School of Integrated Health Sciences: Yutaka Saho 

In his native Japan 30 years ago, a young Yutaka Saho came across a story about American athletic trainers in a sports magazine. He’d just injured his back playing soccer, and had never heard of the profession. He came to UNLV to get that training and then built an international career in sports medicine focused safety. He founded Sports Safety Japan in 2007 and is director of national teams/vice sports director for the Japan Ice Hockey Federation. He also has worked with Japan’s Olympic teams and as chief medical/safety officer for World Baseball Classic Japan Round tournaments. 

Although today he lives thousands of miles away, he remains connected to UNLV, fostering academic partnerships with Japanese institutions and creating international learning opportunities for students. 

What does being selected as the 2026 School of Integrated Health Science Honoree mean to you?

When I look back on my time at UNLV, what I remember most is the anxiety — wondering whether I could even finish the program, whether my English would ever be good enough, or whether I truly belonged. But completing my degree and becoming a certified athletic trainer gave me a kind of courage I hadn't had before. 

Every goal that came after, I was able to pursue without fear because I had already done the hard thing. Receiving this award gives me a chance to look back and, for the first time, tell that younger version of myself: You did well.

You've worked at the highest levels of sport, including the Olympics. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Serving as the athletic trainer for Japan’s Men’s National Ice Hockey Team at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics — on home soil — was unforgettable. 

I was introduced to ice hockey during my final internship in the United States, just before returning to Japan. I knew almost nothing about the sport but that introduction sparked something lasting. I eventually stepped away from the trainer role, but ice hockey never left my life. Today, as director of national teams for the Japan Ice Hockey Federation, it has become a true lifelong career.

How did your time as an international student at UNLV shape your approach to leadership and working across cultures?

Living and working in places where your own values and assumptions don't automatically apply teaches you something no classroom can: humility and the ability to truly listen. I've worked in Japan, the United States, and Chile across different languages, cultures, and sports systems — and each experience has expanded who I am.

A room full of people from different countries working toward the same goal is valuable for everyone in that room. The domestic students gain perspective, and international students build confidence. Thirty years later, I'm still using the communication skills and adaptability I developed in UNLV's classrooms — and during late-night talks with my senior trainers at the Four Kegs near campus.

What advice do you have for current UNLV students, especially international students navigating uncertainty?

Leaving home, moving to a country with a different language, and starting over takes real courage. That challenge only gives — it never takes. Everyone starts uncertain. Stay passionate, keep taking small steps forward, and the path will open.

To anyone pursuing sports medicine, remember that this is a profession where you can make a real difference in someone's life, even if your work happens mostly out of the spotlight. Your name won't always be in the headlines, and that's okay. Focus on doing the small things with full commitment. Accumulate those moments over time, stay curious, and be a Rebel.