Talon Bird- Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine (FB / MBB / M&W GOLF)
Email: talonbird@suu.edu
Talon Bird joined Southern Utah Athletics in August of 2022 as the new Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine.
"Over his career, Talon has established a reputation of being someone who cares deeply for the student-athletes he serves, while being a premiere educator and mentor for athletic training students. With Talon's experience and leadership, our student-athletes health will be well cared for." said Todd Brown. Bird has worked with many athletic training students during his time at Weber State University. Brown went on to say "I am extremely grateful to Talon and his family for accepting this position. Southern Utah University and Cedar City will benefit greatly as a result of their decision to join the T-Bird family."
Talon who is a native of Ephraim Utah received an Associate degree at Snow College before moving on to Weber State University where he completed a Bachelors degree in Athletic Training. Bird is currently finishing a Master's of Athletic Training program here at Southern Utah University.
Talon will bring his wife Natalie and their 4 boys to Cedar City. "We are excited to be down here, we love to be outdoors, so Southern Utah is going to be a great fit for our family" said Bird. Athletic Director Todd Brown added "The fact that his name is Talon Bird just seemed to be the icing on the cake."
Taylor Spencer- Associate Director of Athletic Training (FB / T&F)
Email: taylorspencer6@suu.edu
Taylor Spencer joined us in August of 2024 to take on the role of Assistant Director of Athletic Training within SUU’s Sports Medicine department where he will work primarily with Football and Track/Field.
Having grown up in Nampa, Idaho between the Owyhee and Boise mountain ranges Taylor was ecstatic to move from Oklahoma to Cedar City and back into the mountains. Taylor joined us after serving as the Athletic Trainer for the women’s rowing team at University of Oklahoma. While working at Oklahoma Taylor adopted a blue heeler dog, Duke, who appeared one day at a rowing practice and followed Taylor out to his truck. Prior to his time in Norman, he had worked with the Track/Field teams at both University of Kansas and BYU.
After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Santiago, Chile, Taylor attended Brigham Young University-Idaho. It was there that he discovered Athletic Training and realized his love for working with athletes and the medical field. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology in 2016 and then attended Weber State University to earn a Master’s in Athletic Training.
In his free time Taylor loves a variety of different hobbies including hunting/fishing, camping, and in general being outdoors. His favorite hobby though is cooking where his crown jewel is Texas Smoked Brisket. He loves the experimentation of trying new recipes and adding to old classics for a new flavor.
Jordan Matthews- Assistant Director of Athletic Training (GYM / T&F)
email: jordanmatthews1@suu.edu
Jordan Faith Matthews is a Texas native with a deep-rooted connection to her home state where most of her family resides. Her journey led her to Brigham Young University (BYU), where she was recruited to join the college gymnastics team. At BYU, she pursued her passion for health and wellness and earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise and Wellness. Following her undergraduate studies, Jordan returned to Texas to pursue her Master's Degree in Athletic Training at Texas State University.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Jordan finds joy and fulfillment in her personal life. She shares her home with her wonderful husband and their beloved black lab, Mr. Frodo. When she's not busy with work, Jordan indulges in her hobbies, which include reading, music, and spending quality time with her dog, as well as with her husband, family, and friends. A daily goal for Jordan is to bring a smile or laughter to someone's day. Jordan lives her life guided by the quote “Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person.” ~Plato.
Chace Anderson- Assistant Director of Athletic Training (MBB)
email: nicolasanderson@suu.edu
Chace Anderson joined the T-Bird staff in July 2025 as Assistant Director of Athletic Training primarily working with Men’s basketball.
He got his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Weber State University and furthered his education with a Master’s degree in Physical Education – Athletic Administration from Idaho State University.
He started his Athletic Training career as a Graduate Assistant at Idaho State University, where he worked with a variety of sports. From there, he worked at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he worked with the Track and Field/XC program. Returning to Idaho State University, he worked with the Men’s Basketball and Women’s Golf. Most recently, he worked at Hill Air Force Base with the F35 fighter pilots.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching or playing sports, and unwinding with video games.
Anna Walker- Assistant Athletic Trainer (SB / VB)
email: annawalker@suu.edu
Anna Walker, originally from Payson, Utah, received her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Southern Utah University in the spring of 2022. Walker then continued her education here at Southern Utah University, where she completed a Master's of athletic training program.
As an athletic training student, Anna was not just a passive learner. She actively engaged with numerous Southern Utah University sports teams and the surrounding high schools, as well as a D2 University in South Carolina. Her dedication and hands-on experience led to her selection as one of three students to represent the region in a national Quiz Bowl competition.
In her free time, Anna enjoys being with her friends and family, whether that is outside on a hiking trail or inside watching a movie. Anna is excited to rejoin T-Bird nation and to see where this journey will take her.
Morgan Mersola- Assistant Athletic Trainer (T&F)
email: mersolamorgan@suu.edu
Morgan Mersola was born and raised in Burbank, California, where she grew up playing softball and first discovered her passion for sports medicine through her high school’s athletic training program. In 2019, she moved to Cedar City to attend Southern Utah University, earning her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology in 2023, graduating with honors. She continued her education at SUU and completed her Master’s in Athletic Training in 2025. During her graduate studies, Morgan conducted research on dry needling. Her study, “Electrical Stimulation and Localized Heat After Dry Needling Treatment to Reduce Low Back Pain,” was published in the Practice of Athletic Training research journal. She also presented her findings at the National Athletic Training Convention.
Morgan is passionate about providing high-quality, compassionate care and being a strong advocate for student-athletes. Dedicated to supporting student-athletes in every way she can, she lives by the quote, “For a true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.” – Zeus, Hercules — a reflection of her belief in leading with both heart and clinical expertise. She is excited to begin her professional career at SUU, working alongside mentors who helped shape her journey and giving back to a university and athletic department she deeply values.
Outside of athletic training, Morgan enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends, and her dog Finn, binge-watching TV shows and movie series, and spending summer days at the lake.
Kayla Dowler- Assistant Athletic Trainer (SOS / WBB)
email: kayladowler@suu.edu
Kayla Dowler returns to Southern Utah University as an athletic trainer, reconnecting with a place that played a pivotal role in her personal and professional journey. A proud SUU alumna, Kayla competed as a member of the Thunderbird volleyball team while earning her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Her time as a student-athlete at SUU sparked a deep interest in athletic training and sports performance, ultimately shaping the direction of her career.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Kayla pursued a Master’s degree in Athletic Training at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. While at UW–Madison, she had the opportunity to work with a wide range of collegiate athletes across multiple sports, including football and rowing. Her hands-on clinical experiences helped her develop a comprehensive skill set in injury prevention, evaluation, rehabilitation, and overall athlete wellness. These diverse experiences have allowed her to bring a well-rounded and evidence-based approach to her practice.
Kayla’s upbringing was shaped by frequent moves, which exposed her to a variety of communities and sports cultures across the country. She has called several states home, including Georgia, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Utah. Each place helped shape her adaptable and outgoing personality, as well as her passion for building strong relationships with the athletes and teams she supports.
Outside of her professional life, Kayla is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, and exploring nature. She spends much of her free time adventuring with her dog, Kali, who’s become her constant companion on the trails and in everyday life.
Kayla is excited to return to SUU and give back to the community that helped launch her career. She looks forward to supporting Thunderbird athletes both on and off the field and contributing to a culture of health, performance, and resilience.
