Athletic Training has been my professional calling since I was a freshman in high school. I started by attending summer camps during my high school years to learn the basics of being an athletic trainer and was able to get practice by working with the school's football and basketball teams. I received my formal athletic training education and experience from the internship program at Ohio State from 1984-89 working with various teams including the football, men's lacrosse, ice hockey and men's gymnastics teams. While in undergrad I was fortunate to be able to work a summer internship with the Detroit Lions under Head Athletic Trainer & NATA Hall of Fame member, Kent Falb. That experience parlayed into another summer internship during my years in graduate school with the San Francisco Forty Niners. Upon graduating from Ohio State with my Masters degree in 1991, I began my professional career in Orlando, FL working in the clinical and high school setting striving to improve my manual and rehabilitation skills learning from some very gifted and talented physical therapists and athletic trainers.
After 5 years in Orlando, the offer came to move to the San Francisco area to work with the Forty Niners as an Assistant Athletic Trainer under the mentorship of athletic training legend, NATA Hall of Fame member, and longtime Head Athletic Trainer, Lindsy McLean. After 7 years as an assistant, Lindsy retired and I received an opportunity and the honor to serve as the Head Athletic Trainer where I remained in that capacity for 3 years. During my years with San Francisco, I pursued improving my manual therapy skills through attending various continuing education courses. The time with the Forty Niners provided me a very special and invaluable experience, preparing me for what lie ahead professionally. I have been able to improve my rehab and manual skills, but realize there is so much more to learn and improve on, that I have desired to attend something new each year to expand my skill set.
I came to Ithaca College in the fall of 2006 after having gained experience in the clinical, high school, and the professional settings which I hope will provide the students who come through our Athletic Training Education Program a unique perspective and a resource from which to draw from during their educational pursuits.