head athletic trainer Matt Bussman has announced the hiring of two full-time athletic trainers as well as a graduate assistant to solidify the athletic training support staff, which now consists of five certified athletic trainers for the upcoming academic year.
Caroline Durocher has been hired as an assistant athletic trainer after spending five years with the athletic program at in Durocher, a native of Washington and a graduate of Bellevue Christian High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in athletic training from Whitworth College in 2003 and a Master of Arts degree in teaching with a physical education emphasis from Hastings College in 2005.
Thomas Garcia has come on board in the newly created position of assistant athletic trainer/performance specialist, one that will allow him to contribute to the overall performance of each athlete as well as aiding in the care and treatment within the training room. Garcia has worked with the Seattle Seahawks, NFL Europe, and the San Francisco Giants as well as within the athletic departments of the and Texas Tech. Garcia graduated from Texas Tech with both a Bachelor of Science degree in sports science and a Master of Science degree in athletic training.
Amanda Pruden joins the athletic training staff as a first-year graduate assistant after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training with a minor in human performance from in A native of , Pruden was a member of the swim team, where she held 12 top times and was named Comeback Athlete of the Year in 2006 after returning to competition from an injury. Pruden will be enrolled in the Master of Sports Administration and Leadership program at .
Kyle Stanley will stay on as a part-time athletic trainer at . Now in his eighth year associated with the school, works full-time at Virginia Mason in their physical medicine and rehabilitation department where he specializes in work injury rehabilitation. In the past, has worked with the volleyball team along with filling in where needed among the other sports.
“I am very excited to begin the year with such a well qualified athletic training room staff,” Bussman said. “I am certain that the athletes, coaches, and administrators will view this department as a valuable resource that can directly contribute to the goals, performance, and overall success of each of the varsity programs.”
The increase in athletic training room staff is part of the plan to make the athletic department ready for the move to Division I, as the school is presently in Year One of the reclassification process.