ASU grad, Marine veteran wants to inspire other veterans through fitness
Aaron Eckard. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
After serving eight years as a radio operator in the United States Marine Corps, Aaron Eckard wanted to try something different and go to college. Finding the Pat Tillman Veterans Center (PTVC) and Arizona State University proved a perfect match.
Eckard started at the College of Health Solutions in 2020 and graduated with his undergraduate degree in sport science and performance programming in 2023. He started grad school last year and is on his way to earning his master’s degree in strength and conditioning.
In his time at ASU, Eckard worked for the PTVC as a student success team leader while working on both his undergrad and graduate degrees. While at the PTVC, he and a handful of other student veterans also helped to create FitVets, a program designed to get veteran and active-duty students involved in fitness at ASU.
“When I was working at the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, we came to the conclusion that fitness is a huge aspect of the military lifestyle, and when people transition out of the military, that's an important aspect that many of them lose,” Eckard said. “So that's a project that we started to bring that lifestyle aspect back to the veteran community here at ASU.”
Additionally, Eckard volunteered for Merging Vets and Players, a nonprofit that brings together former athletes and veterans, in his spare time.
In the below Q&A, he shares more about his academic journey, future plans and advice he has for other students.
Note: Answers have been edited lightly for length and/or clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: I've always been interested in the concepts behind strength and conditioning ever since I was a kid. Being in the military was the first time that, for me, being fit actually mattered since it affected how well I could do my job. The more I learned about strength and conditioning in the military, the more interested I became with it. As I was transitioning out of the military, I was like, "OK, well, I can do more with this than just trying to improve my own performance. I can help other people improve their performance too." That became my goal after I got out. It was less about me and more about other people.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: I had some friends in the military tell me ASU was a good school and that Arizona was a fun place to be. The school that I was going to attend back home in Pennsylvania wasn’t being super helpful regarding enrollment. I was trying to get my veteran's benefits started, but the whole process was slow and I got very little assistance.
So then, out of curiosity, I hit up the Pat Tillman Veterans Center at ASU because I got accepted here too. Within two days, the PTVC helped me to submit all of my benefit paperwork and helped me register for my classes. They made the process so easy, I decided to find an apartment, pack everything up and move here all on ten days' notice before the start of that semester.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: Coming in as a nontraditional student, my perspective was that it might be difficult to find my place here at ASU. I was worried that fitting in and relating to my peers or adjusting to the classroom environment would be either challenging or downright impossible. However, when I got here to ASU, my worries quickly disappeared and my perspective changed. I quickly realized that it doesn’t matter what anyone’s background or experience is, if everyone in the classroom is on the same journey and working towards the same goals, then everyone is on equal footing no matter their background.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: It’s honestly hard for me to choose just one, but Rachel Larson and Joe Marsit are two professors that have both had a significant impact on me. Since starting my undergrad in 2020 and now in grad school in 2024, I’ve been fortunate to be in class and learn from both since day one here at ASU.
One lesson they taught me that I want to make sure I put into practice after I graduate is to never settle for “that’s how it’s always been done” as an answer. Learning is a lifelong process, and to be the best practitioner possible, it’s imperative that we continue to seek out new information and learn.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?
A: My favorite spot on campus was definitely the Pat Tillman Veterans Center. Being a nontraditional student and a student veteran, it can sometimes be difficult to meet new people and make social connections in an environment where the average population is much younger or has vastly different life experiences than yourself. The center acted as a hub where I could not only sit in peace and quiet and study, but any day of the week, I could sit down, grab a coffee and meet and connect with other student veterans.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Sometimes the things that don’t make sense now end up making sense later. So, whether it’s school, work or everyday life, don’t give up on something just because it’s difficult. Play the long game, persevere and see things through to the end and you’ll find that your efforts are often rewarded in ways you might not expect.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: My current plans after graduation are to find employment as a strength and conditioning coach with any population, whether they be tactical, professional, collegiate, high school, etc. — as long as it is a group of motivated individuals who want to work hard, reach their potential and better themselves.
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