Athletic Training

Through the years, Montclair State Athletics has proven to be a dominant force in the NCAA Division III.  It has also been a leader in Physical Education teacher preparation for many years.   As these two premier programs grew, the need for a strong Athletic Training/Sports Medicine presence developed as a strong compliment to the both entities.  With the development of sports medicine as a sub-specialty in the health care field, it seems logical that specialists who are oriented toward physical education and athletics would also be in demand.  Athletic training is one aspect of sports medicine that has developed as an important allied health care profession which deals primarily with the prevention and care of the athletic injuries. Many advances have been made within the profession since the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) was organized in 1950. 

Along the way there have been athletic trainers on the Montclair sidelines to maintain the safety and promote the good health of MSC student-athletes.  Montclair’s athletic training history dates back to 1946 when Dr. Alden C. Coder was hired at MSC as an athletic trainer, among many other titles. In 1973, after 32 years, Coder retired and Sandy Biber served 8 years as Head Athletic Trainer.  Biber was followed by Ron Linfont, Barbara Cook, and then Nina Geier.   In 1984 John Davis arrived and has been a fixture at Montclair since.  Alongside Davis are Cindy Dormann and Joe Savoia, both full-time assistant athletic trainers and part-time athletic trainers Jamie Scala and Becky Dipillo.

Since the tenure of Sandy Biber and mostly under John Davis, many Montclair students have expressed an interest in athletic training as a career option, secondary to teacher education.  These “Internship” students spent countless hours providing athletic training health care to “Indian/Red Hawk” athletes as they gained hands on learning experiences.  Over 45 MSU students gained certification as athletic trainers through this “Internship” route and these alumni have helped promote Montclair State as a quality athletic training education program. 

Through the years the specific professional and educational standards for certification as an athletic trainer were developed.   These certification requirements help ensure the quality of athletic trainers who are active in the profession.  Legislation has also been passed in most states (NJ among the first) in an attempt to control the quality of athletic trainers on a more regional level.   In 2000, in it’s strive to continue providing new educational opportunities for its students, Montclair State created the first B.S. degree program in Athletic Training Education in NJ.  Dr. David Middlemas was hired as the Program Director to facilitate this transition.  Dr. Marsha Grant-Ford and Dr. Fred Gardin have also joined the ATEP faculty to provide students with a well rounded educational experience.    

Fortunately the sports medicine team also includes a group of physicians and physical therapists, who take great interest in the education of the student athletic trainers, and the health of MSU athletes.  Students are afforded the opportunity to interact with these professionals in the athletic training facility, on the field, in the office and even in the operating room.  The doctors and PTs take pride in the knowledge that they have helped mold quality athletic training professionals.  Montclair’s superb team physicians are Douglas Borkowski, MD; Vincent McInerney, MD; Robert Palacios, MD; and Anthony Festa, MD.   Consulting physicians include Richard Braver, DPM; Evan Fischer, MD; Tom Cusamano, DPM; and Louis Rizio, MD; Gina Giancola, DC; and Joseph Mason, DMD.  Ben Burton, DPT, AT has been as associated as physical therapist and adjunct instructor since 1994 and is an alumnus of the Montclair State athletic training program.  Chris Jones, DPT, AT, has also been a consulting physical therapist and adjunct instructor since 1997.

Nationally, many athletic trainers are employed in educational setting at high schools, colleges, or universities, while others work for amateur or professional teams, and today, more and more athletic trainers are becoming employed in clinical and industrial settings.  Many high school administrators and athletic directors have recognized the fact that if they do not have an athletic trainer on staff, there may not be anyone present during after-school activities and athletic events that has specific training and expertise to deal with athletic injuries. These administrators have, therefore, identified the need for an athletic trainer whose duties will include attending to the health care needs of the athletes. This is an important step toward ensuring the safety of our young athletes.

It is evident that athletic training, as a profession, has developed into an exciting and challenging health care field.  With the aid of the media, publications, and knowledgeable career counselors, athletic training will gain even more exposure; and, our young women and men will find such careers in this field that integrates athletics, medicine, and health care in an interesting way.

It is obvious that the Athletic Training Services Department and the Athletic Training Education Program have always blended the strengths of these 2 independent, but interrelated departments.  We aim to continue building on the educational momentum and success of our past while embracing the challenges of the future of the athletic training profession. 

Written by: Nina Geier, MSC Head Athletic Trainer, 1980-1984
Edited by: John Davis, MSU Head Athletic Trainer, 1984-present