College Athletic Trainers' Society

Scott Anderson, ATC 

University of Oklahoma, retired

Scott is retired, having served, 1996 to 2022, as the Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to the University of Oklahoma, he held a similar position at Tulane University.

Scott currently represents the College Athletic Trainers Society as a member of the NCAA Mental Health Advisory Group and is engaged in research as Director of the National Registry of Catastrophic Sports Injuries Research.

Prior service includes: President, College Athletic Trainers Society, 2009 to 2022; Member, NCAA Concussion Advisory Group, 2018 to 2022; Member, Operating Committee, NCAA/DOD Grand Alliance CARE Consortium, 2014 to 2022; Member, Spine Injury in Sport Group; Co-Director, Summit on Safety in College Football, 2014 & 2016; Member, NCAA Concussion Task Force, 2014; Member, Inter-Association Task Force on Safety in Football: Off-Season Conditioning, 2012; Co-Chair, National Athletic Trainers’ Association Inter-Association Task Force on Sickle Cell Trait in Athletes, 2007; Member, Inter-Association Task Force on Exertional Heat Illness, 2003; and Chair, Big 12 Conference Medical Aspects of Sport Committee, 1999 to 2002.

Recognitions: College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year, 2006; All-American Football Foundation Outstanding Athletic Trainer, 2005; Big 12 Conference Sports Medicine Staff of the Year, 2000-01 & 2018-19; Oklahoma Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, 2015; Korey Stringer Institute Lifesaving Research Award, 2018; National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, 2022.

Ronnie Barnes, MS, ATC

New York Giants

Ronnie Barnes's journey with the Giants organization began in 1976, marking the start of an illustrious career that has seen him rise to the position of head athletic trainer since 1980. His dedication and expertise led to promotions within the organization, first as Vice President of Medical Services in 2003 and later as Senior Vice President in 2011. Throughout his remarkable 48 seasons with the team, Barnes has not only provided essential treatment but has also offered counseling and forged lasting friendships with countless players, coaches, and staff members.

Widely recognized as one of the most esteemed athletic trainers in professional sports, Barnes's contributions were honored with induction into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in June 1999. Furthermore, his exceptional skills were acknowledged when he was named the Athletic Trainer of the Year by NFL physicians in 2002.

In appreciation of his alma mater, East Carolina University, Barnes initiated the establishment of the Ronnie Barnes African American Resource Center at the Joyner Library in 2002. This 5,200-square-foot hub is dedicated to gathering materials pertinent to the legacy and future of African Americans in eastern North Carolina and the Southeast. Its collection includes a wide array of resources such as books, software, journals, and works focusing on influential figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.

Notably, Barnes holds the distinction of being the first African American graduate of the Sports Medicine Program at ECU. His alma mater has recognized his achievements by electing him to the East Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame and bestowing upon him the Outstanding Alumni Award.

In 2004, Barnes received another accolade as he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Fike High School in North Carolina.

The year 2019 marked another milestone in Barnes's career when he was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a foundation dedicated to advancing diversity and minority hiring within the NFL—a cause close to Barnes's heart. His remarkable contributions were further acknowledged in 2020 when he received the Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine.

In 2022, Barnes's legacy was cemented with his induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally, in September of the same year, Barnes was enshrined into the New York Giants Ring of Honor, further solidifying his esteemed status within the organization.

Since taking on the role of the Giants' head athletic trainer, Barnes's excellence has been repeatedly recognized. He has twice been honored as the National Professional Trainer of the Year by the National Athletic Trainers Association. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to the field, serving on the NATA board of certification for a decade and assuming the presidency of the NATA Research and Education Foundation. Barnes's impact extends beyond the NFL, as he is also a member of the NFL Subcommittee on Mild Brain Trauma and completed a seven-year tenure as President of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society. Notably, Barnes and his team were recipients of the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award as the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year in 1999 and 2023.

Barnes's influence transcends borders as he has shared his expertise through national and international lectures on sports medicine. His contributions to the field are further underscored by his authorship of the widely acclaimed textbook, "Athletic Training and Sports Medicine, Third Edition." In 1994, Barnes was honored as the March of Dimes Man of the Year, recognizing his significant impact on society.

Beyond his duties with the Giants, Barnes remains actively engaged in various boards, including the Hospital for Special Surgery Board of Advisors, The NFL Player Care Foundation Board of Trustees, American Board of Family Medicine, Sports Medicine Advisory Board, and the Touro School of Medicine Health Advisory Board.

In summary, Ronnie Barnes's unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with his significant contributions to sports medicine, community engagement, and advocacy for diversity, make him a revered figure both within the Giants organization and the broader sports community.

Kenny Boyd, MS, ATC, LAT

Baylor University

Kenny Boyd began his role as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Services in May 2023. In this new role, he oversees the execution and expansion of Athletics Health and Wellness (Athletic Medicine, Athletics Performance, Performance Nutrition, Athletics Mental Health Services and Applied Performance) and the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (Academics and Character Formation). Prior to this position, Boyd served as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Health and Wellness which he started in July 2017. Additionally, during the past 5 years, Boyd has served as sport program administrator for men’s and women’s tennis and women’s basketball and serves on various committees and working groups with Baylor University.

Kenny Boyd currently serves on professional committees outside of Baylor University which include the current Chair for the Big 12 Conference Student-Athlete Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group and a member of the NATA’s Competition Task Force.

In the years prior to arriving in Waco, TX, Boyd served professionally at the University of North Carolina (‘14-‘17), the University of Texas at Austin (‘03-‘14), Colorado University (2000-‘03) and Northwestern University (’98-’99). Boyd earned degrees from the University of Florida at Gainesville (BS‘98) and Mississippi State University (MS,’00). From 2003-2017, he provided direct healthcare support as Head Athletic Trainer for Football as well as contributing to the direct support of Sports Medicine operations for both UNC-Chapel Hill and UT Austin.

An active presenter and member of the NATA, SWATA (D6) and other professional organizations, Boyd has served on several groups within the NATA including the Council on Revenue, C/UATC (D6, Chair), C/U Value Model and NATA Healthcare Reform Working Groups.

Min “Rosie” Cheng, MPM, LAT, ATC

Carnegie Mellon University

Following 11 years on the Carnegie Mellon sports performance team as an athletic trainer and coordinator of student-athlete wellness, Rosie Cheng was promoted to Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Wellness and Belonging in July 2023 and will serve as the NCAA Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee.

Besides overseeing women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s basketball and women's tennis, Cheng is the Coordinator of the SMART (Sports Medicine Assessment of Risk Tendencies) program, oversees the Plaidvocates and the AADPI student-athlete group, and handles the medical insurance billing. In May of 2016, Cheng was selected to participate in the Division III Institute for Administrative Advance and Step UP! Bystander Training. She will collaborate with the Office of Community Standards and Integrity to present the Step UP! Bystander Training to our student-athletes.

Cheng came to Carnegie Mellon after serving as an assistant athletic trainer from 2009-12 at the University of San Francisco.

While at San Francisco, she was responsible for overseeing the women’s basketball and men’s and women’s cross country programs. Prior to her three-year stint in California, she was the head athletic trainer at Keystone College in La Plume, Pa. from 2007-09. Cheng interned at Stanford University from 2006-07, where her primary sports were field hockey and women’s water polo. In 2005-2006, Cheng interned at Santa Clara University, overseeing the women’s volleyball team, men’s and women’s tennis teams and men’s and women’s golf teams.

In 2017, Cheng was invited to join the JED program initiative by CaPS for the University. JED helps with emotional health and suicide prevention by empowering our students with skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults. Cheng was also invited to be a member of the Eating Disorder Advisory Committee in collaboration with UHS. In the fall of 2017, Cheng will be trained in the Green Dot bystander intervention program.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training in 2003 from the University of Pittsburgh before completing her Master of Arts degree in kinesiology and athletic training at San Jose State University. In the spring of 2017, Cheng earned a master’s degree in public management from the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon.

Following her undergraduate class work, Cheng became the head athletic trainer at Leland High School in San Jose, California, from 2003-05. She also worked two years as a physical therapist aide before moving on to Keystone. While in Pennsylvania, Cheng served as an adjunct instructor during the fall semester of 2008 at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa.

Chad Clements, PhD, ATC

Boston University

I’m originally from Queensbury, NY and now live with my wife and 3 daughters in Grafton, MA. I am fortunate to work with an amazing group of people in Student Health and more specifically in Athletic Training Services who provide outstanding care to BU students.

I attended SUNY Cortland (BS), East Stroudsburg University (MS) and Seton Hall University (PhD). I previously worked as an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the programs in athletic training at A.T. Still University and prior to that I was the Faculty Director of Clinical Education in Boston University’s College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education for Boston University’s programs in athletic training. I also worked as an athletic trainer at Seton Hall University, head athletic trainer at both Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ and Lasell College in Newton, MA, and was a preceptor for students in the athletic training programs at Seton Hall University, Lasell College, and Boston University.

Education:  PhD, Seton Hall University.  MS, East Stroudsburg University.  BS, SUNY Cortland

Janet Lin Craft, MA, ATC

San Jose State University

Janet Lin Craft enters her first full year working as an Associate Athletic Trainer at San Jose State University (SJSU). Janet has prior experience working in military medicine, physical therapy, Division 3 athletics, and club teams.

Before SJSU, Janet served as Senior Woman Administrator and Assistant Director of Sports Medicine at LaGrange College (Georgia). Her six years at LaGrange College were highlighted by winning, “Staff of the Year” (2022) in the athletics department, Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association “Young Professional of the Year” (2019), and three conference titles with the LaGrange College baseball team.

A native of San Francisco, Janet earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology-athletic training with a minor in psychology from Fresno State University in 2011. She received a master's in kinesiology and health studies focusing on sports psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2014 and is pursuing a Doctorate in Athletic Training through Florida International University.

Janet has presented previously on the following topics: "Psychological First Aid in the Collegiate Setting", “Administrative Management of Staff, Post-Mental Health Crisis” and "Guillain Barre Syndrome: Rare but Serious".

She has served as the Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association- Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee Chair and the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association Career Advancement Committee Chair.

Janet is a proud dog mama to Sawyer and Malcolm.

Sarah Derrenbacher

Founder, Head Leadership & Performance Strategist

Evolveability

“There is a different way of achieving high performance — a way that doesn’t leave us feeling depleted and fatigued from the pressure to perform and instead can heighten our ability to go and grow beyond our limitations, bringing deeper meaning to our lives and skillful mastery of our craft.”

Inspired by the belief that the highest performance doesn’t come from a place of relentless struggle and strain, Sarah Derrenbacher founded Evolveability to guide leaders towards a more fulfilling way of achieving success within their team, organization, and society.

As an established Founder, trusted Leadership & Performance Strategist, and certified behavioral analyst, she is on a mission to re-structure the path to performance.

Since 2015, Evolveability has guided individuals and groups within sports and business to realize their potential and perform well beyond their expectations.

Over the past eight years, Derrenbacher has contributed to over 20 league championships, NCAA tournament runs, and individual record-breakers in sports while helping Fortune 500 companies to outperform and growing small to mid-sized businesses into industry leaders.

From guiding teams out of slumps to accelerating breakthrough moments, Derrenbacher’s proprietary E3 Method™ successfully transforms groups through individual performance coaching and dynamic team sessions.

The first half of her 18+ year career focused on client success and partnerships, where she witnessed the direct correlation between performance and the wellness of individuals, groups, and environments. And Derrenbacher has committed the second half of her career to transformation as she turns high-pressure environments into high-context cultures, fearful groups into motivated teams, and validation-seeking individuals into self assured leaders.

As an advisor for The Heartwork Institute, an organization that informed her own inner-work journey, a board member of the Rochester City Soccer League, and partner of like-minded organizations such as Rising Phoenix, Derrenbacher finds fulfillment in helping others. By embracing awareness and humanness on our own journeys, she believes we can find unconditional joy within ourselves, our teams, and our world.

Derrenbacher attended the State University of New York at Fredonia from 2000-2004 and graduated with a bachelor’s in Communications with a double major in Marketing and Psychology. She is also a certified DISC Behavioral Analyst.

Jason Doctor, ATC, ROT

Essity

During his 20-year career as a certified athletic trainer, Jason Doctor has worked in the secondary school, college and industrial settings. He earned his Bachelor of Science degrees in Athletic Training and Exercise and Sport Science from East Carolina University. Jason was a member of the Chesterfield County EMS training group for concussions and spine boarding. He was also a guest lecturer for EMS continuing education sessions on heat related illness treatment. Jason has been a member of the VATA for 20 years and currently holds office as the Eastern Region Representative. Seven years ago, Jason transitioned out of athletic training full-time and into medical sales.

He started his sales career with Performance Health as a Cramer Products rep before moving over to Medco. Jason is proud of the Cramer Mentorship program for new graduate AT’s going into the profession that he established and implemented. Now with ESSITY, Jason is the Orthopedic sales rep for Virginia. He is also a registered Orthopedic Technician providing cast training for orthopedic clinics and athletic trainers across his territory. Jason has been a presenter at the Virginia and Mid Atlantic athletic training meetings teaching casting and splinting courses.

Jason was born and raised in Port St Lucie, Florida. He currently resides in Richmond with his wife Kate (also an AT) and 3 children Madie, Graham, and Harris.

Gretchen Fox, MBA, MEd, AT, ATC, PES

Eastern Michigan University

Gretchen Fox (Buskirk) is in her fifth year as the Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine for the Eastern Michigan University athletic department.

In her role, Fox is responsible for the daily sports medicine operation for EMU’s varsity sports programs. She supervises eight assistant athletic trainers, numerous graduate and student athletic trainers, and also has primary responsibilities with the school’s volleyball team.

Fox spent the eight years at the University of Toledo, most recently serving as the Rockets' Assistant Director of Sports Medicine and Associate Head Athletic Trainer. In her role, she coordinated a patient-centered care approach for more than 100 male and female Division I athletes in four sports, that included general medical, nutrition, mental health, and orthopaedic conditions. Fox worked directly with women’s soccer and supervised the graduate assistant athletic trainers in the sports of baseball, softball, and women’s swimming & diving.

Fox joined the Toledo program in 2009 before being promoted to the Associate Head Athletic Trainer in 2013. She then added the Assistant Director of Sports Medicine title in 2018.

A native of Richmond, Va., she arrived in the Glass City following three years at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. During her time with the Paladins, she worked directly with the women’s soccer and women’s basketball programs. She spearheaded the preventative ACL strengthening program for female student-athletes with video analysis.

Fox joined the Paladins’ staff in July 2006 after she received her master’s degree in education from North Carolina State University, while working with the Wolfpack men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.

The 38-year old Fox earned her bachelor’s degree from Elon University in 2004, where she worked with the Phoenix’s baseball, men’s soccer, women’s track and field, and men’s basketball squads.

Fox is a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, College Athletic Trainer’s Society, the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Mid-American Conference Athletic Trainer’s Association, and Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Association, and has presented at multiple national sports medicine conferences.

Fox added a second master’s degree in business administration in 2016 from the University of Toledo.

Jeffrey A. Guy, MD

University of South Carolina

Jeffrey Guy, MD, received his medical degree and residency training at Harvard University. He completed fellowships in trauma at Massachusetts General Hospital and pediatric sports medicine at Boston Childrens Hospital, and finished his training with a fellowship in sports medicine under the direction of Drs. James Andrews and Bill Clancy at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Ala. Dr. Guy is currently a clinical professor within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and Director of the University of South Carolina Sports Medicine Center. In addition, he serves as medical director of the Athletic Training Education Program in the College of Education and adjunct professor within the USC Arnold School of Public Health Department of Exercise Science. As medical director and team physician of the University of South Carolina Athletics, Dr. Guy oversees all of the athletic teams at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Guy is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Sports Medicine Institute Fellowship Society, Clinical Orthopaedic Society, and the South Carolina Medical Association.

Kristi G. Hall, Psy.D.

University of Maryland

Dr. Kristi Hall, Psy.D. has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology as well as two master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology. Her concentration within her doctoral program was health/neuropsychology.

She is a licensed clinical psychologist (Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia). She is also certified by the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), to facilitate telehealth and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across jurisdictional boundaries. She has experience covering the developmental lifespan from assessing and treating young children with behavioral and learning concerns to working with adolescents and (young and older) adult clients/patients who have issues navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD, significant life stressors, and life transitions.

Dr. Hall also has experience working in diverse settings; with the forensic population within a maximum-security in-patient setting, whereby she served as an evaluator as well as a ward/staff psychologist; VA Psychologist as a Team Lead; Adjunct Graduate Professor of Forensic and Neuropsychology; and she has maintained a Private Practice for the past ten years.

Currently, Dr. Hall serves as the Director of Sport Psychology at the University of Maryland since September 2022. Along with her staff of licensed clinicians, she manages the mental health of roughly 600-700 student athletes. Additionally, the staff within the Department of Sport Psychology also support each team collectively and individually with mental performance. Dr. Hall is a member of the Athletic Commission of the State of Maryland. Lastly, Dr. Hall is completing requirements for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology.

Kim Harmon, MD

University of Washington

Kimberly G. Harmon is a professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and Section Head of the Sports Medicine Section at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She is a Past-President of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (2009-2010) and was on the AMSSM Foundation Board from 2011-2022 serving as President from 2019-2020.

Dr. Harmon has long been involved in the provision of health care in college athletics. She was a basketball athlete at the University of Notre Dame (1986-87) and also a student athletic trainer (1986-1989) before serving as head athletic trainer at Saint Mary’s College (1989-1991). She attended Indiana University School of Medicine, did her Family Medicine Residency at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., and her sports medicine fellowship at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Ind.

Dr. Harmon has been at the University of Washington since 1998 serving as team physician for multiple teams and the Head Football Physician since 2012. She was on the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport Committee from 2003-2007 and has continued to work with the NCAA on medical topics. She has also been involved with the Pac-12 Student Athlete Health and Well-Being Board Initiative as board representative from 2015-2020 and Chair from 2017-2019 during which time she guided the implementation of a conference-wide injury and illness surveillance system (the first of its kind) encompassing over 6,000 athletes from 12 universities which includes over 35 sports. Dr. Harmon became the Research Development Director for the Pac-12 in 2020 which (to date) has provided over 15 million dollars in funding for research projects selected to benefit the health and wellness of the student-athletes. She has served as a consultant to the Department of Defense, was the medical advisor to the National Basketball Players Association (2014-2019) and is currently on the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee. Her research interests focus on topics which are important to student-athlete including sudden cardiac death in athletes, concussion, sickle cell trait, and orthobiologics.

Andrew Holt, PharmD

Aegis Sciences

Dr. Andrew Holt is a sports pharmacist who received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the

University of Tennessee Health Science Center and is licensed to practice in multiple states. He

serves as a clinical pharmacist for Aegis Sciences Corporation in Nashville, TN. Prior to joining

Aegis, Dr. Holt worked for the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy as Executive Director and was

Director of Tennessee’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. He holds certifications in Drugs

in Sport from the International Olympic Committee, Medical Affairs, and Pharmacogenomics. Dr.

Holt is an assistant professor for the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational

Science at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, serves as a preceptor for six

colleges of pharmacy and is a co-Director of the post-doctoral Fellowship Program, a

collaboration with Belmont College of Pharmacy. One of his primary interests is the surveillance

and detection of novel psychoactive substances and their role in overdoses.

Brian Hortz, PhD, ATC

Structure and Function

Born in Camden, NJ, Brian received a B.A. in physical education with a concentration in sports medicine. Upon graduation from Denison University, he pursued a master’s degree in sports medicine from Ohio University. He continued his post-graduate studies at the Ohio State University, where he completed his doctoral degree in Exercise Science. Dr. Hortz was part of the athletic training staff at Denison University from 1995-2019; he served as the Head Athletic Trainer from 1997-2010 and the Director of Sports Medicine from 2010-2019. His primary responsibilities at Denison University included being a professor in the Department of Health, Exercise, and Sports Studies Major, as well as directing the sports medicine program. Dr. Hortz has presented at state, national, and international level conferences in different areas focusing on dry needling, athletic training, medical ethics, regulatory issues, health, and physical activity. He served on the Ohio State PTOTAT licensure board for 9 years and has served in many roles, from Joint Board Chair to Chair of the AT section, and other board assignments. Dr. Hortz was inducted into the Ohio Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame in 2018 and received the NATA Service Award in 2015, The Board of Certification Dan Liberia Award in 2009, the Paul Grace Award in 2023, and the Ohio Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2008. Included among his professional affiliations are memberships in the National Athletic Trainers Association, the Great Lakes Athletic Association, and the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association.

Brian Jones, MS, ATC

University of Toledo

Brian Jones begins his 25th year at the University of Toledo and first as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Health and Wellness.

Previously holding the title of Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, Jones also serves as the Athletics Healthcare Administrator, providing administrative oversight for all areas related to the health and wellness of Rocket student-athletes and the management of all athletic training facilities. He is also the liaison to the Health Science Campus and Main Campus Student Services to coordinate care for all student-athletes, serving as infection control officer for the program.

Jones supervises the health care needs of all student-athletes and works directly with the men’s basketball program. In addition to his athletic training duties, Jones also serves as the men’s basketball program’s travel coordinator.

Jones continues to serve on the NCAA Division I Concussion Safety Protocol Committee. The committee is serving as an advocate for promoting and developing concussion safety management plans. They will review all submitted concussion safety protocols and the written certificate of compliance signed by the directors of athletics.

Prior to joining the Toledo athletic training staff in 1997, Jones spent two years at Michigan State where he worked with former Toledo football coach Nick Saban. During his time with the Spartans, he worked with the football program as well as several Olympic sports.

A native of La Porte, Ind., Jones received a bachelor of science degree in athletic training from Ball State in 1995. Jones also earned a master of science degree in athletic training from Michigan State in 1997.

Jones was honored for his work in 2022 by being named the National Athletic Trainers' Association's NCAA Division I Head Athletic Trainer of the Year. He also has received the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association’s 2011-12 Athletic Trainer of the Year and inducted into Ball State’s Cardinal Sports Medicine Society Ring of Honor in 2011.

Jones and his wife Kim reside in Monclova Township and have two children, Zachary (19) and Avery (15). Zachary is a sophomore at the University of Toledo.

Katie Knappenberger MS, RD, CSSD, ATC

Northwestern University

Katie Knappenberger is the Director of Performance Nutrition for Northwestern University Athletics. She joined the Wildcats in June of 2014. Her mission is to empower athletes to use food to fuel athletic and academic success and build a foundation for lifetime of health. Before joining the Wildcats, Knappenberger was an assistant professor and athletic trainer at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla. She earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and her master's degree in nutrition with emphasis in sports dietetics from the University of Utah.

Knappenberger is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Athletic Trainer who has presented regionally and nationally for the following organizations : Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA), the Sports Cardiovascular and Wellness Dietetic Practice Group (SCAN), National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association (GLATA), Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), Big Ten Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, and Drug Free Sport. She currently represents the Big Ten Conference on CPSDA’s Power 5 Committee and was elected by her peers to join CPSDA’s Board of Directors.

Knappenberger resides in Evanston, IL with her husband and daughter.

Jessica Kinder, MS, ATC

Kinder is current the Head Athletic Trainer at Ball State University providing care for their Men's Basketball program.

Kinder graduated with a Master of Science in advanced athletic training from North Dakota State in 2018 and served for three seasons as the athletic trainer for Bradley University's women's basketball team prior to arriving at Rutgers. At Bradley, Kinder supervised student workers, and implemented ankle injury prevention and sleep health programs for her student-athletes.

Additional athletic training experience for Kinder include a graduate assistant post at Minnesota State working with football and swimming and diving, a PRN athletic trainer job at Sanford Health working with hockey, football, lacrosse, and soccer, and providing athletic training services to a number of summer camps in Minnesota.

Kinder is a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer, a Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner, a Certified Graston M1, and a Red Cross Professional Rescuer in CPR and AED. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in athletic training from Illinois State University in 2016.

Emily Kosderka, PhD, ATC

Linfield University

Prior to joining the faculty at Linfield, Emily was the associate director of sports medicine for Portland State University since 2020. She started at PSU after a 19-year stint at Concordia University before its closing in 2020. For the first 12 years at CU, she served as the head athletic trainer then moved to full-time faculty in the exercise and sport science department where she taught a variety of courses and also served as the internship coordinator.

Emily's research is in the use of exercise as a therapeutic intervention following sport-related concussion and she hopes her work will further our understanding of how exercise can be used safely to improve recovery. She is on the advisory board for the Collegiate Athletic Trainers’ Association and has been an invited speaker to conferences around the country.

Education:  B.S., exercise science, Willamette University.  M.S., kinesiology, Indiana University.  Ph.D., Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

Steven Laspo, MS, ATC, CSCS

Texas Tech University

Steve Lapso is currently an athletic trainer at Texas Tech University since the summer of 2021.  At TTU, Steve assists in the care of the Red Raider football team as well as serving as a preceptor for the MAT program at the Texas Tech Health Science Center. Prior to Texas Tech, Steve served in a similar role at Youngstown State University from 2018-2021. There he oversaw numerous graduate assistants along with providing care for the university’s football program. Before his appointment at YSU, Steve served two year-long internships with Western Kentucky and Central Michigan University. 

Steve completed his undergraduate degree in athletic training from the University of Toledo in 2014. He then went on to receive a master’s degree in exercise physiology with a concentration in athletic training while serving as a Graduate Assistant at Kent State University from 2014-2016.

Jerry Lin, MS, ATC, CES

Ohio University

Jerry Lin joined the Ohio University Sports Medicine staff in September of 2022 as Staff Athletic Trainer, working with both Bobcats’ football and swimming and diving programs. Additionally, he serves as a clinical preceptor for OHIO’s professional MSAT program.

Jerry arrived in Athens after a brief stint as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Taichung Suns, a professional basketball team in Taichung City, Taiwan, where he oversaw the care for local and international players, while managing various administrative duties such as purchasing supplies, and implementing EMR systems.

Prior to his time in Taichung, Jerry spent one year as an Athletic Training Fellow at the University of California, working primarily with the Golden Bears’ football team for the 2020-21 season. While in Berkeley, he also provided athletic training coverages for several other sports and assisted in the department’s effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

From 2018 to 2020, Jerry served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Miami, where he worked with men’s and women’s cross country, men’s tennis, and women’s rowing teams. During his time at Miami, he also assisted with coverages to pre-season training camps and practices for the Hurricanes’ football team. He received his Master of Science degree in Sport Administration from the University of Miami in 2020.

A native of Taipei, Taiwan, Jerry graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2018 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. As a student at South Carolina, he gained clinical experience working with Gamecocks’ football, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, and swimming and diving teams. Additionally, he served as an Athletic Training Student Intern working with University of Maryland’s women’s basketball program in the summer of 2017 before the team competed in the Summer World University Games.

In addition to his BOC credential, he is licensed to practice athletic training in the State of Ohio. He is also a certified Corrective Exercise Specialist and holds additional training in myofascial decompression and dry needling. Outside of work, Jerry enjoys playing tennis and pickleball.

Spencer Mack, MS, ATC

Snow College

Spencer Mack currently resides in the rural town of Ephraim, Utah, where he is the Head Athletic Trainer and Department Chair of the Exercise Science program at Snow College. He started his interest in athletic training when he attended Snow College as a student in 1996. After graduating from Snow College in 2000, he received his Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training with a minor in health promotion from Weber State University in 2003.Spencer received his Masters Degree in Sports Medicine from Brigham Young University in 2005. Spencer worked at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas and Utah Valley University as an assistant athletic trainer before returning to Snow College in 2014 first as an assistant and then taking over the head athletic trainer position there in 2020. Spencer has also worked part-time with USA Beach Volleyball since 2013 as a medical provider, traveling the globe and working with America's elite beach volleyball athletes. Spencer enjoys expanding his education to improve his care of athletes and has been certified in Graston Technique, Mental Health First Aid, and as a Corrective Exercise Specialist. He is also learning the art of ultrasound imaging, expanding the care given to his athletes.

Spencer enjoys spending his free time working as a Special Deputy Sheriff with the local Search and Rescue organization, where he is FEMA ICS and Dive Certified. He is married to Jeanine Mack and they have 7 children and 2 grandchildren. As a family they enjoy being outside, camping and traveling and have many good, long road trip memories together.

Robert Mangine, PT, ATC

University of Cincinnati

Bob Mangine returned to Cincinnati in 2002 and currently serves as the Senior Associate Athletics Director and Physical Therapy Residence Director.

His current role includes serving as the head trainer for men's basketball, which he began in 2017, and men's golf.

Bob Mangine's extensive experience in the field of athletic training makes him well-suited to recognize and treat injuries as well as advise on their prevention. He supervises a program that addresses the health and well-being of the Bearcats on a year-round basis by drawing from over four decades of experience in sports medicine.

Mangine, who assumed football duties in 2005, began as Director of Rehabilitative Services at the University of Cincinnati in 2002. He has worked with both amateur and professional athletes since 1976, when he first arrived at UC. In 1982, he assisted in the development of the nationally-recognized Cincinnati Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center. After serving approximately 10 years with the organization, he started his own practice which merged with NovaCare Rehabilitation in 1998.

While he was a student at the University of Pittsburgh, Mangine launched his career in athletics training. He served as assistant athletics trainer of the Pittsburgh Condor Basketball Club and as head athletics trainer at the Community College of Allegheny County prior to graduation in 1977.

Mangine served as director of rehabilitation at UC from 1977-80 while earning his master's degree. After two years as an assistant professor of physical therapy at the Medical College of Virginia, he returned to Cincinnati to work in private clinics.

Mangine currently serves as National Director of Sports Physical Therapy Clinical Residency for NovaCare and is President of MBM Consultants, which provides educational management services for physical therapy and occupational therapy professionals.

A 25-year award recipient of the National Athletic Trainers Association, he was the head athletic trainer for the aquatic teams at the 1996 Olympics, and the Goodwill Games of 1986, 1990 and 1998. He is a charter member of the Sports Physical Therapy Section Hall of Fame and the Covington Catholic (Ky.) High School Athletics Hall of Fame.

Marsha Eifert-Mangine, EdD, PT, ATC, CERT 

Mount St. Joseph University

Dr. Eifert‐Mangine is an associate professor within the MSJ DPT program and has served as a faculty member in the program for over 25 years. Dr. Mangine completed her undergraduate degrees at Tomas More College, her BSPT degree at Washington University, and her master’s and doctorate degrees in education at the University of Cincinnati. Her current teaching responsibilities include research and evidence based practice, therapeutic modalities, and surface anatomy. Dr. Eifert‐Mangine is a certified athletic trainer through the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), and has served as athletic trainer for the U.S. National Diving Team, World Saddleseat Equitation Invitational Team and nine state championship football teams at Beechwood High School in Kentucky. She currently practices clinically for NovaCare Rehabilitation’s University of Cincinnati Athletics office treating foot and ankle pathologies in Division I athletes. She is an active member of the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AASPT) and the College Athletic Trainers Society (CATS) and frequently presents continuing professional development courses on the management of sport related injuries and rehabilitation at local and national conferences. Dr. Eifert‐Mangine also holds a certification as a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Therapist (CERT). She currently serves as the Kentucky liaison to the Animal Special Interest Group of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AAOPT) and is expanding her clinical and research interests into the area of equine therapy.

Heather Ontiveros DHSc, ATC, PA-C

UC Riverside Campus Health Center

Mount San Jacinto Community College Student Health

Heather Ontiveros has been a practicing physician assistant in Southern California, specifically in the Riverside and Temecula Valley areas, for 16 years, specializing in sports medicine, campus health, emergency medicine, and urgent care. She obtained her Physician Assistant certificate and education from the University of California, Davis, where she also completed her undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology. In 2018, Heather completed a Doctorate of Health Science from A.T. Still University. She currently serves as an Associate Professor and Chair/Program Director for California Baptist University Physician Assistant Program. Prior to becoming a PA, Heather obtained her Master’s in Biomechanics from San Diego State University and served as a collegiate Athletic Trainer (ATC) at the University of California, San Diego. She continues to stay active in the sports medicine community by volunteering at various sporting events or sports physicals and frequently guest lecturing in CBU’s Master’s Athletic Training Program.

Diana Padilla, MS, ATC

Arizona State University

A native of Bernalillo, NM, Diana has been a certified athletic trainer for 20 years, working primarily in the collegiate sports setting her entire career. Currently, entering in her 16th year at Arizona State University, she has served as the Associate Head Athletic Trainer providing having provided clinical care for the Women’s Basketball, Women’s Golf, and women’s soccer teams while providing oversight of several other programs. Currently, in an administrative oversight role, Diana is continuing to help elevate the ASU program. Prior to arriving to Tempe, I have previous experience working at Oregon State University, the University of New Mexico, as well as being a member of the X Games sports medicine staff at both stateside and international competitions.

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in from University of New Mexico, and master’s degree in Sports Medicine with a post graduate certification in Health Care Administration from Oregon State University, she is certified by the NATABOC and a licensed athletic trainer in the state of Arizona. As a credentialed practitioner in NASM- PES, NASM-CES, ASTYM, Graston Technique M1, Owens Recovery Science Personalized Blood Flow Rehabilitation, myofascial decompression, Dry Needling, Applied Functional Science certifications, as well as being a SafeTalk Suicide Prevention trainer and American Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid Instructor.

A professional member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers’ Society, Arizona Athletic Trainers’ Association, and College Athletic Trainers’ Society, she has served as a representative on several district and national committees, and presented at several local and national events. A representative for the District 7 and District 10 NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee (EDAC), Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM), NATA REF Scholarship Committee, and a PAC12 grant reviewer, Diana thoroughly enjoys professional engagement in the Athletic Training Profession.

In her free time, she enjoys running, and being and active student and instructor in the martial art of Tang Soo Do at The Center for Humane Living, a local non-profit organization where I hold the rank of Second Degree Black Belt.

Anthony Pass, MEd, ATC

University of Colorado

Anthony Pass was named the Head Football Athletic Trainer for the University of Colorado on July 24, 2023. He will manage the UCHEALTH Champions Center Athletic Training room, and supervise one associate athletic trainer and three assistant athletic trainers. A 1999 graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder, we welcome him back to campus to care for our student-athletes. He is excited to return to the university that started his career in athletic training.

Most recently Pass was the Associate Athletic Director for Integrated Health and Sports Performance for James Madison University, a position that oversees all areas of student-athlete health and well-being, on Dec. 5, 2022. James Madison has a student-athlete centered approach that focuses on collaboration and holistic care. For James Madison, that integrated team included sports medicine, strength & conditioning, sports nutrition, sports psychology and mental health, in collaboration with coaching staffs and academic services.

Prior to James Madison University, Pass served as Director of Athletic Training and Sports Nutrition at Stanford since 2019. With the Cardinal, he engineered a centralized care system for student-athletes involving all stakeholders. Pass led a health unit responsible for 36 sport programs and 950 student-athletes, overseeing a unit of nearly 60 staff members. He increased staff retention, increased student-athlete care satisfaction rates, completed the transition to an electronic medical records system and navigated all things related to athletics activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. He attained recognition from supervisors and peers for his emphasis on unit growth, ingenuity, engagement, collaboration and partnering with various campus groups.

Prior to Stanford, Pass served as the head football athletic trainer at Texas beginning in 2014 and was promoted to Assistant AD for Sports Medicine in 2016. He served as head football athletic trainer at Texas Tech in 2013-14. That followed eight years at Florida, filling the role of head football athletic trainer in 2005-06 and Associate Director of Sports Health from 2006 to 2013. He began his career in college athletics as head football athletic trainer at Indiana State from 2003 to 2005, following other stints as an intern with the Buffalo Bills and assistant trainer and strength coach with the Houston Texans.

Certifications for Pass include: certified athletic trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, performance enhancement specialist, corrective exercise specialist, dry needle certification, approved preceptor and certified health care provider for CPR and AED.

He has filled multiple roles on health care advisory committees or provided additional professional services on the conference and national level, including in the PAC-12, Big XII, the National Scouting Combine, and USA Baseball. He also served as a sports medicine representative on the NCAA Football Rules Committee.

Pass is a 1999 graduate of Colorado with a degree in kinesiology. He earned his master’s degree in sport administration from Houston in 2001. He and his wife, Gena, have two sons, Anthony Jr. (AJ) and Noah.

Brad Pierson, MS, ATC

University of Toledo

Brad Pierson is in his ninth season as a member of The University of Toledo Sports Medicine staff, and begins his second as the assistant athletic director for sports medicine after serving the previous three as the assistant director of sports medicine and associate head athletic trainer. Pierson works directly with the women’s basketball program, and also oversees several assistant athletic trainers as well as graduate assistant athletic trainers working in the Savage Athletic Training facility. His additional duties include acting as the liaison with the UToledo Pharmacy for all issues related to student-athlete care and continuing to direct the mental health services for student-athletes. He is also responsible for inventory and budget control for medical supplies, as well as for the administration and oversight of the Savage Athletic Training Facility.

“Brad is an exceptional athletic trainer,” three-time Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year Tricia Cullop said. “He is knowledgeable, hard working and possesses outstanding people skills. I always know that our players are in great hands when they suffer an injury, are rehabilitating or are doing preventative measures. We are fortunate to have Brad overseeing the health care of our student-athletes.”

In 2020, Pierson was named the Division I Assistant Head Athletic Trainer of the Year by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM).

Pierson came to Toledo after spending two years at MAC member Eastern Michigan University, where he was the primary athletic trainer for the men’s basketball, crew and women’s volleyball teams.

Pierson earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training in 2009 from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, W. Va., before going to EMU to earn a master’s degree in exercise physiology in 2011 and working on the sports medicine staff as a graduate assistant.

In 2011, Pierson accepted a position at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology as an assistant athletic trainer and professor in the physical education department.

A native of Charleston, W. Va., Pierson is a certified athletic trainer in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Pierson and his wife Bridget have a son, Owen (3).

Carrie Rubertino Shearer, ATC, PT

Baylor University

Carrie Rubertino Shearer joined the Baylor Athletic Medicine staff in March 2018 to serve as the Director of Rehabilitation Services. In June of 2019 she was promoted to Assistant AD for Athletic Medicine while also continuing oversite of physical therapy for the Baylor Student-Athletes. In June of 2021, Rubertino Shearer was promoted to Associate AD for Athletic Medicine. In this role she is responsible for oversseing the medical care for all of Baylor's student-athletes.

In addition, Rubertino Shearer serves as the secondary sport program administrator for track & field and cross country. She previously served as the secondary sport program administrator for Baylor's nationally ranked volleyball program.

Prior to moving to Baylor, Rubertino Shearer provided athletic training and physical therapy services to student-athletes and campus students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2009-17. Throughout her time at UNC, she served as the head athletic trainer for Men's and Women's Track and Field, Women’s Tennis and spent one season with Women’s Basketball. She was a part of three Women’s Indoor Tennis National Championship victories and a runner-up at the outdoor NCAA Championships.

Before joining the Tarheels, Carrie spent four years at UCLA as an Associate Head Athletic Trainer, serving three years as the head men’s basketball athletic trainer (earning two trips to Final Four) in addition to caring for the Women's Waterpolo National Championship team, the Women's Tennis National Championship team, Women's Volleyball and Softball team. Additionally, she oversaw the rehabilitation of post-operative student-athletes and served on the athlete care committee.

Rubertino Shearer spent four seasons (2001-05) as an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist at Santa Clara University. While at SCU, she served as the head athletic trainer for the women’s soccer team that won the 2001 NCAA Championship. She also served as the head athletic trainer for the women’s basketball and men’s and women’s tennis programs.

During the 2000-01 campaign, Rubertino Shearer was an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist at Stanford University, overseeing the rehabilitations of post-operative injuries and working with the men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track programs.

Rubertino Shearer earned her master’s degree in education at Auburn University in 2000. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at The Ohio State University in 1998 while a student in the internship program for athletic training. She first became involved in sports medicine while attending Brecksville Broadview Hts High School just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to her degrees, she is certified in Integrative Dry Needling, Graston technique, Blood Flow Restriction therapy, and is a Corrective Exercise Specialist.

Carrie and her husband, John, have three daughters, Reagan, McKinley and Carter Ann.

Brian Vesci, PhD, ATC

Northwestern University

Brian Vesci was elevated to associate athletic director for health, safety and performance, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Mike Polisky on May 11, 2021.

Vesci oversees a dynamic team of athletic trainers and physical therapists and support the Director of Sports Medicine and Head Team Physician in the direction of sports performance nutritionists and dietitians. He directs and provides guidance towards a cohesive effort to maintain and upgrade the overall health, well-being, and safety of Northwestern’s more than 500 student-athletes across 19 sports, working alongside an interdisciplinary health care team in the Wildcats’ Sports Medicine department.

Vesci came to Evanston in 2016 as athletic trainer/concussion specialist and helped NU’s Sports Medicine raise awareness on concussion and head injuries. His primary responsibility was to oversee NU’s Health Service and Athletics concussion management, providing clinical care to patients with prolonged symptoms following concussion. During his time at Northwestern, Vesci has shared a wealth of experience from his clinical specialties such as vestibular and ocular rehabilitation, short- and long- term concussion management and functional movement assessment. He has authored and published clinical research papers on various topics in athletic training, including the effectiveness of physical activity on intermittent post-concussion symptoms, and spinal manipulation in clinical practice.

Vesci obtained a doctorate of Athletic Training at A.T. Still University in 2017. He completed an undergraduate degree in 2004 at Duquesne University, and earned a master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006.

Vesci is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers, and actively serves in various committees, including the NATA Foundation Educational Resources Committee, co-chair of the NATA Workgroup on Transition to Practice, chair of the NATA Professional Education Committee, and recently was named the incoming chair of the NATA Executive Council for Education.

Education:  Duquesne University, The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, AT Still University