ROCK HILL, S.C. – The South Atlantic Conference Athletic Trainers Committee has selected the Carson-Newman athletic training staff as the 2020-21 Athletic Training Staff of the Year, the League announced Wednesday.
"Our sports medicine staff ensures that our student-athletes receive world-class health care services to achieve their competitive goals," Carson-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope said. "While that in and of itself would be enough for them to be deserving of this honor, what they managed to pull off during the middle of a global pandemic is nothing short of astonishing and deserving of the highest praise. We are proud of the leadership that this staff has shown under the direction of Mike Van Bruggen during this global pandemic while preparing for future seasons to come. It is an honor that our SAC peers would vote for our sports medicine staff as the 2021 SAC Sports Medicine Staff of the Year. We are fortunate to have these very talented and selfless health care providers within our halls."
Led by Director of Sports Medicine Mike Van Bruggen, the Eagle athletic training staff features nine certified athletic trainers: Becky Cate, Brwyan Campbell, Nick Bianco, Kelly Brock, Nathan Sommers, Dan Harrison, Lacie Geisel, Erin Grimsley, Kelsey Roy and Maria Mueller. They provide medical coverage for Carson-Newman's 21 intercollegiate athletic teams. In addition to covering the Carson-Newman athletic teams, the athletic training staff served as the host trainers for the 2021 SAC Baseball Championship and the NCAA Women's Basketball Southeast Regional.
The award is voted on by the South Atlantic Conference Athletic Trainers Committee.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CARSON-NEWMAN ATHLETIC TRAINING STAFF
Patrick Britz, South Atlantic Conference Commissioner
"Congratulations to Mike Van Bruggen and the entire Carson-Newman athletic training staff," said South Atlantic Conference Commissioner Patrick Britz. "The Carson-Newman staff has shown outstanding dedication and passion, as have all of the athletic trainers in the conference, for our student-athletes and their well-being especially during the uncertainty of the past year. We are extremely thankful for the hard work and effort they all put forward every day to ensure the health and safety of the student-athletes."
Michael Flicker, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Senior Associate AD/Head Athletic Trainer, Chair of SAC Athletic Trainers Committee
"Congratulations to Carson-Newman Athletic Training Staff on this deserved award. They continue to serve visiting staffs as professional and courteous hosts. They have a staff and program to emulate with their student-athlete medical care. Additionally, Mike Van Bruggen was a tremendous resource and leader in dealing with COVID this past year."
Dana Sibrel, UVA Wise, Head Athletic Trainer
"You can see the dedication that each athletic training staff member not only has for the student athletes that they work with, but all the student-athletes at Carson-Newman. Through all the uncertainty of COVID, I knew I could reach out to Mike to bounce ideas off of. The athletic training staff at Carson-Newman exemplifies what athletic trainers are."
Chris Lenker, Tusculum University, Head Athletic Trainer
"Mike has always been unwavering in his support of athletic trainers. During the uncertainty of COVID, he was a welcome resource for all of us. I guarantee that the Tusculum student-athletes were better taken care of because of Mike and the Carson-Newman staff."
