab Sports Residency Mentor

aw279@evansville.edu

Alyssa is a graduate of the University of Evansville Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and a graduate of the University of Evansville and ProRehab Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program. She is a Board-Certified Specialist in Sport Physical Therapy and is a Functional Dry Needling Specialist. Alyssa is a mentor in the Sport Residency Program and is also an Adjunct Professor in the University of Evansville DPT program.

Alyssa enjoys working with athletes and active individuals of all ages and is passionate about injury prevention and promoting an active lifestyle throughout the lifetime. In addition to her clinical role, Alyssa is involved in performance training through ProMotion, a performance enhancement and injury prevention program. Alyssa enjoys leading an active lifestyle and spending time outdoors with her husband, Sean, and dog, Remi.

Franny Matsel, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, TPS

ProRehab Sports Residency Mentor

812-488-3445
fe5@evansville.edu

Board Certified Sports Specialist
Franny received her undergraduate degree in Movement Science from the University of Evansville in 2008. While at the University of Evansville she also achieved a minor in psychology and sport and exercise psychology. She earned her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Evansville in 2010. Franny is a 2011 graduate of the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program and is a board certified sports specialist. She is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a member of the Sports Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.|

Franny continues to mentor in our sports residency program. Her strong interest in injury prevention keeps her active in community screenings and physicals at the local school. She loves treating any level of athletes. She has specialized training in Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Functional Movement Screen and the Fundamental Capacity Screen. Franny also has extensive training in trigger point dry needling. She has recently pursued further education relating to pain science and is a Therapeutic Pain Specialist.

Franny grew up in Evansville and continues to stay connected with the community. She keeps very active in her spare time and enjoys running, biking, and swimming along which chasing her two small children. She continues to stay involved at the University of Evansville by volunteering in the pro bono Ace CARE clinic and lab assisting in the physical therapy department. She enjoys spending time helping at Riding Hope where she assists in providing hippotherapy for children with special needs. She loves to travel and enjoys hearing stories from her patients’ travels. Franny lives in Evansville with her husband and two children.

A.J. Hermann, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC/L

ProRehab Sports Residency Mentor

ah311@evansville.edu

A.J. is a 2018 graduate of the University of Evansville Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and is a board-certified Athletic Trainer through the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOCAT). A.J. became a board-certified sports specialist in physical therapy by earning his SCS in 2020. He has a special interest in working with athletes of all ages and levels with emphasis on movement optimization and injury prevention. A.J. is a PRN Athletic Trainer for ProRehab. He has completed and assisted research in breathing dysfunction, return to sport and performance testing, as well as movement patterns in baseball players. He has completed Concussion Rehabilitation continuing education through Evidence in Motion, as well as earned his certification in Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation through Owens Recovery Science. A.J. has completed SFMA level 1 and 2, FMS level 1, and FCS. A.J. is certified in Functional Dry Needling level 1 through Evidence in Motion and is ASTYM certified. A.J. serves as a mentor in the University of Evansville and ProRehab Sports Residency Program.

Brian Joyce, PT, DPT, SCS

ProRehab Sports Residency Mentor

bj42@evansville.edu

Brian received his BS in Exercise Science in 2010 and his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of Evansville. Starting with ProRehab in 2012 as a resident in ProRehab’s Sports Residency Program, he became certified in Level 2 Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), the Y-Balance Test, and Level 1 Functional Dry Needling.

After completion of the residency program, Brian received his Board Certification as a Sports Certified Specialist in 2014. He continues to work closely with the residency as a mentor and curriculum committee member. He hopes to unite his passion for endurance sports and his sports specialty in PT by pioneering a “pre-rehab” program for endurance athletes in the Evansville community who are looking to refine their movement patterns, optimize performance and reduce their injury risk.

Residents

Lane Brown, PT, DPT

Sports Resident

lb365@evansville.edu

Lane graduated with his bachelor’s degree in health science in 2020 and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2022 from Maryville University of St. Louis. Lane is currently a Sports Physical Therapy Resident in the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program. He is passionate about working with athletes of all ages to help them return to the playing field, decrease their risk for injury, and optimize movement patterns to promote optimal athletic performance. Lane chose the ProRehab and Evansville Sports Residency program for the clinical mentorship, residency family environment, and various unique learning experiences. He is thrilled to continue learning to provide exceptional clinical care to better serve the community.

Megan Burns, PT, DPT, CSCS

Sports Resident

mb710@evansville.edu

Megan is from Sylvania, Ohio and attended Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale, FL where she earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science (2019) while playing NCAA Division II volleyball for 4 years. She then earned her DPT from NSU in 2022. Megan was drawn to the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency program by the opportunities to work with athletes of all ages, strong mentorship program, opportunity to teach within UE’s DPT program, and ability to work within the interdisciplinary sports medicine team daily. She is passionate about helping athletes safely return to the playing field, studying the connection between movement quality and performance, and inspiring the next generation of sports medicine professionals.

Courtney Klueppel, PT, DPT

Sports Resident

ck253@evansville.edu

Courtney Klueppel graduated with her Bachelor of Science from Brescia University in 2020, and then completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at University of Evansville in 2023. While at Brescia University, Courtney was a part of the NAIA collegiate fastpitch softball team, where her passion for optimal movement and injury prevention grew. During her time at the University of Evansville, she worked on various research projects investigating current injury prevention utilized in softball and baseball. Courtney was drawn to the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Physical Therapy Program through the sense of community and mentorship, the strive for professional excellence, and the ability to make an impact across the hierarchy of athletics.

Alec La Rosa, PT, DPT

Sports Resident

al406@evansville.edu

Alec is from San Mateo, CA and graduated from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Southern California (USC). Prior to attending USC, Alec received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. There, he worked as a student intern at the athletic training center where he developed his passion for the rehabilitation of collegiate athletes, and ultimately decided to pursue physical therapy. Alec chose to attend the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program due to the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience in working with high school, collegiate, and professional athletes, in addition to the family-oriented foundation of the program. He is especially interested in return to sport considerations and exercise progressions for various athletic populations and hopes to gain a deeper understanding of how to promote optimal movement patterns through the residency program.

Jon Newbold, PT, DPT, CSCS

Sports Resident

jn206@evansville.edu

Jon graduated from the Maryville University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in December of 2021, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Human Health Science. Jon is currently a Sports Physical Therapy Resident in the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Jon enjoys working with the local high school and collegiate athletes in the area helping to ensure that proper movement patterns are restored and enhancing their recovery process to safely return to sports. He chose the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program due to the family atmosphere that it has formed. He is amazed with the amount of clinical knowledge and expertise that he has gained so far from the residency faculty and mentors.

Stephanie Sherwood, PT, DPT

Sports Resident

ss883@evansville.edu

Stephanie Sherwood graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science in 2019 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2021 from Maryville University in Saint Louis, MO. While at Maryville University for her undergraduate and graduate studies, she was a member and team captain of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball and Track & Field teams. Stephanie is currently a Sports Physical Therapy Resident in the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program. She is passionate about diagnosis and treatment of movement dysfunction, injury prevention, and bridging the gap between sport performance and physical therapy.

Mason Stitt, PT, DPT

Sports Resident

ms912@evansville.edu

Mason is from Hagerstown, Indiana and attended Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis (IUPUI) where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Mason went on to the University of Evansville where he earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Mason is currently a Sports Physical Therapy Resident in the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sport Residency Program. He is passionate about restoring optimal movement patterns in high school, collegiate and professional athletes and bridging the gap from rehabilitation to performance.

Academic Programs Physical Therapy