Springfield College Athletic Training Legacy of Excellence Continues at EATA
The Springfield College Athletic Training (AT) program’s legacy of excellence was on full display at the 2025 Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA) annual convention. Joe DeSimone, Class of 2025, was crowned the District One student Quiz Bowl champion.
By: Damon Markiewicz
With National Athletic Training Month on the horizon during the month of March, now is the perfect time to recognize the Springfield College Athletic Training (AT) program’s legacy of excellence, which was on full display at the 2025 Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA) annual convention. Current faculty, students, and alumni showcased the AT program’s long-standing tradition in preparing athletic trainers for successful careers, dating back to 1925.
“Once again, Springfield College Athletic Training was well represented at EATA on many levels,” said Athletic Training Program Director Jessica Barrett ’05. “In total, we had representation from our dean, 12 current students, one resident athletic trainer, and five faculty members, all playing important roles in the success of the weekend. There are always countless alumni who connect with our current students and faculty, which continues to make the AT program special.”
As part of this year’s EATA conference, the athletic training profession remembered Joseph Altott ’53, the first certified athletic trainer to graduate from Springfield College. He recently passed away as the longest serving member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the EATA, serving as NATA director from 1969 to 1971. A member of the NATA Hall of Fame, Altott had a long-standing impact on the AT profession through his career in professional sports, higher education, and at the Olympic level. In 1972, Altott earned his dream job of serving as the head athletic trainer for the National Hockey League’s Hartford Whalers from 1972 to 1983. Prior to his time with the Whalers, he assisted on the international stage working as the athletic trainer for the 1968 Winter Olympic Ski Team in Grenoble, France.
As a result of his long-lasting impact at both the EATA and NATA levels, the annual EATA Quiz Bowl is named in Altott’s honor. The Jeopardy-style competition for AT students from education programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), is one of the highlights during the EATA weekend. So, when second-year graduate student Joe DeSimone, Class of 2025, was crowned the District One student Quiz Bowl champion, it was a little extra special this year.
“It was very fitting that Joe (DeSimone) won the Quiz Bowl this year, and it was a great way to remember Joseph Altott for everything he meant to the AT profession and the College,” expressed Springfield College School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership Dean Sue Guyer, DPE’03, who gave the prestigious William E. "Pinky" Newell Memorial Address, and hosted a lecture titled, “Understanding and Diagnosing Lower Extremity Injuries in the Aging Athlete,” during EATA. “It’s always been very important to the College and to the AT program to recognize and celebrate our great history.”
DeSimone defeated student representatives from each of the athletic training programs in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. He will next represent District One this summer in the National Quiz Bowl at the NATA conference in Orlando, Fla.
“My experience during the Quiz Bowl was amazing, and it was an incredible experience to be able to display the knowledge that I have gained from our incredible professors,” said DeSimone. “I am thankful to be able to learn from some of my biggest mentors, Dr. Mills, Dr. Winston, Dr. Barrett, and Dr. Barnum. I have great pride in representing Springfield College Athletic Training. I would also like to thank my classmates, who have helped me grow academically and personally within the last two years.”
Bridging the beginning years of the AT program with the success of the current faculty and students is what helps make the program stand-out. It’s evident during the EATA weekend that Springfield College is very well respected by the EATA leadership, as well as by peers at other colleges and institutions.
As part of this year’s event, Associate Professor of Athletic Training/Coordinator of Clinical Education Brett A. Winston, G’14, PhD’18, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training and Simulation Coordinator Matt Mills, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training and Athletic Training Residence Director Samantha Scott, PhD’22, and Director of Athletic Healthcare and Assistant Professor Kelsey Rynkiewicz were a part of elected EATA leadership and committee positions.
Winston continues to serve on the NATA District One Executive Council, as the District One Secretary, while Mills chaired the EATA David Moyer Award Committee, an award that is presented to a team physician that has served the profession of athletic training as an educator and an advocate. In addition, Scott is part of the EATA Research Committee, and Rynkiewicz was a member of the Connection & Engagement Committee. Scott and Rynkiewicz also presented poster presentations at the convention, resulting in Scott winning the Professional Poster Award category.
One of the unique aspects of the EATA weekend is the opportunity for faculty to showcase their expertise and research to their peers, while also allowing current students to network with faculty and alumni outside of the classroom setting.
“I want to thank the Springfield College Athletic Training Club for giving me the opportunity to be able to attend the event,” expressed DeSimone. “I was able to network, attend lectures, and support professors and peers who were presenting. It was just a perfect experience.”
Current students took advantage of this year’s EATA opportunity, with multiple scholars being recognized for their level of excellence in front of their peers. First-year graduate student Andrea Samson, graduate class of 2026, earned the NATA District One Charles J. Redmond scholarship. This award is named after our very own Charlie Redmond ’68, G’71, who spent more than 20 years as the Springfield College head athletic trainer. Redmond was dedicated for more than five decades on campus as a student and faculty member, including serving as the dean of the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.
In addition, first-year graduate student Sara Crowell ’25, graduate Class of 2026, took home the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts (ATOM) College Scholarship, and second-year graduate student Jo Farias ’24, graduate Class of 2025, won the NATA District One Kerkor “Koko” Kassabian scholarship award, for their combination of academic achievement, character, and athletic training skills.
“EATA was an exciting opportunity that I was able to experience over break. Not only was it a time for me and my classmates to bond, but I was able to build even stronger connections with my professors,” described Crowell. “Additionally, I was able to learn from experts in the field and connect with athletic training students in the Northeast, and athletic trainers from throughout the country. I’m grateful the College provided me with this opportunity."
For first-year AT resident Grace Brennan ’22, G’24, this year’s conference was a continuation of the successes she enjoyed during her 2024 EATA experience. Brennan was able to present her case study poster in 2025, one year after finishing in third place at the 2024 Quiz Bowl competition, while also representing District One at the 2024 NATA convention.
“It was an honor to represent Springfield College, and it was such a valuable experience,” explained Brennan. “It’s rewarding to build strong connections with so many professionals in the AT field.”
Much of the work within the AT profession is about taking care of others, and it’s the strong culture of teamwork that continues the legacy of excellence.
“I'm also very grateful to faculty members Madison Whitney ’20 and Kate Dadio, as well as graduate fellows Cara Gustafson ’26 and Christa Carr ’23, G’25, who were willing to stay behind at the College during EATA and work in the athletic training room,” concluded Barrett. “With everyone working together, we were able to ensure the safe participation of our student-athletes in their competitions and practices throughout the weekend, while also showcasing our AT program’s tradition of excellence.”
