University of Delaware Athletics
UD Athletic Trainers Wrap Up Celebration of National Athletic Training Month
4/5/2017 9:40:00 AM | Delaware Athletics
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware Athletic Training program recently wrapped up celebration of March as National Athletic Training Month.
This year's slogan was “Your Protection is Our Priority.”
Each March, athletic trainers from around the country come together to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers.
An athletic trainer (AT) is a medical professional who works in collaboration with physicians to prevent, evaluate, manage, and rehabilitate athletic injuries.
“One of the greatest things about the Athletic Training profession is guiding the athlete from the initial injury all the way back to returning to play," said UD assistant director of athletics and head athletic trainer Dan Watson. "There is tremendous job satisfaction in being part of the entire process and seeing your athlete successfully return to competition."
The University of Delaware has one of the oldest accredited athletic training education programs in the country. Keith Handling and Dr. C. Roy “Doc” Rylander - both members of the UD Athletics Hall of Fame - founded the program in 1972.
The first graduating class coincided with the program becoming fully accredited in 1975. In 1993, UD Athletics began funding graduate assistantships for Certified Athletic Trainers to gain valuable clinical experience at the collegiate level while completing their Master's degree.
Handling, who is still a professor within UD's Athletic Training major, handed over the program reigns to Dr. Tom Kaminski in 2003. Since 2003, 171 students have graduated from the program and passed the board exam to become Certified Athletic Trainers. It is estimated that UD has produced well over 300 Certified Athletic Trainers since that first graduating class of 1975.
“Since its' inception in 1972, the Athletic training Education program (ATEP) at the University of Delaware has been respected as a leader in preparing outstanding athletic training professionals to enter the workforce as true allied health professionals," said Dr. Kaminski. "The collaborative environment created between the Department of Athletics and Recreation Services and the ATEP housed in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, is a testament to creating a learning environment for our students both in and out of the classroom that prepares them for the rigors of a rewarding career as an athletic trainer."
Upon graduation, many students go onto graduate school. From there they are employed in the high school, clinic, or collegiate/professional setting.
Below is a list of the numerous UD athletic training education program alumni who are currently working clinically at commonly recognized NCAA Division I collegiate or professional sports settings:
Ricker Adkins – Temple University
Chrissy Beckman – Auburn University
Maggie Berkowitz – Appalachian State University
Chelsea Best – Indiana University
Jon Boone – University of Florida
Julia Brandt – Columbia University
Karissa Carty – Farleigh Dickinson University
Katelyn Engen – Yale University
Rae Everson – Ohio St. University
Steve Feldman – Philadelphia Eagles
Collin Francis – Indiana University
Evan Griskowitz – Seattle Seahawks
Brian Goodstein – DC United
Jon Hernandez – LA Rams
Nick Jensen – Atlanta Braves (minor league affiliate)
Regan Jones- Princeton University
Meeja Kinsey – DC United
Matt Koscs – NJIT
Leah Lamborn – Villanova University
Paul Lowry – University of Delaware
Melissa Mackey – NJIT
Uriah Myrie – Arizona St
Craig Oates – University of Virginia
Diamond O'Donovan – Campbell University
Taka Sakurai – Philadelphia Phillies (minor league affiliate)
Kelly Stafford – University of Delaware
Brett Sammons – Stoneybrook University
Sean Stryker – Auburn University
Johnnie Taggart – Rutgers University
Dan Tocci - Rutgers University
Caitlyn Vanwie – University of Connecticut
Dan Watson - University of Delaware
MEDIA INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
