SAC News Service

ROCK HILL, S.C.  — The South Atlantic Conference Athletic Trainers Committee has selected the Catawba College athletic training staff as the 2019-20 Athletic Training Staff of the Year.

“Congratulations to Brandon Auton and the entire Catawba athletic training staff,” said South Atlantic Conference Commissioner Patrick Britz in a news release Tuesday. “The Catawba 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. 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.”

Led by Head Athletic Trainer Brandon Auton, the Catawba Indian athletic training staff features seven athletic trainers: Lupana Morales, Brianne Morith, Craig Ricciardi, Megan Getz, Jesse Hodas, Daniel Myers and Nicholas Peters. They provide medical coverage for Catawba’s 23 intercollegiate athletic teams, while also covering the Catawba Indians’ two JV programs. In addition to covering the Catawba athletic teams, the athletic training staff served as the host trainers for the 2020 SAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.

The award is voted on by the South Atlantic Conference Athletic Trainers Committee.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CATAWBA ATHLETIC TRAINING STAFF

Larry Leckonby, Catawba College, Athletic Director: “This is an outstanding honor for a whole group of people that work as hard as anyone else at Catawba and care about every one of their 500+ student-athletes in 23 different programs. Congratulations to Brandon and his entire Athletic Training Staff.”

Michael Flicker, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Senior Associate AD/Head Athletic Trainer, Chair of SAC Athletic Trainers Committee: “Congratulations to Brandon and his staff at Catawba. Brandon had big shoes to fill when he took over for Bob Casmus and he has done a tremendous job with the care for the student-athletes at Catawba. Their staff consistently performs at a high level of care and are appropriately recognized with this award.”

John Lopez, Newberry College, Assistant AD for Sports Medicine: “This is a great testament to Brandon and his staff. After the changes in the athletic training staff the last two years, he has brought them all together to continue to provide excellent athletic health care to the Catawba student-athletes. He is also the gracious host when you visit their campus and need any services. He has been standing in the trenches a long time and now has put his athletic trainers out front for all to notice. Congratulations and great job!”

Tim Singleton, Wingate University, Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine: “Brandon and his staff at Catawba are deserving of this award. They represent not only our conference well, but they carry the standard for Sports Medicine at a high level. I am excited to see the Catawba staff win this award.”

Chris Jeppson, Coker University, Head Athletic Trainer: “The Catawba staff did a great job hosting the SAC Indoor Track & Field Championship this year. They were organized, well supported by various organizations, and managed things well. I congratulate them on winning this award and wish them luck in the next year.”